FlyerTalk Forums - AF VDB Experience

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dd1612 (Post 17883463)

Yes, it is possible to use AF / KLM VDB vouchers when buying tickets for AF / KLM/ Delta flights and paying with the AF/ KLM vouchers.

The way to do it is:
...

Thanks for the info! ^

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd1612 (Post 17883463)

Now the hassle of driving 25 miles to MSP Airport + Parking charges, + then spending about 20 minutes to an hour + driving back home 25 miles = needs to be considered whether it is a worthwhile use of one's time.

But a lot of us fly quite a bit... enough that we find ourselves at airports (and DL hubs) fairly often. If you can book a trip when you plan to be at MSP anyway, then you're all set.

Unless the offer is mega-multiples of the cash, which it isn't here and won't likely be in other situations, I would never take vouchers unless I had a planned and immediate use for them which I absolutely know will work.

Anybody who makes more than minimum wage will likely spend more of their time value figuring out and using the vouchers than the differential between cash and voucher.

back when i worked for AF IAD it was similar to what people are mentioning here.

300EUR cash, or 600EUR travel voucher...

one summer, we were overbooked continuously and there were families that would do it from flight to flight for one or two days and have their entire vacation paid for.

Makes me wonder if Delta's new & evil non-combining vouchers rule apply to AF & KL credits?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJMeatBall (Post 17884421)

Makes me wonder if Delta's new & evil non-combining vouchers rule apply to AF & KL credits?

a. one can combine AF vouchers

b. One can combine KLM vouchers

c. one cannot combine DL vouchers ... with other DL vouchers and with either AF or KLM vouchers

DL Vouchers are 'BEST-IN-CLASS' !

Quote:

Originally Posted by florin (Post 17868462)

I think it was probably the right decision. I had issues with vouchers issued by AF. I had to use them "in person" (I went into an AF agency to do that) and I had all sorts of issues. I could not check in. At the airport I was sent to a ticketing desk as the reservation had mysteriously disappeared. I had similar issues checking in for the return and it took quite a while to get them sorted out in the airport. It was a hassle.

Interesting discussion, thanks everyone. I guess I'm leaning towards the fact I made a right decision. I just foresaw trying to book a DL domestic flight via AF using an AF voucher would be:

1. Tricky
2. Potentially more costly due to code shares, but not 100% sure
3. Potential for MQM/RDM issues post ticket

I may be blowing it out of proportion, so if any other FT-ers have experience using AF vouchers that's the way to go.

Interesting in my experience, the agents didn't really seem to grasp my questions. They kept insisting it was the exact same redemption process as using DL ECV's and that I could book on any ST carrier. Finally they coughed up that I had to book via an AF office (alarm bells ringing) and when they admitted they didn't know if it had to be AF codeshare on DL flights, or if they could book DL inventory directly I figured I'd walk away.

That being said, refund process on my CC took a good 15 min. By the time I left the counter I only had 15 min to clear security (no immigration at JFK) but an AF agent escorted me from the ticket counter through security to the gate, using his radio the whole time to ensure the plane didn't leave. He even before I boarded confirmed via the radio my bag that was checked was found and was loading to my new flight.

All in all, got into CDG about 3 hours early, $190 (150 Euros) refund on my bank card, a big thank you from AF, and only slightly marginally worse seat (A330 lie flat vs A380 flatbed). ^