KLM Flying Dutchman - SFO -> NRT no AF lounge access as PE

Hi guys,

last night(?) I flew SFO -> NRT. I was at the airport a bit early, which was good because NW first couldn't find my ticket in the computer (it was a paper ticket, and the lady hadn't handled these apparently), and then I got the dreaded SSSS which turned out to be great! I bypassed the entire line to get the extra checks; I got sniffed in a sniffing machine, the TSA agents helped me repack my bag. Don't know why I used to hate this.

Anyway, I tried to use the AF lounge since I'm a KLM/AirFrance PE, but I got turned away in a rather rude way: "This is a SkyTeam lounger for Air France passengers only. You are KLM. Go Away" -- "But it says SkyTeam on the door, and it lists KLM under it" -- "For information only. Air France only. We are a small loumger" -- "But there is nobody here!? and I'm a platinum elite with SkyTeam" -- "I don't care. Go Away. Air France only"

Haven't they heard of the "merger" between AF and KLM?
Haven't they ever been taught to be nice?
Anyway, what's going on here; I'm a PE and had a WBC ticket on a NW flight. I ended up using the NW WorldClub (which was even smaller than AF) and flew here.

Is the lounge in NRT any good; I am actually flying NRT->CDG next week, so I presume I can use some AF lounge here.

Eljakim

I think I would have demanded to speak to someone in charge and likely made a bit of a scene. That is ridiculous. You should write to KL.

I had thought of trying the AF lounge at SFO just to see what it's like, but I guess I won't bother now.

I can't imagine the Japanese attendants turning you away from the AF lounge at NRT in such a manner. But if they do, the WC in the new central building in Terminal 1 at NRT is very nice.

To be honest, I don't know why you're complaining about the WC in SFO. It's very nice, relatively new, and rarely seems crowded. If you don't that that WC, it's a good thing you were not traveling from MSP to NRT and trying the main WC in MSP!

Hi guys,

Is the lounge in NRT any good; I am actually flying NRT->CDG next week, so I presume I can use some AF lounge here.

Eljakim

I flew from NRT last month with AF and I have visited the 4 lounges. Use the big NW lounges, it's a really nice one. NW has also a smaller lounge used also by British Airways passengers. The Korean lounge is like the smaller NW lounge. Please avoid the really small lounge AF, it is a shame.

They were wrong. You had every single right to use that lounge as a Skyteam Platinum. After all, isn't consistency one of the benefits of forming an alliance?

You mentioned that the NW WC in SFO is smaller than the AF lounge. However, I respectfully disagree. I think that the NW lounge is a much better facility in terms of space and offerings. Maybe that is why the AF attendant referred you there in the first place.

The SFO lounge staff sucks. On my last flight from SFO to CDG, I still had to do some work - they literally kicked my out of the lounge 50 minutes prior to flight departure as they wanted to close early.

Quite apparently, AF customer service in SFO is on the lower end in the AF system.

I also have been refused entry at the AF SFO lounge flying KLM C Class with Sktyteam Elite+ Status. In French to boot!

They were wrong. You had every single right to use that lounge as a Skyteam Platinum. After all, isn't consistency one of the benefits of forming an alliance?

You mentioned that the NW WC in SFO is smaller than the AF lounge. However, I respectfully disagree. I think that the NW lounge is a much better facility in terms of space and offerings. Maybe that is why the AF attendant referred you there in the first place.

She didn't really refer me away... It was more of not letting me into her empty lounge.

Too bad you need to arm yourself with papers in such a case.
And even worse, AF-KLM is ONE airline.

Too bad you need to arm yourself with papers in such a case.
And even worse, AF-KLM is ONE airline.It's not only ONE airline, it is ONE FFP. You can't be only KL PE. You're always AF/KL. People in Paris should know this. On my very first intercont flight with AF ( was PE with KL before ) they switched me directly to First^ . PE is PE. No question where you come from.

However, this dragon at SFO has no right to stop you walking in. If you're PE and holding an intl. Sky Team Boarding Pass, you have the RIGHT to visit all Sky Lounges. Next time tell her, that you're going to buy a whiskey and send the invoice to her boss ( plus 5000 % penalty ).

I flew from NRT last month with AF and I have visited the 4 lounges. Use the big NW lounges, it's a really nice one. NW has also a smaller lounge used also by British Airways passengers. The Korean lounge is like the smaller NW lounge. Please avoid the really small lounge AF, it is a shame.

Brilliant advice! Thank you, I tried out the AF lounge a couple of minutes ago and people were smoking everywhere. I then walked to the NWA worldclub which is an absolutely wonderful lounge, free WIFI, spacious!

Thanks,

Eljakim

Next time tell her, that you're going to buy a whiskey and send the invoice to her boss ( plus 5000 % penalty ).

this will be really helpful :rolleyes: It is a well known problem and if you e.g. travel NW in C you will not get access to AF lounges. As many others point out, this is different with a PE card. Pointing out this difference usually gets me in and writing down the names of the dragons and asking for the mailing address and name of their supervisors is usually enough .....
Many AF lounges are really small (e.g. BOS) and they have a hell of a problem with accomodating the 40 C pax on a 747. I am sometimes wondering what would happen if 10-20 ST E+ were on the flight, the lounge would burst.

this will be really helpful :rolleyes: It is a well known problem and if you e.g. travel NW in C you will not get access to AF lounges. As many others point out, this is different with a PE card. Pointing out this difference usually gets me in and writing down the names of the dragons and asking for the mailing address and name of their supervisors is usually enough .....
Many AF lounges are really small (e.g. BOS) and they have a hell of a problem with accomodating the 40 C pax on a 747. I am sometimes wondering what would happen if 10-20 ST E+ were on the flight, the lounge would burst.

Interesting theory. But, the AF lounge at SFO still denies entry to Flying Blue Platinum members flying same day KLM, even in C class, and refers them to the NW lounge.

Interesting theory. But, the AF lounge at SFO still denies entry to Flying Blue Platinum members flying same day KLM, even in C class, and refers them to the NW lounge.

Yep, I asked in NRT to another traveller he had the exact same experience I had, including the rudeness of the AF staff.

Eljakim

If I got snotty treatment like this I'd write the customer service v.p.'s at both KLM and AirFrance (or are they one and the same person in the "new" company?) and tell them what was experienced.

SkyTeam is supposed to be one big happy family.

Yeah, right.


p.s. and the SFO WorldClub is really nice too (the WorldClub staff are always very pleasant and friendly and I've never had trouble getting in there, even when flying other airlines like Alaska Air)

Many AF lounges are really small (e.g. BOS) and they have a hell of a problem with accomodating the 40 C pax on a 747. I am sometimes wondering what would happen if 10-20 ST E+ were on the flight, the lounge would burst.

not only AF lounges .. .the KLM lounge at Toronto... didn't find a seat since all flights (CSA, AF, KLM, KE,...) leave at the same time. poor management and alot of angry passengers. AZ shares Maple Leaf lounge at YYZ - alot better :)

edited to add: I wrote Frederic Babu about that mess - SFO used to have the best AF ground staff worldwide, but that was a couple of years ago