Here is a posting I am sure many of you never expected. Many thanks to Ozstamps and others who have sent messages of encouragement.
I am presently back in Europe, and this afternoon I received a telephone call from a manager of the Flying Dutchman Spanish helpdesk.
He introduced himself, and told me that KLM Flying Dutchman has just completed a thorough investigation of my case. The conclusion was that all my materials were in fact received in proper order and Flying Dutchman is granting me Royal Wing status immediately and (somewhat oddly) retroactive to 14 February 2002. I actually would rather have a prospective, rather than retroactive, application of it!
He also stated that my full United Airlines mileage balance would be matched at the conclusion of the promotion if I fly and earn the requisite 12,000 Service Points (which I have). The KLM points will post around 01 October 2002, which is 6 weeks from 14 August.
During our lengthy phone call he also mentioned that he is well-aware that I have aired my grievances here on FlyerTalk, as Flying Dutchman monitors every word we post here and has worked out who many of us are. This was welcome news, since it is the hallmark of good customer service (a start, anyway) to "listen in" on clients for candid feedback. This manager acknowledged that Flying Dutchman has not necessarily been up to standards in the past, but assured me that exciting, major changes are underway this year to make Flying Dutchman a benchmark among frequent flyer programmes.
I can only say that I am enormously relieved. Maybe the Dutch concept of "afspraak" still exists at Flying Dutchman! I continue to have concerns -- specifically, that it took FD fully 4 months to communicate to me EVEN ONCE that they had received my materials, despite my pleadings for information. Also, I have never experienced any of the benefits from flying as a Royal Wing member, and this was meant to be one of the central inducements and benefits of the Elite Guest Plus promotion.
When this status does come through and the points post, I will be affirming my support of KLM by taking more of my paid business there.
Horizons
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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~