I've had a Flying Blue account for some time now through Air France and have used it successfully with KLM and Kenyan Airways. When I booked a NWA flight from Singapore to Portland, Oregon I assumed it would be easy to get points.

Before I departed, NWA told me that my Flying Blue # would not work and that I should contact AF to ensure the number was correct. I explained that the # was correct and requested they just resolve the issue directly with AF. They did and an NWA agent informed me that my number was entered properly.

The flight was on Delta, and on the return there was a delay causing me to spend one night in Tokyo and one in Singapore. Delta provided a hotel for Japan and told me that an agent in Singapore would arrange one there. Delta did not have any agents on duty so I had to get my own hotel. I think we all understand delays will happen, it would just have been nice of Delta to provide a hotel. Anyhow, only one of four flight segments was credited. With other airlines, when this happens they quickly realise their error and have always been happy to rectify it immediately. Not this time. NWA referred me to Delta, Delta to Air France and one of them referred me to KLM (not even involved in this!). Air France needed the confirmation from Delta, however they insisted they could do nothing. At one point Delta suggested I open an account with them (this is how an alliance partner behaves?).

What seems should have been quite simple dragged out with Delta sending me emails stating they could do nothing but hoped I would use them again. At one stage they sent me a $250 credit - however I ran Singapore - Bangkok for a comparison and found Delta would cost me more to use that I would even pay with another airline: (SIN-BKK, $1,201 on Delta.com; versus $192.74 on Air Asia; $197 on Jet Star or $550 on Malaysian Airlines). Thanks folks.

The height of it was when AF wrote me stating that Delta had contacted them (yes, Delta who told me they were unable to contact AF) about crediting my flight, but gave them different flights! When I forwarded that message to Delta to ask why they would tell me they can't contact AF when clearly they can, and why they would not correct the information Delta gave AF - their response? They told me that I need to 'move forward'.

And that they hoped I would be served by them again.