Henry III

So, I got that urge to treat myself to a short break in February, to get away from the Glasgow Winter Blues (could be the name of a Jazz Band). I had a quick look around and decided that Naples might be nice (comments on a postcard, please!).

Being a loyal AFKL customer, I went directly to the KLM website, logged on and started using the new "Plan and Book" tool (the link is to the discussion thread of this). After some fiddling about, I decided I wasn't really in the mood to do battle with this new, bug-ridden system, and the best I was offered was GLA-AMS-FCO/LIN-NAP r/t, with the Italian domestic legs on Air One under AZ 7xxx codes (possibly not earning miles/segments), at £282 (decent price, though).

So I went to the AF website, which all will agree is so much less buggy.

Here, I was offered a very similar itinerary, for the same price, (£282 all-in) but with all legs under KL codes (and "Classic" fares, thus earning the full 6 segments ^).

Fine, thought I. So I logged on to my FB account and started again ... this time, I was offered exactly the same itinerary, but for £701!!! What a perfectly fine way to reward their "Most Valued Customers!"

Not to be daunted, I logged off and started again as a 'stranger' (no cookie clearing required, BTW). Back to £282! Once selected, I could log on to my FB account in lieu of filling in my personal details, and immediately I was offered the 'privileged' seats (EC) corresponding to my status.

Weird!

-- Henry

irishguy28

Flying Blue clearly recognises its Platinum members as people that have more money than sense - and treats them accordingly.

orbitmic

Colour-based discrimination: tss tss!!...

carnarvon

This would be worth a call to AF Web support asking for explanation.

If an AF official practice, clearly unacceptable. Un scandale dirais-je même.

bodory

I suspect that is more likely a bug than actual IP tracking : they are too bad at IT to set-up that.

brunos

This is not IP tracking as Henry III used the same computer for both search. This is FB colour tracking.

bodory

You are right.

Aviatrix

I can't somehow believe that this is intentional. Henry, have you reported this to AF?

bobsmo

Might not be IP tracking but could it be based upon residency? Especially when logged in?

mfkne

There have been reports previously of various airlines offering different prices on cookies being set. I for one have not been able to reproduce this behaviour myself.

Henry III

Tried again just now, just to be sure ...

While logged on to my FB account:



Then I logged off and immediately searched again (without even leaving the AF site and refreshing) ...



Consistent, at least!

-- H

ajs123

I think that AF is clearly trying to suggest that as a valued Platinum guest you should be flying in J, not Y and that every one else (i.e. not logged in) should greatly enjoy the sale/sucre treats in the Y cabin.

KLflyerRalph

I do have the habit to clear my cache if I have been looking up a flight for multiple days and am finally going to book it.

Henry III

Aha! I've spotted what's going on ... for some reason, when I log on, the 'Class' selector is always reset to "Premium Economy!"

So, I guess that makes it my fault.

- H

irishguy28

Oh, you naughty, naughty man!!

No white turkey meat for you this Christmas! Only dark meat!

And you will surely get a lump of coal in your stocking for your shocking and untrue allegations!!

Perhaps it's time for you to...