KL Econ+ seat assignment! HELP!
 

Hi All,

Clearly the reservations systems between KL and DL don't see eye to eye, especially when it comes to seat selection. I just called the DM desk and had them confirm me in Econ+ for two KL-operated segments. I, then, went to KLM.com, entered my PNR, and found my itinerary with the same seat assignments that the DM agent put me in.

Here's the million-dollar question: Does this mean that my seat assignment has "stuck" and I won't need to worry about crazy changes--that is, unless there's an equipment swap, etc. I've read horror stories on here about people getting moved to the back of the plane from Econ+ seats because KL's system didn't recognize DL's seat requests.

When you go onto KLM.com, note the KLM PNR (which will be different than the DL PNR). I usually use that PNR to select my seats on KLM.com or AF.com. Once I do this, the seats usually stick. If you are seeing that you are seated in the seats you requested on KLM, then I think you're pretty safe. But as usual, YMMV.

Baccarat_king seems to be the only person here who's figured this out. My KLM seats are always taken away, no matter what I do. I go to war with them at the check-in counter and sometimes get EC seats back, but its hit or miss.

Knock on wood, but I have never had an issue once the seats have shown on KLM.com. Getting the assigned EC seats can sometimes be a chore but once they are showing on KLM.com they stick, IME anyway.

Yes they do when you have a traveling companion on your PNR who does not qualify for the EC seat.....you both get moved.....a fact you seemingly like to leave out of your post.

You are correct... my wife is also Elite Plus (Gold), and I am still not clear on the rules. It seems to be a gray area and I have seen both sides (yes/no) posted here on FT.

Update: I checked on KLM.com and AF.com and both sites showed my seat assignment EC+. I was also thinking about contacting the KLM team via Facebook, and although they responded, I hesitated to reply because I didn't want them messing with my seat assignments, especially if they seem to be sticking according to KL and AF's website.

Thoughts? Should I reconfirm with KLM's team via Facebook, or should I just trust the system (but verify regularly online)?

That's far from a gray area. It's pretty clear at the KL website. FB or SM Gold= pay (with discount) on KL flightss even if you are plat or diamond with companions travelling on the same PNR.

Trust the system but be aware if you have companions (who are not DM/PM) on the same PNR KLM follow diferrent rules and the system might kick you out of them when it auto checks.

Close to departure check your seats on KLM just to be sure. Expecially once they are going to 'upgrade' their planes (737-700 and 777)

In the end, I decided not to contact the KLM FB team. I'm going to be checking my seat assignments regularly, especially closer to departure. Everything looks okay on KLM.com, AF.com, and DL.com. Also, I'm traveling alone, so no companion -- that is, unless someone wants to travel with me? :p

No need to check delta.com. If it's KL metal it's a waste of time. (and, why waste time).

Setup a user id (without a Flying Blue number, but with your SkyMiles number in the profile) for klm.com (this same ID will also work on airfrance.us or the other Air France sites like airfrance.nl).

important note : never setup or give anyone your FB number (perhaps, you have done some AMEX transfer redemptions etc.) at KLM or AF. Always just give your Delta Medallion number. Even if they ask. Never give it. You do NOT want them to have both a FB and Delta number in your record. Because, believe me, they will refer to the NON-STATUS FB number, and not the Delta Medallion Number.

You can then add the reservation to "your reservations," and easily log in and check on your reservations. Sometimes, you can add it only on the KL site, sometimes on the AF site. But, once the record locator (not the Delta one, but the KLM record locator) is in, you should be good to go. (you can also use ticket # on the AF site to look up a reservation).

I manage about 5 accounts; and have setup separate IDs (for KLM/AF) for those accounts; so I can easily check on things in the KL/AF system.

I repeat, do not contact Delta. Do not speak to Delta. Do not look at delta.com. Everyone will tell you it looks great (at Delta). But, they don't always see things correctly. So, don't waste your time. I'm convinced here, there is this "I'll call the Diamond line and they will re-assure me" mentality. Believe me, it's not worth your time.

If it's KLM metal, don't use FB, just use twitter (DM-direct message). Same with Air France. Both the KLM and AF twitter teams are quite good. The Air France team will often go so far as to note your requests and assign a seat (if none are available) right before departure (and advise via twitter). Not sure, if this is because I'm mostly in business class.

oh, and I repeat... if it's KLM metal, DO NOT DO NOT refer to Delta via phone, twitter, Facebook, or online. :D

Yes. The lack of companion benefit on KLM metal seems to confuse Medallions, and rightly so.

Non-status, FO, Gold Medallions in the same record as the Platinum or Diamond do not get any benefits.

But, what KLM will do, is assign both passengers seats (or perhaps, just the non status passenger, if on another PNR) and send a link (via twitter) to pay for the EC or Premium Seating. If you do not click this link and make the payment (within 48-72 hours), you lose your seats. So, don't assume they "made a mistake" and you got a "free" EC seat for your non-status companion. They didn't. They are expecting payment. If you don't make the payment, the seats will be gone. I "think" this becomes tricker when you have a Diamond/Platinum and a lower/non-status on the same PNR. Since, you both can lose your seats.

KLM is very "by the book," with regard to collecting fees. Their attitude, IMO, is that it's YOUR responsibility to pay for your EC seats if you are not entitled to them for free. Whether you agree or disagree, don't assume they made a mistake. No pay, no play. :D:D

It's rare nowadays for me but when doing the OLCI i noticed KL did reset my seat choice for my flight tomorrow, got kicked out of my EER and was 'promoted' to an windows EC seat. No thank you...

Thanks for the info! If I create an FB account and then link my itinerary to this random FB account, will KL then associate my PNR with this FB number when it comes to seating selection? That's the *last* thing that I want because I would be a non-elite FB who wouldn't be eligible for complimentary EC+ seats.

NO, the point is to get a user ID, NOT a FB account number. Once you have the FB account number associated with your bookings, you're a peon to AF/KLM and it is very hard to reverse this.

Exactly.

I said create an online account/profile (User ID) with KLM/AF. You DO NOT have to associate that profile with a FB number. (you can actually put the Delta # in your profile). Your KLM/AF profile will be accessed by your email address + password. DO NOT, DO NOT, associate any FB (base level or otherwise) number with this profile, as MSPeconomist and I have mentioned numerous times. I repeat, you DO NOT need a FB number (or to associate one) to have an online KLM/AF online account/profile where you can store and review reservations.