Hello all,

Since I'm resident in the UK, KLM issued me £350 in two paper TCVs after complaining to NWA about a nasty NW flight experience late last year. Normally, redeeming these would be a snap, just call in and list your flights, make the res, and mail them in.

But since DL came into the picture, getting any value out of NWA paper vouchers has been a nightmare. I redeemed the first voucher for a DL itinerary several weeks ago, mailed it in, and had the ticket issued successfully. The second one was a bit more of a challenge, having spoken to 10 agents for about four hours who gave me differing excuses about why they couldn't redeem them:

First agent (NWA): Gets through the entire booking process for DL flights with the vouchers, then tells me I need to pay the balance with a US credit card. Bummer I don't have one.

Second agent (NWA): 25mins on hold, Supervisor says no KLM for DL, tells me to call KLM

Third agent (KLM): Yes these are valid on DL flights post-merger but we don't have access to DL inventory yet on our systems. Go to Gatwick, Heathrow or City Airport to redeem, or call NWA and tell them this. Supervisor confirms this both Dutch but in better English than the NWA people.

Fourth agent (NWA): KLM's statement was patently false. I mention that I had already booked another itinerary this way (giving the ref code) they say it was obviously a mistake and we're not here to multiply other agents' mistakes.

Fifth agent (NWA): Puts me through to MSP supervisor immediately who tells me in a surly fashion that I should stop calling around trying to get agents to make mistakes with my invalid voucher, and that it's not NWA's voucher so I can't redeem it for any flights over NWA's res line. I hang up on someone for the first time in years.

Sixth agent (NWA): Takes the res, makes the booking, confirms it and has me on my way in six minutes flat. I just mailed the voucher in and, if everything goes as it does last time, then I'll be confirmed in 4-5 days.

Does NWA not have a coherent policy on its TCVs and is the integration with DL and the way they interact with KLM really that spotty? I realize my case is unique and probably not that common, but still it's pretty pathetic.

Any other experiences like this?