KLM Flying Dutchman - Lugage handling with Trainstation Antwerp-ZWE

Does anbody know how the lugage handling is done by KLM when your trip starts at Antwerp trainstation??
I am especially interested about the return trip!

Is the lugage to be picked up at Schiphol when coming back?
If not, can one convince at KLM check-in abroad that the lugage should be tagged to Schiphol??
If not, than the only way to end my trip at AMS is having handlugage only.
Correct?

Of course I want to end my return trip at AMS while using the return trip prices of the Belgium market.

You have to take care of your luggage for the train segments, i.e. your bag is only checked to/from Amsterdam.

Please note that it is required to start your trip at Antwerp on the outbound as not picking up your train ticket will cancel your trip.

Gajan

You have to take care of your luggage for the train segments, i.e. your bag is only checked to/from Amsterdam.

Please note that it is required to start your trip at Antwerp on the outbound as not picking up your train ticket will cancel your trip.

Gajan

But at the return trip I am free?
I do not need to go back to antwerp and than return to my home town in NH.

On your return, you can take your luggage from the carousel, march out of the airport, and make your way home rather than taking the train.

Just don't mention to any KLM staff that this is what you intend doing!

Also take in mind that they have become stricter regarding collecting the ticket in antwerp, its not possible months in advance like it used to be, I think the rules are now 1 day in advance when travelling with the normal train and on the same day for the Thalys, I can check the exact rules when flying next time from ZWE.

Went to ZWE Station few days back. Ticket/check-in can be done only 4 hours before departure of normal intercity train, which I find ridiculous. :td:

What is the option to collect if the train leaves ZWE very early in the morning?

The problem is that too many people booked a ticket from Antwerp, without ever having the intention of beginning their journey there. No airline would accept that should the first leg be on an actual plane.

What is the option to collect if the train leaves ZWE very early in the morning?

Get to the train station a few minutes earlier (don't the ticket counters open early anyway)?

Edit: I believe the earliest KL trains bookable depart after 8 AM (?) so I would presume the ticket counter would be open by then.

Here is my experience what happened:

The rail counter agent informed me that they can check in only 4 hours before the train departure, which was no problem to me.

5 hours later, boarded the train and was dumped out at Essen because there was a problem with the overhead wires. NS provided buses from Essen to Roosendaal. Finally reached Schiphol an hour and half later than schedule after changing trains again at Leiden Central. Still with 2+ hours left for departure of the flight.

Tried to check-in for my KL flight on the kiosk but was refused, and thus had to go to a KL checkin desk. KL checkin agent demanded a stamp on the ticket where actually no one cared to check tickets and the fact the train terminated at Essen.

The train leaves at 07AM, while the ticket office opens at 0615. Don't think a very good option with such a short time frame and assuming long queue at the counter!

KL checkin agent demanded a stamp on the ticket as will as proof of travel

And what happens if there happens to be no ticket inspection on that train?

And what happens if there happens to be no ticket inspection on that train?

In my experience, there is always an inspection. It was only that the train ended at Essen that there had not been an inspection.

If, for whatever reason, a conductor doesn't pass by, perhaps you would be advised to go and find the head conductor and ask for your ticket to be stamped. However, given that you now have to collect the ticket on the day of departure at ZWE, it seems a little over the top to now request that the ticket be stamped (though, as I said above, this should in almost all cases not be a problem).

In my experience, there is always an inspection. It was only that the train ended at Essen that there had not been an inspection.

If, for whatever reason, a conductor doesn't pass by, perhaps you would be advised to go and find the head conductor and ask for your ticket to be stamped. However, given that you now have to collect the ticket on the day of departure at ZWE, it seems a little over the top to now request that the ticket be stamped (though, as I said above, this should in almost all cases not be a problem).

On the Thalys it happens plenty.
I flew 6 months ago from ZWE, no inspection on the Thalys, and nothing said at check in.

6 months ago is quite a while. KL keeps changing policies on day to day basis. I discovered to my utter dismay that they have now changed this to 4 hours, and are getting stricter with these tickets.

Just flew, and seems as follows:
Thalys tickets can only be collected 4 hours prior to departure, while the normal 9B trains can be collected 24 hours prior to departure.

Thanks. However, last week ZWE station agent could not check me in for my 9B flight and insisted 4 hours before scheduled departure of the flight (train).

Who can shed the correct answer?

Thanks. However, last week ZWE station agent could not check me in for my 9B flight and insisted 4 hours before scheduled departure of the flight (train).

Who can shed the correct answer?

How long before the flight were you?

I was issued my 9B ticket this week, 7 hours before departure and when asked was told that it can be done from 24 hours prior to departure.

Did the agent actually try checking you in? Perhaps he/she didn't even try and was confusing the 9B regulations with the Thalys regulations?

The problem is that too many people booked a ticket from Antwerp, without ever having the intention of beginning their journey there. No airline would accept that should the first leg be on an actual plane.

I don't understand why tbh. What difference does it make to the airline if a passenger turns up or not for parts of the flight? The airline still got paid, and now saves on fuel (if a passenger misses one or more segments) and the train company have more seats available for the no shows (if operated with no seat reservation).

Of course, no miles or segments should be given to no shows on the segments missed :confused:

Airlines price according to competition and demand, meaning for example in our situation, that although KLM can charge €500 from AMS to xxx they can't charge it for passengers based in Antwerp as those passengers can fly for that price direct from BRU, passengers from Antwerp would only use KL if the price is around €400.

Of course, no miles or segments should be given to no shows on the segments missed :confused:

But if you feel that the passenger should still get all the other "benefits" of the ticket, even if they decide not to show up for parts of it, why withhold this last part?

Just curious as to why miles/segments is such a no-no, in your opinion, but everything else should operate as if the passenger actually travelled as booked.

But if you feel that the passenger should still get all the other "benefits" of the ticket, even if they decide not to show up for parts of it, why withhold this last part?

Just curious as to why miles/segments is such a no-no, in your opinion, but everything else should operate as if the passenger actually travelled as booked.

I don't think it's a no-no at all; I'm of the opinion that if you buy something and don't want to use all of it, that's your perogative. Unfortunately KLM has chosen to gouge passengers out of AMS and offer much better deals for connecting pax... so they put these procedures in place to continue screwing us over. It's utterly rediculous that I can save €350 on a long-haul ticket by first taking a train trip down to Antwerp! If there was rational pricing then we wouldn't have to try and play these games...

KLM would say you're paying extra for the convenience of a direct flight.

KLM would also say that, in order to have any chance of attracting passengers from outside their core market, they have to make such connecting itineraries more attractive by making them cheaper (or comparable to) direct itineraries from those markets.

Why bother with these passengers, you say? Pure O&D traffic on its own would not be able to sustain the frequencies and capacities to all destinations served. By charging less to those who start their journey in the Uk, Germany, Belgium, etc, Amsterdam-based KL flyers benefit from more frequent services, and more destinations, than the Dutch market alone could sustain.

It's not just KLM though - many/most airlines offer discounts for those who make connections at their hub(s).

I'm of the opinion that if you buy something and don't want to use all of it, that's your perogative.

Missing a leg always means that the rest of the ticket will be cancelled. Why would that be different in the Antwerp case?

How long before the flight were you?

I was issued my 9B ticket this week, 7 hours before departure and when asked was told that it can be done from 24 hours prior to departure.

Did the agent actually try checking you in? Perhaps he/she didn't even try and was confusing the 9B regulations with the Thalys regulations?

I have no clue on that. The agent fiddled his computers and said it could be issued only 4 hours before dep. When I returned back, a different agent tried to check me, and she did this 4 hrs & 07 min. before the sch. departure!

No clue on what procedures NMBS (Belgium rail) are following and whom to contact on this 9B sector. What would have KL/AMS done if I had missed my flight due to late running of the 9B train?

Missing a leg always means that the rest of the ticket will be cancelled. Why would that be different in the Antwerp case?

The only difference is that it is a journey by train compared to flight (suggesting that normal rules may not apply) / before it used to be possible to miss the first train leg without cancelling the whole ticket.

I have no clue on that. The agent fiddled his computers and said it could be issued only 4 hours before dep. When I returned back, a different agent tried to check me, and she did this 4 hrs & 07 min. before the sch. departure!

No clue on what procedures NMBS (Belgium rail) are following and whom to contact on this 9B sector. What would have KL/AMS done if I had missed my flight due to late running of the 9B train?

Standard rules would apply. As you are on one ticket KLM would be obliged to get you to your final destination (and applicable compensation would be due).

Ticket collection policies might differ or be similar to THALYS regulations once after FYRA train gets extended to BRU from December, and existing 9B service terminated.

There are also plans of introducing compulsory reservations tied to a specific train, just like THALYS trains.