<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
Does anyone else find KLM's qualifications standards confusing?</font>
No. I think that something has gotten lost in the translation from Dutch. Here's my interpretation, reading between the lines:
Your Service Level depends on the amount of points you earn or the number of times you fly on qualifying flights.
Translation: You can qualify for elite status with KLM either on "points" or on "segments". There are a number of different ways to find out how many points a flight accrues, if you choose to quality based on points. If you choose to qualify based on segments, this info is irrelevant.
You can find out your 'Service Level' from the Points Statement that is sent to you, from the website (PIN needed) or by calling the FD Phone.
Translation: If you don't know whether you've qualified for elite status with KLM, you can check by looking at your statement, checking the website, or calling KLM. They neglect to mention that you can look at your card!
Your Service Level is reviewed every week to see whether you qualify for a higher level.
Translation: We run a weekly sweep to determine whether you've crossed the elite-qualification (Silverwing or Royalwing) level. If you've crossed, we'll upgrade your card. In other words, your new status will not take more than one week to come into effect after your qualifying flight/segment posts.
After 12 months of membership we review you Service Level to see whether your current membership should be renewed or possibly downgraded to a lower level.
Translation: Your elite status with KLM lasts for a year. After a year, we'll evaluate your account. If you've maintained enough flights to retain your status, you'll retain your status. If you've not met the threshold for your elite level over the past year, we'll drop your status to one that is appropriate.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">It doesn't seem like there are set mileage/segment levels for specific status, the way US airlines do it. It also seems like you can be downgraded at KLM's pleasure.</font>
There are set mileage/segment levels for the specific levels (and similarly, for the promotion). They're available in the KLM program guidebook or on the (members only) area of the website. I don't have my guide to hand, but I'll look it up when I get home.
Hope this clarifies matters.
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[This message has been edited by MatthewClement (edited 11-28-2001).]
[This message has been edited by MatthewClement (edited 11-28-2001).]