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KLM follows AF, no SWU/miles upgrades for M (only Y or B)

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KLM follows AF, no SWU/miles upgrades for M (only Y or B)

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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:10 am
  #1  
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KLM follows AF, no SWU/miles upgrades for M (only Y or B)

KLM has followed AF's lead, last week I booked an M class on KLM for IAD-AMS-BOM for next week - "O" class was available, my SWU was coded and I could see all my BE seats on DL.com

Today my itinerary showed both BE and economy seating outbound, I called the DM line and was told "the agent did it wrong", KLM informed us they will no longer honor SWU or mile upgrades for M class. The difference in price between M and Y is roughly $1500 (typically I book TATL M-class for around $2500-3000, now it will be $4-4,500).

The agent then told me I could be re-booked IAD-DTW-AMS-BOM and keep the same fare, but I could not stay on the IAD-AMS-BOM that I'd already been confirmed on unless I paid $1400 more to be in KLM B class (I paid $2400 originally for M class).

Last week I was on AF W from VIE-CDG-IAD when the end of AF upgrades occurred, last week I was in M-class and was able to switch to VIE-AMS-IAD on KLM, so this change appears to have occurred in the past week.

The agent said "KLM dropped M class upgrades right after AF dropped all upgrades with DL. We are in negotiations to figure something out, this is why the website has not been updated yet, it is a very hectic time for everyone trying to use upgrades".


(if this development has been previously discussed, please delete this thread, but this is the first I've heard of it)
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:13 am
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Mmmm, smells like Seamlessness...
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:16 am
  #3  
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Wow! I had believed that the AF "issues" were related to their treating PV as a separate cabin class, thus making one class upgrades a bit different than in the DL/KLM system with EC being just special seats. This is pretty close to the SkyTeam requirements for upgrades with miles now, at exorbitant full Y prices. Yet at the same time, KLM is eager to sell cheap upgrades to anyone from cheap fares on the day of departure, with no apparent preference for elites or those on higher fares.

I hope DL's resolution to this isn't a decision to drop M fares from international upgrades. I also hope that people who already have purchased M on KLM are treated fairly, whether their upgrades are already confirmed or not.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:17 am
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Ahhh yes, another hole in the swiss cheese SWU
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:20 am
  #5  
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I suppose this is what we get for complaining so loudly about having to purchase expensive M class fares for intl upgrades - that's not longer a problem!
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:29 am
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
I also hope that people who already have purchased M on KLM are treated fairly, whether their upgrades are already confirmed or not.
I just hope for world peace, which may be a more likely prospect.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:31 am
  #7  
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I think I'm in mourning.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:33 am
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My "fair" treatment was the rebooked me thru DTW instead of directly from IAD-AMS, so I lose the time spent on the connection and increase the risk of IROP or other delays by 50%. It was clear DL wasn't going to let me keep my m-class SWU upgrade on the direct flight unless I paid $1400 - doesn't seem fair to me, but I guess I'm biased.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:36 am
  #9  
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You'd have more of an argument if there were a DL operated flight nonstop from the Washington area to Europe. Many of us sometimes connect through another international gateway to confirm upgrade space.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:39 am
  #10  
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Originally Posted by cmcdanie
KLM has followed AF's lead, last week I booked an M class on KLM for IAD-AMS-BOM for next week - "O" class was available, my SWU was coded and I could see all my BE seats on DL.com

Today my itinerary showed both BE and economy seating outbound, I called the DM line and was told "the agent did it wrong", KLM informed us they will no longer honor SWU or mile upgrades for M class. The difference in price between M and Y is roughly $1500 (typically I book TATL M-class for around $2500-3000, now it will be $4-4,500).

The agent then told me I could be re-booked IAD-DTW-AMS-BOM and keep the same fare, but I could not stay on the IAD-AMS-BOM that I'd already been confirmed on unless I paid $1400 more to be in KLM B class (I paid $2400 originally for M class).

Last week I was on AF W from VIE-CDG-IAD when the end of AF upgrades occurred, last week I was in M-class and was able to switch to VIE-AMS-IAD on KLM, so this change appears to have occurred in the past week.

The agent said "KLM dropped M class upgrades right after AF dropped all upgrades with DL. We are in negotiations to figure something out, this is why the website has not been updated yet, it is a very hectic time for everyone trying to use upgrades".


(if this development has been previously discussed, please delete this thread, but this is the first I've heard of it)
The OP only says that O was available and BE seats were selected, not that the ticket had already been reissued with the SWU upgrade. I would hope that if this had happened, the upgrade would be allowed to stand on the KLM flight. Nevertheless, even in this case, it could be better to switch for free to a DL flight rather than risk having the upgrade be denied by KLM at the airport.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:43 am
  #11  
 
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Originally Posted by cmcdanie
KLM has followed AF's lead, last week I booked an M class on KLM for IAD-AMS-BOM for next week - "O" class was available, my SWU was coded and I could see all my BE seats on DL.com

Today my itinerary showed both BE and economy seating outbound, I called the DM line and was told "the agent did it wrong", KLM informed us they will no longer honor SWU or mile upgrades for M class. The difference in price between M and Y is roughly $1500 (typically I book TATL M-class for around $2500-3000, now it will be $4-4,500).

The agent then told me I could be re-booked IAD-DTW-AMS-BOM and keep the same fare, but I could not stay on the IAD-AMS-BOM that I'd already been confirmed on unless I paid $1400 more to be in KLM B class (I paid $2400 originally for M class).

Last week I was on AF W from VIE-CDG-IAD when the end of AF upgrades occurred, last week I was in M-class and was able to switch to VIE-AMS-IAD on KLM, so this change appears to have occurred in the past week.

The agent said "KLM dropped M class upgrades right after AF dropped all upgrades with DL. We are in negotiations to figure something out, this is why the website has not been updated yet, it is a very hectic time for everyone trying to use upgrades".


(if this development has been previously discussed, please delete this thread, but this is the first I've heard of it)
Actually, the issue occurred on the same day. The "M" note was also part of the 9/13 memo. Side note. The website (delta.blof) still specifies even KL coded "U" (just below M) as an upgradable fare.

BTW- have you received an update email from delta.com? maybe an update on the website? a note to the conversation from the green tag holders on the forum?

I can think of a target audience- any delta pax using SWU, or owning SWU. Want a smaller target audience? every pax who used SWU on AF or KL for the last 24 month should be notified right away. Every pax who redeems SWU and fly on AF/KL should be notified.

Honesty, and mutual respect. Collett Everman (C.E.) Woolman would have been crying.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:44 am
  #12  
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So I guess that makes TATL upgrade options now in the 4k+ range.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 8:54 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Sabai
I just hope for world peace, which may be a more likely prospect.
^
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 10:06 am
  #14  
 
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If I've understood my discussion with the elite line, Delta's position is that the web site is still correct for two reasons. First, they are allowed to change terms and conditions anytime, including after you have bought a ticket. Second, if there is O available you can still upgrade. It's just that there is no O to be had.
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Old Sep 25, 2012, 10:19 am
  #15  
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Correction: there is still "O" to be had on KLM, the change is that you must now book in B or Y to get it - M is apparently no longer good enough - afterall, who would expect to have the possibility of using a SWU for a measley $2500
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