An EC seat shows as available on DL web site. But it can't be selected because it's "under airport control". I get to my departure airport when the counter first opens for check in and ask for the "seat that is under airport control" only to be told it's been assigned. How does a FB flyer get an EC seat that is supposedly under airport control and a DM can't?
__________________
My favorite saying at the SkyClub: "Thank you sir, may I have another" DM Charter Member 2010, KM Charter Member 2011
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 19,606
Quote:
Originally Posted by DHG(Th)
An EC seat shows as available on DL web site. But it can't be selected because it's "under airport control". I get to my departure airport when the counter first opens for check in and ask for the "seat that is under airport control" only to be told it's been assigned. How does a FB flyer get an EC seat that is supposedly under airport control and a DM can't?
Maybe the passenger who received the seat checked in earlier for some connecting flight from a different airport? Just guessing......Also, note that KLM seat maps on delta.dumb shouldn't be trusted, nor anything that a DL agent says about seating on KLM or AF. Did you check the seat map through klm.com? If so and you saw an empty EC seat, you could have tried to book it there, using your KLM PNR and, if that didn't work, calling KLM.
To your more general statement in the thread title, note that airlines aren't obligated to treat partner elites equal to they way they treat their own elites unless the situation is explicitly covered in the T&C of the FF programs or in the alliance rules. For example, DL doesn't upgrade FB (KLM/AF) Plats at the same time as DL PMs are upgraded.
__________________
Check out the new External Miles and Points Resources forum.
Although OP's example has nothing to do with his title thread because he has no idea what the circumstances were of the seat assignment in question, the fact is that I can't think of a carrier which treats other carriers' elites the same as its own elites. It's called competition which most think is a good thing!
To be clear, it was a Delta aircraft, Delta flight crew, and a Delta PNR. The only thing non-Delta was the ground crew handling the flight. When I went to DL.com to check in, it redirected me to KLM. I didn't have a KLM PNR.
__________________
My favorite saying at the SkyClub: "Thank you sir, may I have another" DM Charter Member 2010, KM Charter Member 2011
To be clear, it was a Delta aircraft, Delta flight crew, and a Delta PNR. The only thing non-Delta was the ground crew handling the flight. When I went to DL.com to check in, it redirected me to KLM. I didn't have a KLM PNR.
A few questions:
a. Was this at an international/ non USA airport station?
I have experienced this problem and calling into DL DM line has given me the seat I wanted. (if you have wifi access to the internet, then calling the DL 1-800 number is free of charge through skype.
b. If this was a result of trying to do OLCI .... when at a non US airport city ... this also can be an issue .... as delta.com automatically directs one to the klm.com website and even if I try to check-in I get an error ... and need to physically check-in at the airport.
The most optimal solution:
Call DL DM or ELITE medallion line using skype ... free of charge and solve most problems before getting to the airport to physically check-in.
I have found this works best and limits any issues and makes the physical check-in process much smoother and more peasant.
Programs: Feels like FO (DL DM, CO-G, United PE) - by choice!
Posts: 1,434
Quote:
Originally Posted by DHG(Th)
To be clear, it was a Delta aircraft, Delta flight crew, and a Delta PNR. The only thing non-Delta was the ground crew handling the flight. When I went to DL.com to check in, it redirected me to KLM. I didn't have a KLM PNR.
I can totally relate to that - I am travelling through CDG tomorrow and have already had to call DL and AF for a seat issue. I was seated in the first row of EC on DL metal until the flight was put under "airport control" in CDG. Minutes later, at online checkin, I was moved to a middle seat in regular Y. I got an EC seat back, however, not the really good one I had before. Experience shows an unusual high number of FB Elites in those bumped seats ...
I also reported earlier today in another thread that the luggage "bug" is back - when checking in AF is trying very hard to charge you for the second bag. Yes for the very bag that is free for ST E/E+ according to the rules of ALL JV carriers, AF, KL, DL, and Alitalia. Even their online checkin tool, correctly working in the past, is now trying to charge you at least $54.
Next example is that DL pax wont get SP printed on their BP on certain outstations for the feeder flights. I have not had a single BP printed in TXL in 2012 that correctly reflected my status. It's cool to enjoy the regular massive ine (TXL is totally overwhelmed since the BER disaster), while the FB Silvers are passing you left and right.
One of my family members had endured an emergency landing with KLM en-route to AMS on Nov., 1st. KLM totally refused to service her because (freely transalted: "she was a DL passenger and Dl should deal with her". Granted, she is "just" a ST E and not E+ but it shows how tight this alliance is ...
__________________ DL '12 SEG'S 38 MQM 137000 CO|UA '12 EQM 2000 - Loyalty should go both ways but DL is trying the one way street on me.
From my experience yesterday, DL medallions will not be treated the same as a Flying Blue member, even though both carriers are "Partners".
This be true, but it is not just AF/KL. IME it is all ST partners. Throw away your Diamond tags, to them you are just STE+, if they at least recognize that. In other words, you are nothing more than a Gold Medallion to them.
As a person who travels a lot on ST partners and in particular KLM I say I get better treatment as a DM on KLM. Great me by name many times the first time they serve. Burser comes by and says thanks for being a ST Elite. FAs are usually more freindly and act like they care you are on their flight in and out of AMS.. notice difference once get on DL AMS-ATL. Most airports treat you as an elite.. I said MOST. AF isn't as much this way but still decent.
NEVER trust DL.com for seats on ST partners!!
None of them are perfect.
BTW ask a FB elite+ how they are treated on DL... I think we as DL SM are better off.
__________________ Delta.. Fix your award booking!
Last edited by gatechange; Dec 15, 12 at 6:34 pm..
Reason: Added
Just to put this out there.. Delta departures handled by KLM at international stations utilize KLM's computer systems for check-in/boarding/etc, which is why there are issues with seats, etc..
As a person who travels a lot on ST partners and in particular KLM I say I get better treatment as a DM on KLM. Great me by name many times the first time they serve. Burser comes by and says thanks for being a ST Elite. FAs are usually more freindly and act like they care you are on their flight in and out of AMS.. notice difference once get on DL AMS-ATL. Most airports treat you as an elite.. I said MOST. AF isn't as much this way but still decent.
NEVER trust DL.com for seats on ST partners!!
None of them are perfect.
BTW ask a FB elite+ how they are treated on DL... I think we as DL SM are better off.
+1 I receive excellent treatment from KLM. They thank me for being a DM, point me to an empty row if I want, give me a free dink now and then. No complaints here
I do not want to come off as being difficult as I am really interested in knowing the answer. Can someone please explain why Skyteam/codeshare airlines should recognize your status beyond Skyteam Elite/Elite Plus?
I understand these airlines place their own frequent flyers ahead of their partner airlines and I think this is fair. I know I wouldn't want another airline's elites going ahead of me on the upgrade list for example.
KLM will treat a Medallion differently
