Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Quick Question: FB Miles on AMS-ZYR

Hi all,

Does anybody know for sure whether or not you earn FB miles and level segments on AMS-ZYR (by train) when it's coded as "9Bxxxx" rather than a "KLxxxx" number?

In the past, I've done CDG-ZYR by TGV on an AF ticket, but the train journeys were coded as AFxxxx 'flights'. In this case, though, a GLA-AMS-ZYR ticket from klm.com gives the trains segments 9B codes.

Thanks,.

-- Henry

Hi all,

Does anybody know for sure whether or not you earn FB miles and level segments on AMS-ZYR (by train) when its coded as "9Bxxxx" rather than a "KLxxxx" number?

In the past, I've done CDG-ZYR by TGV on an AF ticket, but the train journeys were coded as AFxxxx 'flights'. In this case, though, a GLA-AMS-ZYR ticket from klm.com gives the trains segments 9B codes.

Thanks,.

-- Henry

No miles unless KL-code (as the NS is not a FB Partner). Only the KL-coded (Thalys trains) earn FB miles.

So If I go ahead and book a GVA-AMS-BRU/ZYR (return trip) through KLM.com I will receive level segments AND level miles for the whole journey, i.e. 4 level segments and miles?

As stated above, only KL-coded (Thalys operated) train segments will earn in FB.

www.klm.ch only appears to suggest 9B-coded sectors on the regular Beneluxtrein. These sectors will not earn anything in FB.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2rnatl4.jpg

Funny thing is that 9B is the IATA code for Deutsche Bahn, the German national rail operator. I doubt DB operates AMS-ZYR though :P

In any case, you won't receive any miles for that segment Cupart :( If there is no possibility to book the train segment under KL code instead of 9B, the only other alternative is to actually fly to Brussels instead..

If I just wanted to get from GVA to ZYR, I would strongly consider going by train all the way. I haven't checked prices, but you can do it by TGV in 6hrs, with just one change in Lyon. Personally, for this sort of distance/time I find a journey by train much more productive (as I can board the train, and immediately find my seat and start to read, work, etc) than flying (having to reach the airport in time for check-in, go through security, wait to board, shut-down electronics during take-off and landing, wait for baggage, etc).

However, if (as I suspect) Cupart wants to maximise FB miles and segments, then you may also want to look at Alitalia (http://www.alitalia.com). At least in theory, they have some reasonably attractively priced fares for GVA-BRU, all of which would earn miles and 4 segments. However, flying via FCO is not the most time-effective option; you have to build up the routing using the multi-city tool (otherwise it just shows the KLM options); and you must avoid the code-shares operated by F7 (as they don't earn FB miles at all, being non-ST).

And of course, as Henry III mentioned, AF offer GVA-CDG-ZYR as well - with CDG-ZYR operated by Thalys (2H) and coded as AF, so it seems these earn miles and segments.

Assuming reasonable availability, I suspect the best balance of cost/time/FB miles lies with AF...

Funny thing is that 9B is the IATA code for Deutsche Bahn, the German national rail operator. I doubt DB operates AMS-ZYR though :P

9B doesn't refer to Deutsche Bahn; it refers to "ACCES RAIL" (http://www.accesrail.com) which makes rail segments/journeys (whether operated by Deutsche Bahn or not) available for booking to IATA travel agents on a range of GDS platforms, including Amadeus, Worldspan, Galileo and Sabre. The main exception are services operated by EuroStar - which has its own code, 9F.

Deutsche Bahn's IATA designator is 2A (http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airline/airlineDetails.do?airlineCode=2A), but this is of far lesser significance to a travel agent/on an e-ticket, where the code 9B will always be used.

http://i45.tinypic.com/2eyufk9.jpg

Thanks for clarification all. Highly apreciated.

Mon cher KQ321, it's a MR I'm trying to get together and at CHF 200 return it seemed like a good price to earn 4 segment over a weekend :(

Got a good deal to ARN (from ZRH via AMS) through expedia.com w/ KLM instead but still need to get a few more 4x segment flights ex. GVA or ZRH.

No miles unless KL-code (as the NS is not a FB Partner). Only the KL-coded (Thalys trains) earn FB miles.

Just clarifying, it's only on FB that you earn on trains with KL flight numbers, you do not earn on other skyteam members (Delta for example).

Just clarifying, it's only on FB that you earn on trains with KL flight numbers, you do not earn on other skyteam members (Delta for example).

I would think that you'd need each program's 'own' code on train connexions to get miles/segments in that program. For the AMS-Brussels/Antwerp run, I can't find any other SkyTeam airline that offers a train connexion (the DL website doesn't recognize "ZYR" at all).

There may be other train links avaliable around Europe, though, and also in the US. I know in the 'old days', CO used to codeshare with Amtrak on some NE Seaboard connections, and these used to earn miles in their program.

There is also, I believe, a Bus connexion* somewhere in Canada available through SkyTeam.

-- Henry

* And, as frequent CityJet travellers to CDG know, FB members don't get qualifying segments for the bus ride from the Terminal G parking stand to 2E. ;)

I would think that you'd need each program's 'own' code on train connexions to get miles/segments in that program.

Yes, it seems to be the standard among all SkyTeam frequent flyer programs that any sector coded with a "flight" number (even if actually operated by train, or the KLM bus between Ottawa and Montréal) of the airline that operates (or, in the case of Flying Blue, participates in) your particular frequent flyer program, you get credit.

But as soon as you take a flight on an airline which is not the native airline of your chosen frequent flyer program, then the rules is that it has to be operated by (and not just coded as) a SkyTeam airline (i.e. actually on SkyTeam metal - so no trains, buses, or non-Skyteam operating airlines!!!)

The notable (and much-grumbled-about) local exception to the above being, of course, UX-coded train segments operated by RENFE (see this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/flying-blue-air-france-klm-other-partners/1369224-air-europa-miles-flight-segments.html)).

-- H

There is also, I believe, a Bus connexion* somewhere in Canada available through SkyTeam.


To Ottawa from Montreal for example :)