How many times have you been upgraded on AF/KL ?
Dec 1, 2009, 1:29 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NTE
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 51
To ask...or not to ask
I have been upgraded a few times on European flights and 3 times TATL.
My question is....does it do any good to ask or is the decision so automated now that you risk an upset gate agent?
Also, does checking in online and in advance effect the upgrade results? (perhaps if you check in 30 hours ahead into Y, they just leave you there?)
My question is....does it do any good to ask or is the decision so automated now that you risk an upset gate agent?
Also, does checking in online and in advance effect the upgrade results? (perhaps if you check in 30 hours ahead into Y, they just leave you there?)
Dec 3, 2009, 1:10 am
#138
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Previously Leeds, England - now Chicago USA (KLM/AF - Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 144
KG
Dec 3, 2009, 11:26 am
#139
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KLM FB plat / Hertz Pres Circle / AB EB Gold
Posts: 409
I remember those wonderful Royal Wing years, where as RW you received the Business Class seats (row 9.10.11.12) on the 747 with economy service in 90% of all instances.
(oops at that time we earned 300% points on any biz fare : nostalgie)
(oops at that time we earned 300% points on any biz fare : nostalgie)
Dec 3, 2009, 10:25 pm
#140
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
Dec 4, 2009, 3:49 am
#141
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KLM FB plat / Hertz Pres Circle / AB EB Gold
Posts: 409
Dec 9, 2009, 1:28 am
#143
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Flying Blue, Iberia, Royal Orchid
Posts: 4
Never been upgraded on AF/KL
Even though I am a platinum member and usually travel on undiscounted tickets.
Not even to Premium Voyageur on CDG-JFK.
Once on Delta, but as others have said, not any more....
Not even to Premium Voyageur on CDG-JFK.
Once on Delta, but as others have said, not any more....
Dec 10, 2009, 2:24 pm
#144
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mexico City
Programs: FB Gold, CO Gold, MX Discover, AM PPlat, FiestaRewards Gold
Posts: 3
I'm really tired with AF, now that I'm back home, Continental, AM and MX are MUCH better options and they do care for my biz. And perks are much higher.
Other than this: lounges are crappy (biz lounge in CDG 2E looks more like a flea market in rush hour, WIFi never works in GVA), service has become distasteful, no food on short-mid flights... and the most expensive tickets in ANY route.
The only 'perk' I got from them is that I booked a F ticket with my miles BEFORE the program changed, (75K for one way CDG-MEX).
If I have to go back to Europe to live, I rather choose BA or LH. No more AF.
Dec 14, 2009, 1:44 am
#146
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Lufthansa Silver, Qatar Silver,FA Alitalia, British Airways gold
Posts: 141
NEVER!
in 2008 it happened that continental or Delta, on domestic US flight upgraded me! This year I asked on a Delta flight (JFK-ORD on 8th dec) an upgrade bur I was told that they do not upgrade any KLM/AF card holder!
in 2008 it happened that continental or Delta, on domestic US flight upgraded me! This year I asked on a Delta flight (JFK-ORD on 8th dec) an upgrade bur I was told that they do not upgrade any KLM/AF card holder!
Jan 1, 2010, 5:36 pm
#147
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,164
Good start for the new year!
Today I was on CDG-AMS-BHX [booked in M] and the first flight seemed overbooked, so while boarding, machine beeped - and was given ES seat and meal.
On the second leg - half empty plane and not a single passenger in ES [on the previous one all C class seats were taken] - purser told me later that on the return leg BHX-AMS they had only 15 pax booked :O
So, percentage - in 2010: 50%
Today I was on CDG-AMS-BHX [booked in M] and the first flight seemed overbooked, so while boarding, machine beeped - and was given ES seat and meal.
On the second leg - half empty plane and not a single passenger in ES [on the previous one all C class seats were taken] - purser told me later that on the return leg BHX-AMS they had only 15 pax booked :O
So, percentage - in 2010: 50%
Jan 2, 2010, 10:37 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: Flying Blue, Amex
Posts: 18
Also it was very interesting to see that KLM used a modified 747 on the AMS-PVG, the usual business seats on the front of the plane had been allocated to Economy meaning that if you were fast enough to check in you could have access to business seats and business space for an economy price but no business service (meals, etc..). Upstairs was still the classic business section. I actually ended up on the business seats for an eco price, I was thrilled and then some staff came up and told me that he had a better seat for me (I was wondering which one at this point, copilot seat maybe ? ;-)) then I got upgraded to full business. Nice surprise.
Jan 2, 2010, 10:54 am
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,543
Do you mean the actual upgrade (to the 'real' J section) happened not at the machine but once you were already on board? Was that a cabin crew who came to speak to you? I'd say that over the years 80% of my (rarefying) upgrades have been at the gate (the famous 'beeeeeep!') and the other 20% in advance at check in (whether online or at the counter or I would get the error message on line and get it at the counter) but so far never once I boarded, so I am interested to hear more about your experience if it was the case this time ^