I just flew up from JNB to AMS, then down to OTP. I had an onward leg to a Romanian city, all on KLM or partner, but I did not want to use the last leg. All business class.

When I checked in at JNB I had a little discussion, but they checked two pieces to OTP only. In AMS I had to get my next boarding pass. I used the machine and it spits out two boarding passes, so I am still in the system for two legs. I go to the lounge.

Being a proactive, nice guy I sit at the desk and inform them that I will not be using the final leg, in the hopes of being nice and making everyone's life easier.

After endless blah blah on the phone, the older blond dutch women happily informs be that I should be paying a penalty for this action. I replied that Euro 3,500 was obviously not enough for a business class ticket, from a Gold Elite member, and I should expect to always pay more as a "high value" client. She really did not get it. I was pretty much speachless. She said she did not know how strict her colleagues in OTP were, but that I would have a problem. I said we should hope for the best.

Here's the mystery--my luggage, checked to OTP, did not come out of the carousel in OTP. I checked in, and found the luggage. Someone had put HAND WRITTEN labels over the bar codes, and directed my luggage onto the final leg.

I wonder if the dutch women's alert drove this change, or there was something in the original bar code? So, had I said nothing, would someone have made this change by hand???

I am thankful I have only one more flight with this terrible airline, then I have Gold for the next 1.5 years, about a half million miles to TRY to use, and I will take my money elsewhere.

Nothing they do really surprises me. I am numb.