FB Silver and Gold benefits "evolving" from 28 March
Mar 6, 2023, 2:55 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 93
The news is that fees for paid seats are abolished as from T-72 (Gold)/T-24 (Silver).
I'm not sure how one arrives at the scenario. When they give you something that previously involved a fee for free, that doesn't mean that what was previously free now involves a fee?
I'm not sure how one arrives at the scenario. When they give you something that previously involved a fee for free, that doesn't mean that what was previously free now involves a fee?
Mar 6, 2023, 3:01 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,742
Mar 6, 2023, 3:33 am
#18
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 760
Maybe they'll finally be upgrading Platinum members to Business as a matter of routine if there is space available, like Delta do for STE/E+ (at least that's what DL often do for domestic flights, I was upgraded many times even as Flying Blue Silver!)
My partner has been Platinum for 4 years now and has only had 1 upgrade (on a short-haul flight) in this time.
My partner has been Platinum for 4 years now and has only had 1 upgrade (on a short-haul flight) in this time.
Mar 6, 2023, 3:42 am
#19
Flying Blue Director
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
This is my fear, too. I've emailed Flying Blue this morning to ask for more clarity, will report back once I hear from them.
I fear they may be giving with one hand while taking away with the other. If nothing is free before the "3 day before departure" window opens, it's a massive devaluation of the programme and forces elites to pay in order to have some certainty regarding seating - just like non-elites! The opening up of Economy Comfort is a nice benefit for me as a Gold member, but I would want to be sure I have my regular "front section" seat confirmed at the time of booking just in case I can't get one of these spots 3 days before departure!
I fear they may be giving with one hand while taking away with the other. If nothing is free before the "3 day before departure" window opens, it's a massive devaluation of the programme and forces elites to pay in order to have some certainty regarding seating - just like non-elites! The opening up of Economy Comfort is a nice benefit for me as a Gold member, but I would want to be sure I have my regular "front section" seat confirmed at the time of booking just in case I can't get one of these spots 3 days before departure!
The email announcing these changes should go out shortly.
Mar 6, 2023, 3:46 am
#20
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 760
I had a meeting back in November with KL/AF, they asked for my feedback.
Regarding this new initiative, I told them it is always welcome to enhance the content of each FB level benefit, but on the other hand then the integrity of Platinum status should be also maintained. Because apart from the PSL, there isn't really a big benefit between Gold and Platinum.
- You earn 16,6% more miles compared to Gold
- You have the PSL
- You have an option to be Plat for life after being Plat for 10 consecutive years
- You can select Y+ seats at time of booking.
Is that really 120XP or 66% more XP's worth?
So I said that Platinum level should get also new benefits, I suggested change award tickets free of charge, more award seats available in J compared to Silver and Gold, an upgrade certificate for long haul (2 for Ulti), 50% discount on festive meals. Just as some proposals.
Regarding this new initiative, I told them it is always welcome to enhance the content of each FB level benefit, but on the other hand then the integrity of Platinum status should be also maintained. Because apart from the PSL, there isn't really a big benefit between Gold and Platinum.
- You earn 16,6% more miles compared to Gold
- You have the PSL
- You have an option to be Plat for life after being Plat for 10 consecutive years
- You can select Y+ seats at time of booking.
Is that really 120XP or 66% more XP's worth?
So I said that Platinum level should get also new benefits, I suggested change award tickets free of charge, more award seats available in J compared to Silver and Gold, an upgrade certificate for long haul (2 for Ulti), 50% discount on festive meals. Just as some proposals.
Mar 6, 2023, 4:05 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 93
Nothing changing for standard seat selection. The only difference is that we are replacing the discount model with a 'day before departure' model, like many other airlines. It is true that Silvers will unfortunately lose access to discounted Y+ however Golds now have complimentary access to all chargeable seats, including Y+, within 3 days of departure. For Platinum members, their previous '100% discount' becomes 'complimentary at time of booking.'
The email announcing these changes should go out shortly.
The email announcing these changes should go out shortly.
Mar 6, 2023, 4:19 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 186
Nothing changing for standard seat selection. The only difference is that we are replacing the discount model with a 'day before departure' model, like many other airlines. It is true that Silvers will unfortunately lose access to discounted Y+ however Golds now have complimentary access to all chargeable seats, including Y+, within 3 days of departure. For Platinum members, their previous '100% discount' becomes 'complimentary at time of booking.'
The email announcing these changes should go out shortly.
The email announcing these changes should go out shortly.
) still on track for the next months? 
Mar 27, 2023, 11:58 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ZRH
Programs: A3 Gold, AY Silver
Posts: 458
I can't seem to select an Economy Comfort seat for free for mrs clifford79 even though her (return) flight is within the 3d window now. Has this not been activated yet, or am I doing something wrong?
Mar 29, 2023, 1:50 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 93
Today I could pick an Economy Comfort seat as a FB Gold member for free. These seats changed to "FREE" at 72 hours before the scheduled departure time and everything worked perfectly in the KLM app.
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
Mar 29, 2023, 2:00 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
Today I could pick an Economy Comfort seat as a FB Gold member for free. These seats changed to "FREE" at 72 hours before the scheduled departure time and everything worked perfectly in the KLM app.
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
Maby plat can move up until departure, but gold has to stick with it's first choice?
Mar 29, 2023, 2:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Kiel
Programs: Fying Blue Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Silver Elite, Hilton Silver
Posts: 101
Today I could pick an Economy Comfort seat as a FB Gold member for free. These seats changed to "FREE" at 72 hours before the scheduled departure time and everything worked perfectly in the KLM app.
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
However, since selecting my new seat, I've noticed that the KLM app and website are not letting me change the seat again! In the app it says "not available", and on the website the seat details are no longer clickable. Has anyone else experienced this??
