I frequently write about interesting executive appointments in the airline industry, but here’s one that hits very close to home…
Continue reading: There’s A New Head Of Flying Blue, And I Couldn’t Be More Excited!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I have never commented on here (but a long time loyal follower of the blog), but I had the chance to meet Tiffany close to a decade ago, and couldn't be more thrilled that she is taking on this role. In the 30 min I spent with her, I understood immediately the value she brings, and cannot wait to see the impact she has on a world-class organization. Congrats Tiffany!!
I am excited for my FB to be Super Funky. She seems ideal for the program and its loyal members
This is a joke, right? MY FAVORITE OMAAT WRITER IS HEAD OF FLYING BLUE?
No, this isn't real.
Wow, serious congrats. If OMAAT writers are becoming airline executives, is this your way of priming us that you're going to be the next Air India CEO?
Okay, it's real.
CONGRATULATIONS, TIFFANY!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!
It is so wonderful to see when someone's hard work and dedication get recognized, and recognized so publicly. You SO deserve this.
Wow, that's amazing! Congratulations, Tiffany!! Let's get those redemption mileage costs and fees lowered!
Holy big surprise, Batman! Sincere congratulations and much success to Tiffany.
Super cool! Funny enough, your new member emails are still signed "Ben and Tiffany."
I think I can safely say that on behalf of all long-time OMAAT readers, that is absolutely wild! Was not expecting that. Amazing update.
Well done and best of luck!
For all the positive engagement and overall good stuff that Ben Lipsey has done, it'll take a very long time for me to trust FB as a serious programme after the 70% increase on intercontinental business class redemptions* which was imposed without warning last year and which got precious little coverage in this blog and others. It's also really unfortunate that they've done away with zonal pricing for partner redemptions...so that's two areas where Tiffany can look for some relatively easy room for improvement/rebalancing!
* From 50k to 85k each way for basically all routes with the exception of the three countries in N. America.
This is great news. Congratulations to Tiffany.
@Ben; did you have anything to do with this? Did you whisper into AF Administration's ear?
It doesn't seem all that long ago that Tiffany was posting on the blog along with you Ben. I had no idea she was the brains behind points.me
Congratulations Tiffany
Your dreamhost site doesn't work either.
But congrats.
With Gilbert, now you.
I'm hopeful that airline loyalty is returning to its golden age.
And at least give us minimum 120 days notice of devaluation.
Tiffany is great and I cannot be more happy for her. Huge win for AF and loyalty programs as a whole.
Congratulations from all of Ben’s long-time readers, Tiffany. Many of us have spent the last several years imploring Ben to get you back writing pieces again, as we all missed your perspective, wit and sass so much. Now we know what you were actually up to! x
Just here to say I have missed Tiffany's contributions. I always ask about her and Ben never replies. Congratulations
@tiffany congratulations!! As a long-time subscriber and having had the privilege of meeting you a couple of times, this is wonderful news to read. Once you are settled in, if you are looking to speak with anyone in Asia for their perspective please don’t hesitate to reach out. I have some ideas. P.S. are you moving to Europe?
Congratulations! Fingers crossed for a special one day only paid status match to FB Plat for US residents on your first day! 🙂
Congratulations! Fingers crossed for a special one day only paid status match to FB Plat for US residents on your first day! 🙂
It would be sort of hilarious if she ran Flying Blue from Spokane.
Seriously, what awesome news! It made me smile. I still laugh to myself when I think of that wonderful post when Ben (back when he was the ultimate Lufty fan boy) dragged Tiffany onto a Lufthansa first class flight with hilarious results.
Wow!
Congratulations Tiffany. It's been a while since we've seen you around these parts. When I think back to Ben's feeble attempt at cooking, with your guidance. To this. Well done, richly deserved
I just got off a CPT - AMS flight in J. Please keep those sweet spots, not just for FB but for ST partnere too.
My very best wishes to you , and much success in the future.
Damn by the title of this article I was thinking the person in question might be Vasu Raja
Congratulations Tiffany! I remember sending you an email years ago!
Will Tiffany be living in Amsterdam or Paris? Hah.
Awesome. Have been reading for years and always loved reading her contributions back when she wrote a lot of posts. I actually have an ongoing FlyingBlue customer service issue that maybe she can review policy to help resolve.
I recently booked award tickets on an AF flight using FB miles. The travel was for two adults and an infant in arms in J. I had to book it over the phone. Our travel plans ended up changing, so I cancelled the tickets before the flights. The adult miles and taxes/fees refunded, but the infant fees did not. Upon calling FB, I was told I "selected" a fare that was nonchangeable and nonrefundable for the infant. The original ticketing phone rep told me the tickets were refundable, and didn't get into any nuance or options about the infant ticket. So basically they are saying I'm out ~$400. I'm still fighting it.
The policy change suggestion would be that infant tickets should match the refund conditions of the adult tickets. Even better would be allowing to book infant in arms with 10% of the adult cost in points rather than some opaque formula and cash only.
Congratulations Tiffany! Ben, you and Tiffany are so responsible for the bulk of my miles/points understanding and savvy, going back to when you first started this blog. You shared such a positive synergy and I always felt you complemented each other with your individual takes. It was during the Covid “zoom parties” that I appreciated being able to share and converse with you both, and at the same time feel that something larger was on the horizon for each of you. My gut was right, and I could not be more elated for the future of FB with Tiffany at the helm. I am so thankful for Ben Lipsey’s leadership and uncommon willingness to share insights and to fight for benefits for FB members. Good luck to both Ben Lipsey and Tiffany in their new roles!
A lot of Ben's involved in this story. Ben Lipsey, Ben Smith, and Ben Schlappig.
One can only hope Flying Blue stays ben-evolent to award travelers.
Way to go Tiffany. You are going to crush this and Flying Blue is going to be better off with you there! Can't wait to see your mutual success!
How did Air Canada lose its gem by letting Ben Smith go? It could match or beat the offer that he got from Air France? Unsure if Air France's Board of Directors members are selected by the CEO the American way. Maybe not.
I could not help giggling after reading Ben comment that Ben Smith is surrounded by smart people. Coincidentally, I read that after Trump was elected president, Michael Bloomberg, another New Yorker billionaire, advised Trump to surround himself with smart people. Trump's answer
was " I am the smartest. Nobody is smarter than me." Go figure. The country is in the rabbit hole now. The world is in the gopher hole as well.
Congrats Tiff! Been following for more then 15 years, its was great to Ben to mention some of thr trips and adventures you two have had, brought back some good memories. When you get there, please do something for the Canadian co branded CC, it seems dead in the water. Theres a lot of potential for it to be so much more.
How do I reach her. I have a long standing issue involving refunds for taxes paid. So far my e mails are just ignored. In my view Air France customer service ios terrible!!!
Congrats to Tiffany!
Ben Smith is a brilliant guy, no doubt. I first met him in a meeting at AC when he was a Director in Network - we had a great discussion and I developed a huge respect for him.
Very happy to Tiffany, Bon Voyage!
First thing she can do is roll back the chart topping international fee/tax structure on award Biz transatlantic flights ($600ish) but I know that won't happen. Second thing she can do is relax the tight belting on west coast/CDG Biz rewards which I know won't happen. Congrats either way.
I have been a long time reader here. I remember being Tiffany for the first time in 2015 at Chicago Seminars.
I asked her to help me with a point redemption. They took a time to tell me no that it was important I learn it instead of taking the easy way out and bring Points Pro. She wanted me to learn it which I did and will forever be thankful to her.. She is a leader, not afraid to say the tough things she does but is right and is a visionary. Looking forward to her running one of the better programs in loyalty so excited for her congratulations Tiffany
Congrats to Tiffany from a longtime reader. We’ve missed your more direct presence on the blog in recent years.
Flying Blue probably needs to ditch BofA for a “real” bank to really optimize loyalty from the credit card side in the US market
Great news. As I'm sure she reads your blog, it'd be really great to have a UK credit card!
I am so happy for Tiffany!!
I am 30 now and have been reading since.. well, Middle School.
Thanks for helping a boy dream for so many years
Kudos Tiffany! I met her at FTU Tampa over a decade ago and she was so knowledgeable and helpful! I've been a Flying Blue Platinum for several years now mainly so I can redeem La Premiere awards on AF and to hopefully achieve platinum for life someday. Yes I live in USA and do not credit any of my Delta flights to skymiles; but rather to Flying Blue!
I guess unlimited business class saver availability would be nice but a reasonable amount would be a vast improvement from right now.
Tiffany rocks and I suspect she'll shake things up no matter what. She's been a huge asset at OMAAT and I miss her writings like when she posted about the fairly short notice family trip to Thailand in high season while using points.
Unforgotten time spent together with the two of you on the Inaugural EY A380 to JFK many, many years ago!
As i am confident she is reading this blog, Congrats Tiffany!
Ben, you could not have surprised me more when I saw this headline. Nowhere in the world of likely names did I expect to see Tiffany! I had to re-read it a couple of time to be sure (blink, blink…). Huge congrats to Tiffany!
Dying to know if this means a move to Paris for Tiffany, and “parle-t-elle Francais?”
I’m a very frequent redeemer of FB awards between Italy and the US west coast. Would be great to see them lighten up on the fees. Also, any chance you can convince ITA Airways to return to Skyteam? I haven’t seen a single biz seat available to book to LAX or SFO since the my were absorbed into the Lufthansa “borg”.
Congratulations Tiffany! Thank you so much for the multi chapter Jordan trip report all those years ago, that writing gave me the confidence to plan a trip completely with self driving! And as the universe would have it, I literally saw this news upon landing in Amman to start my trip!
Congratulations Tiffany! Thank you so much for the multi chapter Jordan trip report all those years ago, that writing gave me the confidence to plan a trip completely with self driving! And as the universe would have it, I literally saw this news upon landing in Amman to start my trip!
FANTASTIC! Wonderful news. Congratulations Tiffany, you are awesome! Best of luck.
Wow congrats, that kinda hiring is insane and I hope she can bring brilliant ideas and increase their profit, hopefully not at the cost of us lol
What an amazing career step for Tiffany. I don't mean to minimize the work she's done at OMAAT nor at point.me but this is a whole different level of responsibility. It's hard to imagine an entity like Flying Blue even considering someone from the blogging world for a position like this so it speaks to the ability and professionalism she must exhibit. And, yes, it's a creative hire on the part of Flying Blue.
An exciting time at AF/KLM as well as they pull in SAS and maybe TAP as well.
Congratulations Tiffany!! I've missed your OMAAT contributions, hopefully Ben will at least do an interview piece with you now!
@ LarryInNYC -- Thank you for calling that out 🙂 . We don't talk about the business side of things in this space often, and I'm generally quite shy about these things anyway. But indeed, there is a lot of background operational and financial success that has to be demonstrated before a company like this gives out €1B in P&L responsibility.
@ gstork -- Yes, split between Paris and Amstelveen. And if all goes well Stockholm & Copenhagen eventually.
Je comprends un peu le français, mais je ne le parle pas bien. J'apprends.
Wow, congratulations Tiffany - what a great opportunity for you! Seems like a lot of the Flyertalk and original Continental DO folks are moving into the airline business. There's Mark Nasr, now EVP & COO of Air Canada - was one of the young 20 year olds at the DO's and one of Ben's X's, and former CO employee. And there is Scott O'Leary - now VP of Loyalty & Product at Air Canada - formerly CO Insider on Flyertalk.
This is - by far and large - the very BEST news I've heard in weeks! CONGRATULATIONS TIFFANY - FELICIDADES!!!! I was shocked to read this and had to read it again to be sure I was reading it right. And now, a move from Spokane to Europe will be super exciting! PLEASE, let me know if you ever make it to BCN (our new home) and would love to connect here on this continent!
Seriously, Flying Blue is beyond fortunate to have your talents. Your creativity and thoughtfulness are your hallmarks of excellence, amongst so many others. Bravo!!
Congratulations though surprised to read she was still involved in ops with OMAAT while building point.me. VC backed startup…you’d think big investors would demand full attention.
At least AF is insisting on that and Lipsey will be a good mentor with the private equity firm now involved.
Its good to see someone from blogosphere rise up to crazy heights. So Congrats Tiffany, even though i do not know you.
But do something about them high taxes and fees on award tickets.
I hope this is positive change, as it is kind of the fox minding the hen house, or something along those lines.
This still wouldn't make me fly either of those airlines or any airline belonging to DieTeam.
It wiil be very interesting indeed to see how she will work with european style employees. There is a unbelievable big gap between european an american labour relations. A sassy boss will meet even more sassy employees. It will be interesting to see if she can handle those situations. The CEO's of KLM and AF are european for exactly this reason. By the way, Rintel left a huge mess at the Dutch National Railroads and is widely considered a DEI/political hire.
I still very fondly remember the Jordan road trip that Tiffany wrote up and it firmly remains on my bucket list.
Congratulations!
"Je comprends un peu le français, mais je ne le parle pas bien. J'apprends."
Exactly how I start a conversation in France. But if you try - the French are more understanding and helpful.
After 4 years of French in High School - easy to learn to write and read - it is understanding conversation that is hard - they speak so fast.
Congrats Tiffany! I remember having such a good time live chatting during covid. I’m sure you don’t remember but I said my trip to Deplar Farm got cancelled due to Covid. Luckily I’ve been since. Look forward to see what you do with Flying Blue!
Congrats Tiffany! I hope you can start a trend of loyalty programs caring for frequent flyers again instead of just being down for devaluations.
That's amazing. She has the skills. She has the ability. She has the history. Flying blue chose wisely. Wishing her all the success in the world.
Congratulations Tiffany! I wondered where you had gone and now know that you were just behind the scenes at OMATT. Wishing you great success!
wtf dude. cant believe i just heard of this amazing news.
congratulations tiff. super excited for u. but even more excited for AF/KLM. ur involvement just 10x their CPP valuation. now i have to pay attn to this airline and partnerships.
i really believe u could change the game. just dont follow kerr x BILT.
i also wouldve urged u to help change their stupid expiration policy but looks like Lipsey finally got around to fixing it.
As an avid aviation geek myself and being in this miles and points game for over 10 years (I like to think I've gotten pretty good at this) I always wanted to use my professional skills to make the loyalty programs of these hotels and airlines better for the company and the customers. I am so happy that one of us miles and points enthusiasts gets to be part of this exact thing.
Tiffany, my heartfelt congrats to you. Also feel free to reach out to my if you ever want someone who has transformed multiple Fortune 500 companies and knows how to navigate many of the large legacy corporations.
Having Tiffany at Flying Blue is a huge in for us all! With Ben L and now Tiffany in these roles, the whole of points and miles is going to see giant steps forward. In retrospect the value add of having them in substantive roles is going to be so much more than we could ask or imagine! (Even better than a year of “unlimited business class saver availability”)
Just came across this article off another link. Hope all is going well with your new role Tiffany. I heard you speak on Brisbane a few years ago. Very inspiring. I also miss your articles. I still have your one on booking London hotels on points saved to my home screen!. It’s still very handy with the zones you identified. Cheers from a New Zealand reader.