On a side note, when I contacted KLM reservations this morning, they redirected me to KLM customer care. However, KLM Customer Care phone system requires the caller to validate his FB# before the call is transferred to an agent. The system only transfers the call of a current elite member.

When I was unable to be transferred to a Customer Care agent, I called back to KLM Reservations... and the agent gave me a current elite FB# to use for the purpose of "fooling the phone system" in order to speak with a Customer Care agent. It worked and it continues to work.

I conclude there is much contention and resentment between the KLM Reservation team and the KLM Customer Care team.

KLM Customer Care claims that they do not handle refunds, even for elite FBers.