Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Award Availability for Elites for 15% Premium

I understand that as of April 1st, FB elite members are able to access more seats for reward flights than Ivory members for a premium of 15% of the classic reward miles.

I called Flying Blue yesterday requesting this award for a ticket from YVR-CPH (for an itinerary shorter than what I have now, which is YVR-IAH-AMS-CPH). The agent at first did not know what I was talking about when I mentioned this special award for elites.

After he looked into it, he told me that:

-This special award currently allows the agent to book awards for elites in W class on Air France flights (by having access this W fare, elites have more access to award seats). I asked him if this special award category allows increased access to seats for KLM as well, but he mentioned that right now he can only access it for AF.

-He mentioned that for KLM, there is no increased availability for elites, because before the introduction of this award category, FB was booking classic award tickets in W class on KLM.

Does anyone know whether this award will allow me to have increased access to KLM flights for 15% premium? What about on other Sky Team partners, like NW/DL? Has anyone managed to successfully book a FB award ticket for a 15% bonus and get seats that are not available as a classic award?

I understand that as of April 1st, FB elite members are able to access more seats for reward flights than Ivory members for a premium of 15% of the classic reward miles.

I called Flying Blue yesterday requesting this award for a ticket from YVR-CPH (for an itinerary shorter than what I have now, which is YVR-IAH-AMS-CPH). The agent at first did not know what I was talking about when I mentioned this special award for elites.

After he looked into it, he told me that:

-This special award currently allows the agent to book awards for elites in W class on Air France flights (by having access this W fare, elites have more access to award seats). I asked him if this special award category allows increased access to seats for KLM as well, but he mentioned that right now he can only access it for AF.

-He mentioned that for KLM, there is no increased availability for elites, because before the introduction of this award category, FB was booking classic award tickets in W class on KLM.

Does anyone know whether this award will allow me to have increased access to KLM flights for 15% premium? What about on other Sky Team partners, like NW/DL? Has anyone managed to successfully book a FB award ticket for a 15% bonus and get seats that are not available as a classic award?

These special awards allready existed on Air France, and for a long time. Many of us have used it in the past and it was straightforward and convenient. The only difference is that they were free, while you now have to pay an extra 15%. They have not introduced any new destinations (for Biz awards only TATL as before). So why should they introduce them for KL?

Yes, unfortunately this is yet another 'enhancement' of the FB programme, but in reality a further devaluation of Elite benefits....

Yes, the devaluation continues - there is nothing stopping AFKL from making all seats 15% more expensive under the guise that they are doing us a favor for making "more" seats available.

another horrible anhancement for FB Elites :mad:
I wonder if the secret C-class awards for PEs on KL still exist :eek: