Buying basic economy Air France/KLM fares from OTA as a DL Diamond?
Mar 7, 2023, 3:22 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 93
Not sure. I know Virgin lets their eiltes (Flying Club Silver & Gold) choose standard seats in Economy Light, so one would hope that they will be recognising STE/E+ status and allowing them to do the same.
Last edited by Tim_94; Mar 7, 2023 at 3:27 am
Mar 7, 2023, 4:29 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
It is indeed a fairly recent change though I don't know exactly when. And again not being a SkyMiles member I don't know exactly how the earning there works for such fares. Reading what DL has to say about it, it should be a KL-marketed fare operated by a SkyTeam partner airline (DL) so I believe it *should* earn. But it's also possible they book into a fare class that isn't listed and so don't earn.
Caveat: many non-stop flights between AMS and the US on DL metal, while ticketed by KL, are in fact DL-coded and thus would probably earn according to DL's standard rules for DL-marketed flights, meaning that booking into Basic Economy would not be eligible for earning.
So generally speaking I'd avoid AFKL 'Light' fares if they are operated by DL.
Caveat: many non-stop flights between AMS and the US on DL metal, while ticketed by KL, are in fact DL-coded and thus would probably earn according to DL's standard rules for DL-marketed flights, meaning that booking into Basic Economy would not be eligible for earning.
So generally speaking I'd avoid AFKL 'Light' fares if they are operated by DL.
Regarding the DL coded flights when booked via KL/AF: i was NEVER able to get the TATL segments as DL coded, always the AF/KL code share flight numbers. Only domestic US segments might book as DL coded ( if there is no code share number for that flight ). Also they can't book into basic economy with Delta as Delta only books "E" into basic eco, a fare class not sold by AF/KL
Mar 7, 2023, 4:35 am
#18
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Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
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Interesting, when did that change? My last TATL flight on DL metal using a KLM light fare mid-february was business as usual. No Y+ upgrades on the DL flight untill day of depature, earnings like always. Just did a dummy booking fo a flight mid march AMS-NYC including an DL segment on a light fare: nothing changed.
Regarding the DL coded flights when booked via KL/AF: i was NEVER able to get the TATL segments as DL coded, always the AF/KL code share flight numbers. Only domestic US segments might book as DL coded ( if there is no code share number for that flight ). Also they can't book into basic economy with Delta as Delta only books "E" into basic eco, a fare class not sold by AF/KL
Regarding the DL coded flights when booked via KL/AF: i was NEVER able to get the TATL segments as DL coded, always the AF/KL code share flight numbers. Only domestic US segments might book as DL coded ( if there is no code share number for that flight ). Also they can't book into basic economy with Delta as Delta only books "E" into basic eco, a fare class not sold by AF/KL
Mar 7, 2023, 4:38 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 93
Interesting, when did that change? My last TATL flight on DL metal using a KLM light fare mid-february was business as usual. No Y+ upgrades on the DL flight untill day of depature, earnings like always. Just did a dummy booking fo a flight mid march AMS-NYC including an DL segment on a light fare: nothing changed.
Regarding the DL coded flights when booked via KL/AF: i was NEVER able to get the TATL segments as DL coded, always the AF/KL code share flight numbers. Only domestic US segments might book as DL coded ( if there is no code share number for that flight ). Also they can't book into basic economy with Delta as Delta only books "E" into basic eco, a fare class not sold by AF/KL
Regarding the DL coded flights when booked via KL/AF: i was NEVER able to get the TATL segments as DL coded, always the AF/KL code share flight numbers. Only domestic US segments might book as DL coded ( if there is no code share number for that flight ). Also they can't book into basic economy with Delta as Delta only books "E" into basic eco, a fare class not sold by AF/KL
Mar 7, 2023, 6:37 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
Seems to be a case of "YMMV". I've just tried to book a BER-NYC flight for april 28th-30th on the german KLM site, no chance to pick any DL coded flight. Everything is KL coded. Light fares book into N/L/U as usual.
Same on the AF site: AF coded flights only, including all DL operated flights. No change visible here.
Same on the AF site: AF coded flights only, including all DL operated flights. No change visible here.
Mar 7, 2023, 6:54 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA PE, HH Gold
Posts: 1,080
When you buy a Light fare from AF/KL ( 057/074 ticket ) you will have free seat selection on Delta operated flights - in main cabin only. No upgrades into Y+ even for Diamonds untill DoD as you technical on a KLM flight. Earnings will be as usual as the light fares book in to L/N/U/V fare buckets and not into "E" which is the one that earns nothing with Skymiles.
When you buy a basic economy fare with DL ( 006 ticket ) you will be out of luck as an Skymiles member, no seat selection, no earnings ( but free luggage based on your STE+ status ).
Mar 7, 2023, 7:38 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,063
Seems to be a case of "YMMV". I've just tried to book a BER-NYC flight for april 28th-30th on the german KLM site, no chance to pick any DL coded flight. Everything is KL coded. Light fares book into N/L/U as usual.
Same on the AF site: AF coded flights only, including all DL operated flights. No change visible here.
Same on the AF site: AF coded flights only, including all DL operated flights. No change visible here.
Your examples involve a connection which is a situation that does book onto KL-coded flights. Look up non-stop flights from AMS (or CDG) to the US with no connecting flight in the US either and you will find them DL-marketed. For example, AMS-JFK on DL47 or DL49.
but connecting:
(KL6020 is DL47)
Mar 9, 2023, 10:45 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
AS a DL Silver, I can tell you from personal experience:
- I get a free bag on KL Light fares;
- I can select a seat for free for myself and at least one companion
- On DL metal, even with a KLM purchased ticket, no free seat.