Alliances and the CO website
 

I'm planning a trip to Germany during the last week of November and wanted to get pricing as to whether it is cheapest to fly to DUS, TXL, FRA, or MUC. The only info I was able to obtain were fares to FRA. Since KLM flies to the other cities and CO has an alliance with KLM, I was wondering why KLM codeshare flights were not listed on the CO website. I've seen Virgin Atlantic and Air France flights listed (for other cities) but not KLM. Does anybody know why that is the case? Is the KLM relationship different from that of Virgin and AF? I can still accrue Elite miles on KLM, can't I? Just to verify, I went to the destinations section of the CO website and saw all the KLM cities listed so this makes me even more confused. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Analise

Generally speaking, I think the answer is:

1) CO does not have a code-share for every KL destination, CDG is a prime example.

2) However, you will earn miles for all KL segments, irrespective of whether they're code-share or not.

EDIT: I should say all KL segments operated on KL metal. i.e. not that you're looking to go there, but KL to DUB would be served by AerLingus (IE?), and therefore you would not get OP credit for those legs. Also, the flights can be operated by KLexel, KLcityhopper, etc or other KL branded airlines and you will get credit.

3) CO telephone agents can book you on an itnerary w/ both CO and KL metal, whereas the website is not capable of doing this (unless it is a code-share).

[This message has been edited by EWR-COflyer (edited 05-01-2002).]

I've flown on about 8 segments on KLM this year so far.

You may be better off booking tickets using KLM using www.nwa.com instead of CO's website.

You may want to also check to see if buying the ticket in Euros is cheaper (www.klm.nl). Good luck.

If my questions sound stupid, please forgive me. I went to www.nwa.com to look up info. If I book on that site, will I get credit CO elite mile credit? I didn't see CO codeshare flight numbers on it. What I want is to make sure that I have elite status next year (like everybody else here!).

Yes you will, I booked and flew 4 r/t's to Europe this winter on various KL and NW metals and segments. All miles and elite miles and any bonuses posted without delay.

They do post mileage, but FWIW I would still keep your boarding passes and receipts just in case. I have had to apply for credit on NW flights several times, even though my FF# was entered in the NWA.com system and on my boarding pass.

I checked the application on the KLM codeshare routes andf then tried to run them by schedule on CO.com. Some come up and some don't. . . .go figure.