Urgent: Lounge access at AMS - inbound C, outbound Y
Jan 8, 2011, 5:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
Urgent: Lounge access at AMS - inbound C, outbound Y
I am flying KUL-AMS-BUD tomorrow and was just checking in online. They offered me an upgrade for the KUL-AMS part for €270 which I promptly bought 
.
Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
.Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
Jan 8, 2011, 5:27 am
#2
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
I am flying KUL-AMS-BUD tomorrow and was just checking in online. They offered me an upgrade for the KUL-AMS part for €270 which I promptly bought .
Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
.Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
Regarding lounge access, you should be given lounge access based on the fact you are arriving on an international Skyteam flight. Just remember to keep you C boarding pass.
[...] lounge access is given on an international SkyTeam flight arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2C, or at Amsterdam-Schiphol airport, Dubai, Glasgow, Houston, Johannesburg and Toronto (in KLM Crown Lounges)
Jan 8, 2011, 5:31 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M, BA Executive Club, Sofitel Plat, Priority Club, Starwood Preferred Guest
Posts: 1,447
I am flying KUL-AMS-BUD tomorrow and was just checking in online. They offered me an upgrade for the KUL-AMS part for €270 which I promptly bought .
Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
.Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
Not a bad price actually, may I ask which fare class you bought your stretch KUL-AMS in?
(I am still trying to figure out if this "random" appearing offer takes into account the actual fare paid or not).
As to the lounge access, AFAIK KLM has an "arrival" rule, allowing J class arriving passengers at AMS to freshen up.
But as you arrive on the non-Schengen side of the airport and then depart from the Schengen part, I am not sure if they will also allow you in the Schengen lounge or only in the non-Schengen one.
Maybe you encounter a nice lounge lady and they won't object.
Please let us know what happened for future reference!
Enjoy your trip in J!
Jan 8, 2011, 6:20 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
I'm not sure what fare it is, but it was a super cheap one. I paid about 700-800 euro return inc tax for BUD-AMS-KUL over Xmas/New Year. Checkmytrip shows fare basis: TLSXHU
I have zero status and am not even a frequent flyer with skyteam - my 1st ever longhaul skyteam flight.
My mother travelled this route last year and was offered an upgrade for this flight thought she only remembers paying between 100-200 Euro.
Jan 8, 2011, 9:13 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
I have been told by quite reliable sources that on flights that are not full in the J cabin, the computer randomly offers some of the passengers that check-in online this upgrade facility. Apparently the random item was added to avoid people counting on it and thus deliberately buying a cheaper fare.
If the buyup from a T-class fare is EUR 270 then it's really cheap and the Airline gets some extra cash last minute whilst only have some extra catering expenses. Quite smart I think.
If the buyup from a T-class fare is EUR 270 then it's really cheap and the Airline gets some extra cash last minute whilst only have some extra catering expenses. Quite smart I think.
Does anyone have a link to the site where it says arriving J pax get lounge access?
Jan 8, 2011, 9:31 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M, BA Executive Club, Sofitel Plat, Priority Club, Starwood Preferred Guest
Posts: 1,447
Jan 8, 2011, 10:52 am
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
Does anyone have a link to the site where it says arriving J pax get lounge access?
AF mentions that it is available to
Elite members.
Jan 8, 2011, 11:12 am
#9
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
Here's a link where is stated that elites members have access when arriving: http://www.airfrance.com/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/aeroport/salon_presentation_airfrance.htm . Might be the same for J class. With some cutting and pasting you might make it work!
Jan 9, 2011, 12:42 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
As to the lounge access, AFAIK KLM has an "arrival" rule, allowing J class arriving passengers at AMS to freshen up.
But as you arrive on the non-Schengen side of the airport and then depart from the Schengen part, I am not sure if they will also allow you in the Schengen lounge or only in the non-Schengen one.
But as you arrive on the non-Schengen side of the airport and then depart from the Schengen part, I am not sure if they will also allow you in the Schengen lounge or only in the non-Schengen one.
Johan
Jan 9, 2011, 2:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 22
I am flying KUL-AMS-BUD tomorrow and was just checking in online. They offered me an upgrade for the KUL-AMS part for €270 which I promptly bought .
Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
.Now, I have a 4 hour layover in AMS before my flight to BUD and I think that flight is still in Y. According to the KLM site, (except from baggage) I have the full rights of a Business Class Passenger, i.e Lounge access.
Am I allowed to access the loung in AMS on arrival from a business ticket, even though my departing ticket is Economy (all booked as one trip)? I know that on Star Alliance this is permitted (same day international rule).
Thanks !
Great you've been offered this. From memory, I've only been offered something similar once flying ORD-AMS. On that occasion, they asked for €270 (or thereabouts) PLUS 20K or 30K of my FB points. I politely declined but couldn't help pointing out that FB Promo Award, Europe 1/2/3 to Dubai, in Business RETURN, is more or less the same. May have been tempted if my precious points were involved.
Am sure I would never be made such an offer with AF - the front would be chock-full of non-revs...
Hope KL/AF do away with their 14 day Business Class "good" fare rule (we seem to have it in the UK at least). The routes I fly tend to be barely 1/4 full in C. It's as if they don't want my money!
Jan 9, 2011, 2:42 pm
#12
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
I have been told by quite reliable sources that on flights that are not full in the J cabin, the computer randomly offers some of the passengers that check-in online this upgrade facility. Apparently the random item was added to avoid people counting on it and thus deliberately buying a cheaper fare.
If the buyup from a T-class fare is EUR 270 then it's really cheap and the Airline gets some extra cash last minute whilst only have some extra catering expenses. Quite smart I think.
If the buyup from a T-class fare is EUR 270 then it's really cheap and the Airline gets some extra cash last minute whilst only have some extra catering expenses. Quite smart I think.
On the KLM site http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/prep...ess_policy.htm it only speaks of departing flights unfortunately. Maybe it's an undisclosed benefit.
Jan 24, 2011, 11:32 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
The flight was full in WBC. I actually asked @KLM on twitter if I would have access and they replied within about 20 minutes saying they had double checked and I would.
Arrived it AMS and did not go to Schengen lounge, just went to the nearest one I could find (upstairs somewhere). Gave them my Y boarding pass, she entered info into the system and let me in. No questions asked.
So I guess this answers the question.
Arrived it AMS and did not go to Schengen lounge, just went to the nearest one I could find (upstairs somewhere). Gave them my Y boarding pass, she entered info into the system and let me in. No questions asked.
So I guess this answers the question.