While I haven't booked for others in a while, and I just noticed that AF/KLM seem to have removed seat selection from "Standard" economy fares for travel between the EU and US. Even elites (except for platinum) can only select a seat 72 (gold) or 24 (silver) hours prior to OLCI.

That removes any and all advantage of buting the standard fare over a light fare, as the only difference now is the checked luggage, which comes in at EUR 60 if bought seperately, so EUR 120 total, but the standard fare is EUR 136 higher than the light fare for that same return. Also, it definitely removes any incentive to select a routing on KLM metal for most passengers.

I really wonder what those marketeers are thinking? Let's throw our branding even further down the drain? As it stands now, you need to either book a full flex fare, economy comfort fare or be platinum to be able to do free seat selection prior to OLCI. Even non-platinum elites are expected to pay for advance seat selection.