I swear I have posted this 100 times on this forum.

Everybody says "Y = 15k and B = 30k". This is simply NOT true 100% of the time.

There are transatlantic B fares that can be upgraded for 15k each way. They do exist. I have done this. Numerous times. B2US and B5GB are two examples. These are fully changeable and fully refundable B fares.

So, yes the OP has a valid complaint if he requested "full B fares that can be upgraded for 15k." In theory anyway.

In practice, I have found that 3/4 of the WPSC agents I've dealt with don't know that there are B fares that can be upgraded for 15k. I have bought B2US fares and asked them to be upgraded to be told that it will cost me 30k. I have asked the agent to re-read the rules for this specific fare basis code, and they have come stating, "Wow, I've never seen that before, you CAN upgrade it for 15k!"

I have also searched for mileage upgrades online and nwa.com has returned B fare basis codes requiring 30k miles for the upgrade, but when I called and queried this the fares were upgraded for 15k miles.

So, if most WPSC agents don't know this, your chances of finding a Schiphol transfer desk agent that knows this are somewhere between Slim and None.

I have personally done upgrades at KL outstations and signed the xeroxed form that that authorises 15k miles to be deducted on a discount B fare. I didn't complain when 30k came out because I knew this was a discounted B fare.

However, your situation is different. You specifically asked for something that does exist and you didn't get it. If you paid $1500+ for these one-way fares, I suspect that they WERE 15k upgradeable B fares. I've never seen a 15k upgradeable B for less than $2400 round-trip so you're in the ball park.

I would escalate this.

Caveat Emptor: it's been at least a year since I last bought a 15k upgradeable B fare, so it's possible the rules have changed.