Flying Blue (Air France & KLM) - Caught between FB and WP to move miles

My family moved to the USA from the Middle East this year. KLM's web site says that we can have our miles moved from FB to WorldPerks. So, the letter writing campain, emails, phone calls have been going on for several months. Some of the four accounts have been closed at FB, some are unchanged, (no consistency). FB's latest direction to me was to send another letter to their Canadian offices requesting the transfers, providing WP numbers, etc.
Today, I received an email from Northwest saying that they are no longer accepting mileage transfers from FB. So, I'm worried about getting stuck in the middle with closed FB accounts and no mileage credited to WP. In total we have over 200k miles to transfer.
Suggestions?

WP no longer exists, per se. The transition to SM is not 100% complete yet, so there are still some leftovers, but it will very soon be effectively gone. The WP to SM integration is complicated enough; I assume transfers to/from FB are not on the list of priorities. IMO your best bet is to follow up on the matter. I hope that you have saved copies of previous mileage statements, just in case. If a WP number has been created for you, then you might be safe. For WP numbers that have not been created yet, you're SOL.

I've lost track of all the emails, phone calls, letters and faxes to FB. Two of the accounrts have been closed pending transfer of the miles to NW/Delta. So, they are in limbo and the FB accountrs are shown as closed. Two are still open in FB and show all the miles. I have over 200k miles at risk here.

What is my recourse if the miles dissapear forever and aren't re-credited to either FB or Northwest/Delta? Is there any official agency responsble to keep them honest?

why did you wait that long :confused: You are telling this is going for months and you knew WP would be gone 10/1 :confused:

Now things are completely messed up. Based case scenario is getting everything back to FB. Let me tell you it is a huge mess to transfer WP -> DL, you don't want to add FB -> WP on top of that.

I presume you have all you attempts and communications in writing? You can contact the BBB and file a complaint against the Canadian Office.

I've been emailing for a couple of months. I didn't realize that the "merger" between DL and NW would impact the ability to move miles when we moved from the Middle East. I've got most, but not all of the communications in writing.
Do you mean the BBB in Canada might be able to help me?

It is a sad reflection on how conditioned many of us have become to FB 'service' levels that someone who has a problem is almost berated for not keeping copies of everything, for doing what the web site actually states, etc.

The FB position on transfer to WorldPerks, as stated on the web site today, is as follows

Flying Blue members moving from the EMEA zone to the US will be offered the possibility of changing their account to a WorldPerks account. This offer is only given to members if:
- They are former Flying Dutchman members, or
- They have flown a KL/NW joint venture flight (all KL/NW flights between North America and EMEA) in the last 3 years.
The membership level as well as the Miles balance will be included in the transfer.

The transfer is requested by Flying Blue:
- After notification of the change of address to Flying Blue, a letter will be sent to the qualifying member. This is done on a monthly basis.
- If the member agrees to the transfer, the Flying Blue account will be terminated and a file will be sent to WorldPerks.
- If the member disagrees or if there is no response, the member will remain with Flying Blue.

The part that I have emphasised in bold would seem to be key, assuming all the rest has been followed.

I do not envy your situation. I would go to a solicitor (or equivalent where you are). I would take all the papers (that I have) in chronological order, and with a clear statement of what happened (as against the guidelines I have quoted above). I would get the solicitor to write to FB to ask if the file has been sent to WorldPerks and what that file contained. The letter should note that you have tried unsuccessfully many times to resolve the issue, and that there has been little or no communication from FB, etc. I would ask the solicitor to indicate in the letter that it is hoped that the situation can be resolved without recourse to court action. The cost of a solicitor doing this in the UK would be around £30-£70 for a single consultation and letter.

If that does not work I think you only have two options left: leave it and hope or take court action. You would need specialist advice on this, as you may find that even if you win you have to pay at least some of the legal costs - and they may be prohibitive.

Good luck.

thanks for the suggestions. I've started by filing a complaint with the Canadian BBB. Hopefully, that will get them to take me serious and at least reinstate my old accounts at FB.
It's unethical that they would continue to offer to transfer miles to NW/WP on their web site, close member accounts, then let it all die on the vine.
thanks in advance for any more advice.