flyerCO

Use the DL SC as long as possible. The KLM lounge is small and crowded. They'll give you access to the SC based on the other flights same day in KLM J.

You need to leave time to catch transportation to international terminal, and clear security as no airs idea connection at ORD. Your bags should be checked yhrough. If they don't then ask the check in agent to through tag them. klm is a partner they'll do so for on different tickets.

Xeno

That is the advice I was seeking. Thank you.

pgh234

So you got J from AMS-CPT and reverse? Did those segments show Z only when searching AMS-CPT on EF? Or when searching ORD-AMS-CPT?

Xeno

I am in KL J ORD-AMS-CPT, CPT-AMS-ORD. When searching AMS-CPT alone on EF it shows 0 for Z. However, as a married segment with ORD or DTW then Z inventory shows up as 9 or 8, I think for both segments.

I am in early enough to get direct aisle access on the 747s and 777s so we'll see if future schedule changes make a mess of what I have.

pgh234

Thanks for the help...I guess I have to fire up the HUCA again. *Sigh*

thepaul500

What I posted was NOT incorrect, it was Z availability on KLM flights only, not DL flights. You cannot search for JFK-AMS and AMS-CPT separately, you need to search JFK-CPT on KLM to see true Z availability.

pgh234

Every DL agent I have talked to says it needs to be individual segments...like OP being available for NRT-SIN and not SEA-NRT in a SEA-NRT-SIN literary. You still get upgraded for NRT-SIN. It is like the old Skymiles saver availability when you would cobble together "Saver" segments.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy to be sent some proof / language either way. The only one example in this thread is the only one I have seen

MNAudiS4

Did we come to a quick answer to this one. If i search individual segments i do not find "Z available" If i search EWR-JNB connecting in AMS i see Z2 and Z2. I have called a few times to Delta Diamond and twitter and both are telling me it's not available.

thanks in advance

WidgetTravels

KLM doesn't fly EWR-AMS, so you're actually looking for OY space on the Delta flight number EWR-AMS and then Z space on the KLM flight number AMS-CPT.

The initial booking will likely be on DL and then DL/KL flights, as that lets you use any fare (whereas booking as a straight KL/KL flight requires a YBM fare).

Once ticketed, the agent will upgrade with prime flight numbers.

This can be tricky with KLM, as they enforce married segment availability (and sometimes show availability only if the entire trip is KL marketed). There very well could be Z space when looking at EWR-AMS-CPT availability, but that may only be given to DL if sold as KL/DL flights (which, as mentioned above, required a much higher fare). The agent can't do anything if KL denies the space. Supervisors can't even do anything there.