Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Award booking tool vs calling Flying Blue

Hi all,

As I mentionned in another thread, I had an interesting experience recently where the award booking tool showed a lot more availability than the FB agent on the phone could provide me with.

Today, as I had not received my e-ticket yet, I called FB, and while I had them on the phone, I asked the very nice lady whether they had any issues. Her answer, 'Since you are a FB Platinum (not quite clear if she mentionned Gold as well), you will be shown more seats available than other members.' So I said,'But shouldn't that apply on the phone as well?'

'No, as this is an incentive for people to book online rather than calling.' was the answer to that. She did mentionned they have been having trouble with the internet site (like my booking being confirmed but no ticket issued).

In any case, it sounds like your best bet for award bookings is now the award booking tool rather than calling, while a few months ago it was the opposite.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

'Since you are a FB Platinum (not quite clear if she mentionned Gold as well), you will be shown more seats available than other members.' So I said,'But shouldn't that apply on the phone as well?'

'No, as this is an incentive for people to book online rather than calling.' was the answer to that.Did she explicitly refer to the W award bucket? In that case that would be the first time I've heard a FB agent saying she can neither see nor book in W. I can display W availability with ExpertFlyer and a FB agent would not be able to view it? :confused:

She did mentionned they have been having trouble with the internet site (like my booking being confirmed but no ticket issued).Yes, the "booked but not ticketed" issue has been reported several times now. That happened to me too in the past (especially with awards booked over the phone) and I always wonder if this is not more a "ticketing back office issue" than a website issue.

Hi Falco,

She did not refer to any particular fare bucket. She just said that the award booking tool will show more than what they have access to if you are Platinum.

As for their problem ... it helped me switch my booking from one credit card to another, so I'm not complaining ... and I guess it would have gotten me around the cancellation fee should I have needed to cancel the booking ....

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

on KLM there is also an extra availability for Platinum and maybe Gold (but still with the same booking class)
i am sure it can be done by FB agents but not sure for internet bookings

I recently tried to book a o/w NYC-AMS for two people (not including myself) using my miles. On the website I saw availability for 1, 2 or 3 people in Y and could choose the flight. No problem, as long as I ticked the "including myself" box. When I chose to not include myself, the award booking engine could not find even one single seat.

Called FB, they could not find one single seat on any flight that day.

I wonder whether they would let me book the 3 seats online, have them ticketed, and then cancel the one for me for 40 euro's...

I recently tried to book a o/w NYC-AMS for two people (not including myself) using my miles. On the website I saw availability for 1, 2 or 3 people in Y and could choose the flight. No problem, as long as I ticked the "including myself" box. When I chose to not include myself, the award booking engine could not find even one single seat.

Called FB, they could not find one single seat on any flight that day.

I wonder whether they would let me book the 3 seats online, have them ticketed, and then cancel the one for me for 40 euro's...

Are you Platinum (or Gold) ? This situation on internet might come from that you are not part of the trip as this extra overbooking procedure requires you to fly as well.
Regarding your question : paying the 40 EUR fee is of course totally allowed (unless you booked a web award) but you should simply try to book with a FB agent and maybe simply remind him about this procedure