KLM to charge check-in luggage for European flights
#196
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: FB-LTPE
Posts: 506
(edit - made clear it was a ticket to Italy)
Last edited by NB00; Feb 17, 2013 at 5:31 am
#197
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: FRA
Programs: FB Plat & DL KM, Le Club Plat, GHA Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,591
Apparently the internal communication at KLM about the new rules is not clear either. My parents just booked their ticket for May and were told because it was prior to the April date, the did not need to pay the new luggage fee.
#198
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Land NL-1421; Air 1A/8C
Programs: Discretely with AA-G AFFB-C2 UA-EP LHLX-S HH-D
Posts: 289
I suggest a meeting, to air comments/complaints/insights; to allow KL to take breath and take stock; to arrive at a coherent policy; and to work together on correct messages.
I have written directly to the key stakeholder in KLM, with the same suggestion as the one I make here on FT.
If there is interest by sufficient parties in the immediate future, I am happy to convene a meeting. Equally, I am happy to see some other body convene a meeting.
It is already past the time to nip this confusion (and unrest among key pax) in the bud.
What's your position?
#199
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: FB Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 47
OK, looking at the Gold benefits currently shown on the KLM website it seems clear that there is effectively no change for Gold members:
1. Extra baggage allowance still there.
2. New rules do not apply to any FB.
1. Extra baggage allowance still there.
2. New rules do not apply to any FB.
#200
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: AMS
Programs: FB
Posts: 272
Read again. Instead of receiving 1 bag + 1 elite bag you will, from April 22nd onwards, receive 0 bags + 1 elite bag. Do the math. Instead of two free bags, as an elite flyer you will now only be allowed 1 free bag.
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,805
I wish you luck but I can't see you securing a face-to-face meeting with anyone unless you already have a contact within KLM.
I think this change is here to stay, so talking to KLM about their poor communication skills is like talking about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
I think this change is here to stay, so talking to KLM about their poor communication skills is like talking about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,805
All it says is that FB members (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum) get just one free bag for bookings after 22 April. That means FB members (Ivory, Silver, Gold, Platinum) will have to pay for a second bag - so Gold members will have their free allowance halved.
#203
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: FB Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 47
It seems fairly clear to me.
I was logged into FB, and looking at the GOLD benefits.
1). You are allowed an additional item of baggage on any SkyTeam flight with the exception of Korean Air.
There is no mention of this (additional item) benefit expiring!
2). For European KLM flights booked after 22 April, KLM will charge a fee for the first bag . . . . as a Flying Blue member, you can still check your first bag free.
The fee for the (first item) does not apply to any FB member.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
I was logged into FB, and looking at the GOLD benefits.
1). You are allowed an additional item of baggage on any SkyTeam flight with the exception of Korean Air.
There is no mention of this (additional item) benefit expiring!
2). For European KLM flights booked after 22 April, KLM will charge a fee for the first bag . . . . as a Flying Blue member, you can still check your first bag free.
The fee for the (first item) does not apply to any FB member.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
#204
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: AMS,MIL,PAR
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 246
It's not clear to me whether the new rules are for KL-ticketed iteneraries or for itineraries on KL metal, but in any case:
If the rule is based on the ticketing carrier, then it seem that with a skyteam non-KL ticket I should be always able to check a second bag. The net effect of this asymmetry would be that people just start to systematically buy their tickets via AZ rather than KL and fly in codeshare.
If on the other hand they were to enforce the rule based on the operating carrier, again people will try to fly AZ metal, just in case. Not to mention that occasionally AZ operates flights that were originally supposed to be KL-operated (happened to me a couple of times in the last few months).
So either they manage to change the general skyteam policy for KL and AZ, or they would have a hard time making this work on flights to Italy, at least to LIN and FCO where there are plenty of codeshare options.
#205
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: FB-LTPE
Posts: 506
2). For European KLM flights booked after 22 April, KLM will charge a fee for the first bag . . . . as a Flying Blue member, you can still check your first bag free.
The fee for the (first item) does not apply to any FB member.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
The fee for the (first item) does not apply to any FB member.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
After 22 April: FB Elite can check 1 bag for free but will have to start to pay for 2nd bag(not clear yet if this will be 15 or 55 euro) = 1 free bag
Edit: Oh, now I see what you mean. Yes, no fee for bag 1 and still an additional bag for free. Anyway, I am sure we will get some confirmation from KLM soon through Gajan
Last edited by NB00; Feb 17, 2013 at 6:39 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
If the rule is based on the ticketing carrier, then it seem that with a skyteam non-KL ticket I should be always able to check a second bag. The net effect of this asymmetry would be that people just start to systematically buy their tickets via AZ rather than KL and fly in codeshare.
So this probably means that there are quite a few itineraries where we can check bags for free if we book our tickets on someone else's code.
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,805
It seems fairly clear to me.
I was logged into FB, and looking at the GOLD benefits.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
I was logged into FB, and looking at the GOLD benefits.
The webpage has been updated to reflect the changes.
Frank, Irishguy28, I am happy to disagree with you, it does not say that the benefit will expire, or be withdrawn. The benefit will apparently remain.
On the Gold benefits page, it merely says "However, as a Flying Blue member, you can still check in your first baggage item free of charge". To back up your viewpoint, shouldn't it say: "However, as a Flying Blue Gold member, you can still check in two baggage items free of charge"?
And note that if they can list Korean Air as an exception to the usual SkyTeam rules further up the page, then it will be a simple change to edit this to "KLM and Korean Air" after April 22, if they really do want to limit the allowance to 1 free bag for FB status members, as currently seems to be their intention.
#209
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: FRA
Programs: FB Plat & DL KM, Le Club Plat, GHA Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,591
KLM to charge check-in luggage for European flights
To the accusation of communication incompetence I would add poor geography knowledge. Take the countries in blue color http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/camp...P_small_1stbag
I assume that the blue countries are those for which the changes apply. However, Italy, Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, and (half of) Georgia are colored as well while Russia isn't. :P
I assume that the blue countries are those for which the changes apply. However, Italy, Belarus, Turkey, Ukraine, and (half of) Georgia are colored as well while Russia isn't. :P
Last edited by ajs123; Feb 17, 2013 at 10:06 am Reason: url
#210
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,713
From the KLM Facebook page:
Is it fair to suggest that these 35% of the passengers are business travelers, who in the new situation will remain to be able to check one piece in free of charge any way (as they have corporate tickets)?
Therefore, a good way for the airline to increase ancillary revenue..
Gajan
it is indeed correct that KLM will start charging our passengers for bringing check-in baggage on our European flights. Offering baggage as a paid option, allows KLM to remain competitive with low entry levels. KLM will expand the 99EUR return offer from Amsterdam to even more European destinations. KLM wants to offer customers the opportunity to adapt their travel to suit their personal needs. The paid option baggage is one way of doing this, alongside the introduction of other paid options; Economy comfort, extra legroom, Paid upgrade and lounge access. KLM will ask Economy class passengers to pay for their check-in baggage on European flights. Already in Europe 35% of the KLM European passengers travel light with hand baggage only. KLM wants to offer choice and an option not to pay for baggage if passengers do not use this option.
Therefore, a good way for the airline to increase ancillary revenue..
Gajan