A few months ago (end of October 2023) I flew CPT-AMS in J on KLM and was told at check-in they're in the process of switching lounges so for now J passengers were being given vouchers in the amount of $15 USD to be used in the terminal. Due to the very late departure of KL598 (12:35am) the only vendor open was a restaurant but the kitchen was closed and the only thing they had to use the voucher on were snacks and bottles of water & sodas. This also meant no ability to shower ahead of the almost 12-hour flight to AMS after a full day in CPT.

Last week I flew KL598 and told again at check-in no lounge for J passengers and given the same voucher. What's odd is that the Bidvest lounge that KLM offered J passengers for years was open until the KLM flight departed, so this wasn't a matter of no lounge open/available.

Is this KLM simply not wanting to pay for lounge access for their premium passengers departing CPT? Additionally, does AF offer their J passengers lounge access on their CPT-CDG flight?