Everything you write is correct.
However those same legal obligations apply in the UK (including EC261 which lives on in the UK as UK specific legislation) and yet the national flag carrier routinely pays out miles for inconveniences and legitimate complaints as goodwill gestures.
It's a way to keep customers happy and acknowledge unacceptable situations.
Curious as to why AF/KL don't do this at all. For what would effectively be low cost solutions for them (miles) to keep goodwill and ensure continued loyalty.
I understand in the US, the protections are far lower, yet DOT regulations do compensate generously for IDB and MC99 of course applies for international itineraries. Yet in the US, gestures of goodwill are incredibly generous.