What is Flying Blue UXP? Ultimate XP Explained
Flying Blue: Ultimate info · KLM: Membership levels · Flying Blue: Status & XP
Short answer: UXP is earned only when your ticket is marketed by Air France (AF) or KLM (KL). You need 900 UXP within one qualification year to reach Flying Blue Ultimate. Your UXP follows the same qualification year as your XP.
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Definition: Marketing Carrier is Key
UXP (Ultimate XP) is the metric used exclusively to qualify for Flying Blue Ultimate status. The golden rule: UXP is earned on flights marketed by Air France (AF) or KLM (KL) (official Flying Blue Ultimate info). This means the two-letter code on your ticket must be AF or KL, regardless of which airline actually flies the plane (the operating carrier). Partner flights marketed by Delta, Kenya Airways, or others earn regular XP but zero UXP.
The Two Point Systems: XP vs UXP
Flying Blue operates two parallel point systems. Understanding the difference is critical for anyone pursuing Ultimate status.
| Aspect | Regular XP | UXP (Ultimate XP) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Determines Explorer to Platinum | Required for Ultimate status |
| Sources | All SkyTeam partners, Transavia, AMEX cards | Only AF/KL marketed flights + SAF on AF/KL (official) |
| Relationship | Includes all UXP | Every UXP is also XP |
| Threshold | 100 / 180 / 300 for status levels | 900 UXP for Ultimate (official KLM) |
| Payment | Deducted at status transition | 900 UXP deducted for Ultimate |
| Rollover Cap | 300 XP maximum | 900 UXP maximum |
UXP Always Counts (Even Without Platinum)
A common misconception is that UXP only starts counting once you reach Platinum. This is wrong.
This has an important implication: if you level up to Platinum mid-year, your UXP counter resets (with rollover) just like your XP counter. Plan accordingly.
Which Flights Earn UXP?
✅ Earns UXP
- AF coded flights: E.g., AF1234 (even if operated by Delta, Virgin Atlantic, or partners)
- KL coded flights: E.g., KL5678 (even if operated by Delta, Kenya Airways, or partners)
- SAF purchases: Sustainable Aviation Fuel contributions on AF/KL tickets
Does NOT Earn UXP (Regular XP Only)
- Delta coded flights (DL...)
- Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda coded flights
- Transavia flights (even if booked via KLM)
- Flying Blue AMEX card annual XP bonuses
- Promotional XP (unless explicitly stated otherwise)
You fly New York to Amsterdam on a KLM aircraft (blue livery).
- Ticket KL642: You earn XP + UXP ✅
- Ticket DL9642: You earn regular XP only ❌
The UXP "Payment" Mechanic
Just like XP, UXP follows a "payment" system. When you achieve or maintain Ultimate status, points are deducted from your balance.
How UXP Payment Works
- Step 1: Check if you have at least 900 UXP AND are Platinum.
- Step 2: When you qualify for Ultimate, 900 UXP is deducted from your balance.
- Step 3: Calculate your UXP rollover from the remaining balance.
- Step 4: Cap the rollover at 900 UXP maximum.
This is the same "payment" logic that applies to XP for Silver (100), Gold (180), and Platinum (300).
The Qualification Year and UXP
UXP is tied to your personal qualification year. Understanding this connection is essential for planning your Ultimate qualification.
Qualification Year Structure
- Format: Always runs from the 1st of a month to the last day of the month before, one year later (e.g., November 1 to October 31). Official reference: Flying Blue Status & XP.
- Determined by: Your last level-up to your current XP status.
- UXP follows XP: Your UXP counter is tied to the same qualification year as your XP counter.
When Does Your UXP Counter Reset?
Your UXP counter resets whenever a new qualification year starts. This happens in two scenarios:
- Requalification: Your year ends naturally and you maintain your status. UXP is "settled" (900 deducted for Ultimate, remainder rolls over).
- Level Up: You reach a higher XP status (e.g., Gold to Platinum). Your qualification year resets to the 1st of the next month, and your UXP counter resets with rollover.
UXP Caps and Limits
UXP has important caps that limit how much you can accumulate and carry over.
1. Practical Planning: 900 to Qualify + Up to 900 Surplus
For planning, the key mechanic is simple: you need 900 UXP to qualify for Ultimate, and any surplus up to 900 can help you start the next qualification year stronger. The first 900 UXP goes toward qualifying (or requalifying) for Ultimate, and any remainder (capped at 900) rolls over.
2. Rollover Cap: 900 UXP
At the end of your qualification year, after paying 900 UXP for Ultimate, you can carry over a maximum of 900 UXP to your next year.
📊 Scenario A: Under the UXP Rollover Cap
Situation: You are Ultimate and earned 1,200 UXP this year.
Calculation:
- UXP Balance: 1,200 UXP
- Ultimate cost: 900 UXP
- Remainder: 1,200 - 900 = 300 UXP
- Cap check: 300 < 900, no cap applies
Result: You start next year with 300 UXP. You need 600 more UXP for Ultimate.
📊 Scenario B: Maximizing UXP Rollover
Situation: You are Ultimate and earned 1,800 UXP this year.
Calculation:
- UXP Balance: 1,800 UXP
- Ultimate cost: 900 UXP
- Remainder: 1,800 - 900 = 900 UXP
- Cap check: 900 = 900, exactly at cap
Result: You start next year with 900 UXP. You are already qualified for Ultimate on day one!
Rollover rules: KLM membership levels. Last verified: 17 February 2026.
Ultimate Status Requirements
To achieve Ultimate status, you must meet two requirements simultaneously within one qualification year:
- Be Platinum: You must hold Platinum status (requires 300 XP).
- Have 900 UXP: Accumulate at least 900 UXP within that same qualification year.
Official: "Unlock Flying Blue Ultimate privileges by gaining 900 UXP (Ultimate XP) in 1 qualification year" — KLM membership levels.
🛡️ The Ultimate Soft Landing Rule
Ultimate members have a special safety net that differs from all other status levels.
- The Rule: If you are Ultimate but fail to earn 900 UXP in a year, you always soft land to Platinum.
- Even with 0 XP: This applies even if you earned zero XP that year.
- Never skip levels: You can never drop from Ultimate directly to Gold or lower.
- One-time protection: Once you land at Platinum, normal XP rules apply for the following year.
Strategies for Earning UXP
Strategy 1: The AF/KL Purist
The Approach: Book exclusively on AF or KL marketed flights, even if partner flights are cheaper or more convenient.
The Trade-off: You may pay more or have less convenient routings. But every flight counts toward both XP and UXP.
Tip: Use the "Airline" filter during booking and select only Air France and KLM to ensure UXP earnings.
Strategy 2: The Maximum Rollover Target
The Goal: Earn enough UXP to maximize rollover (900 UXP after paying for Ultimate).
The Math: 1,800 UXP - 900 (Ultimate cost) = 900 UXP rollover. You start next year already qualified for Ultimate.
The Benefit: In alternating years, you can fly less aggressively while maintaining Ultimate status.
Strategy 3: The SAF Accelerator
The Scenario: You are 50-100 UXP short of 900 at the end of your year.
The Solution: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) purchases on AF/KL tickets count as UXP. This is often cheaper than booking a mileage run flight.
The Caveat: SAF contributions can be expensive per UXP. Calculate the cost before committing. A Flying Blue Extra Extended subscription also adds bonus XP (and UXP) from your AF/KL flights.
Is Pursuing UXP Worth It?
Calculate your "natural" UXP first. If you naturally earn 600 UXP per year and need 900, you are short 300 UXP. That is roughly 3-4 additional long-haul AF/KL Business Class round trips. Is that investment worth the incremental Ultimate benefits (upgrade vouchers, dedicated service, 8 lounge guests)?
If you fly primarily on partners (Delta, Korean Air), stay comfortable at Platinum. If you fly AF/KL metal heavily anyway, Ultimate is a natural next step.
Tracking Your UXP
The Flying Blue website shows your UXP total, but does not always clearly distinguish the source or project your rollover potential.
👑 Track Your UXP Progress
SkyStatus Pro separates your UXP from XP, with projections and rollover calculations specifically for Ultimate status qualification.
Track UXP Free →Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as UXP in Flying Blue?
UXP counts towards Ultimate status. It is earned on flights marketed by Air France (AF code) or KLM (KL code), regardless of which airline operates the aircraft.
Does a Delta flight earn UXP?
It depends on the ticket. If you book a Delta-operated flight with an AF or KL flight number (codeshare), you earn UXP. If you book it with a DL flight number, you earn XP but zero UXP.
Do I pay UXP for Ultimate status?
Yes. When you qualify for Ultimate, 900 UXP is deducted from your balance. Any remaining UXP (up to 900) rolls over to your next qualification year.
How many UXP do I need for Flying Blue Ultimate?
You need 900 UXP within one qualification year. You must also be Platinum (300 XP) in that same year.
Official References
- Flying Blue Ultimate info — UXP definition, AF/KL marketing rule
- KLM Membership Levels — 900 UXP threshold, rollover rules
- Flying Blue Status & XP — Qualification year structure, XP earning
- Flying Blue Terms & Conditions (PDF) — Full program rules