I flew AMS - GRU end of september this year, GIG - GRU - AMS in october. I made
the reservation online, a little hesitant as i, too, wanted to have certain seats and
at the time of booking didn't know if they were available or not.
First of all, i discovered that, by booking the open jaw, my flights were booked in
Q and therefore i got 100 pct miles. About 8 days later, i happened to be at Schiphol
airport and went to KLM ticketoffice for a print out of the booking. Also, i asked for
certain seats and got 11C both ways, no problem. I believe that, if you FB number
is properly in the booking, every reservation employe should have access to the
preferred seats of your flights. Of course, in theory it is possible that all your
preferred seats are already occupied, depending how fully booked the flights are
right now. But the story about seats being blocked until check in.... i don't buy
that, except for emergency exits and bulkheads maybe. Maybe they confuse
these seats with preferred seats for elite passengers... I would call again and
ask for a supervisor if the agent gives you an unsatisfactory answer. Best would
be to go in person to KLM ticketoffice (see my story above). Good luck. Yes,
it is extremely important on these flights to have a good seat.
Sidenote: does anybody know if the connecting flight GIG - GRU, booked under
KL flightnumber, is eligible for level miles (or segment)? They checked me in in GIG
under JJ flightnumber, FB number was correctly printed on it but so far.... no
miles or segment credited. Should i take action or does it always take a few months
before JJ flights appear on the FB statement?