Originally Posted by Aviatrix
There was an earlier FD scheme, available to residents of the Netherlands only in fact I can't really remember what it was all about, the only thing I remember was a wallet that new members were sent as a welcoming present
Anybody could join, as long as you remembered to correctly answer the question on the application form about the number of flights taken annually, which had to be at least four. The welcome gift was a wallet or a set of adapter plugs. I still have two sets of the latter in a drawer, but no wallets any more.
The program was not restricted to residents of the Netherlands, it operated worldwide. Members in the Netherlands did receive a Flying Dutchman magazine in Dutch. An English edition was sent to overseas members. Holland Herald was also mailed to certain members, but not all.
The old scheme was really only an attempt by KLM to build a database of of frequent flyers, or at least those who claimed to be.
Originally Posted by miles4all
I believe the scheme was called 'Courtesy Club' or something along that line. They specialised in gifts like wallets, suitcases etc.
KL offered Courtesy Cards to people they felt were important to the airline for some reason. Prince Bernhard was a member. It was an invitation only scheme. The only benefit I can remember is the wardrobe at Schiphol where members could leave their winter coat when traveling to warmer climes. There were plenty of other nice perks.
johan