KLM to charge check-in luggage for European flights
Feb 13, 2013, 6:23 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leodis
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 142
From the website..
"You can check in 1 suitcase for free, if:
* You are a Flying Blue member (Enrol now ... you’ll earn Miles too!). Flying Blue Elite members too will be able to bring 1 suitcase for free.
...."
That seems confusing - it implies all FB members, but then said FB Elites will be able to bring 1 case for free, so is it elites only?
"You can check in 1 suitcase for free, if:
* You are a Flying Blue member (Enrol now ... you’ll earn Miles too!). Flying Blue Elite members too will be able to bring 1 suitcase for free.
...."
That seems confusing - it implies all FB members, but then said FB Elites will be able to bring 1 case for free, so is it elites only?
Feb 13, 2013, 6:28 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
I've queried that above, and it's been answered - everyone gets 1 bag for free regardless of level (Ivory = Silver = Gold = Platinum).
Feb 13, 2013, 6:35 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leodis
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 142
Still bad news IMHO.
Feb 13, 2013, 6:42 am
#49
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: FlyingBlue Plat
Posts: 500
Originally Posted by KLM Media services
Official press release:What’s more, passengers increasingly want to ‘customise’ their journeys. This can be achieved through paid options including seat choice, more legroom (Economy Comfort) and, in time, paid lounge access. Customers are free to choose.
Feb 13, 2013, 6:46 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
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I agree - they say it's a "decoupling" of the baggage price from the overall ticket price, but if this were really the case, then surely they would be able to decrease the price of ALL flights, or at least do something more than just increase the number of €99 destinations by such a small number (11).
I wish they would publish the list of 30 destinations that are now supposed to be available at this price level. LHR used to be one, but lately has not been - and doesn't seem to be available for €99 on dates after this change (22 April) so we still seemingly have a reduced set of €99 destinations compared to last year.
Feb 13, 2013, 7:08 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PWM/CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, AA Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 789
I think it's soon going to be bye-bye KLM for me.
Curious move when last year they were wondering how to differentiate Platinum from Gold. Now they'll have to find out how to differentiate Platinum from Ivory.
Feb 13, 2013, 7:10 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MRS/QXB
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FT, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 103
Is there some kind of coordination between KLM and Air France? I seriously doubt it except for the trend to Ryanairize the experience with them...
When KLM somewhat promotes Flying Blue with their new luggage policy (all FB members get one luggage free - after that, they forget to reward their most loyal customers with a second bag free), Air France suppresses both miles and free luggage from their MiNi price and turns its back on Flying Blue.
When KLM somewhat promotes Flying Blue with their new luggage policy (all FB members get one luggage free - after that, they forget to reward their most loyal customers with a second bag free), Air France suppresses both miles and free luggage from their MiNi price and turns its back on Flying Blue.
Feb 13, 2013, 7:18 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
With the mentions of Ryanair in this thread, I'd just like to point out that, nothwithstanding the fact that most tickets will now attract a checked luggage fee, comparisons with Ryanair are still somewhat ridiculous.
Flying Ryanair is a completely different experience to flying with KLM. KLM still has several layers of hell to descend through before we can compare them to FR!
Flying Ryanair is a completely different experience to flying with KLM. KLM still has several layers of hell to descend through before we can compare them to FR!
Feb 13, 2013, 7:20 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
Yes - they are the two main airlines owned and operated by the holding company called Air France-KLM; they have a common Frequent Flying Program, called Flying Blue; and they (together with Delta and Alitalia) have negotiated anti-trust immunity to collaborate on pricing and scheduling of all of their combined transatlantic flights. 
Feb 13, 2013, 7:23 am
#55
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
I agree - they say it's a "decoupling" of the baggage price from the overall ticket price, but if this were really the case, then surely they would be able to decrease the price of ALL flights, or at least do something more than just increase the number of €99 destinations by such a small number (11).
I wish they would publish the list of 30 destinations that are now supposed to be available at this price level. LHR used to be one, but lately has not been - and doesn't seem to be available for €99 on dates after this change (22 April) so we still seemingly have a reduced set of €99 destinations compared to last year.
I wish they would publish the list of 30 destinations that are now supposed to be available at this price level. LHR used to be one, but lately has not been - and doesn't seem to be available for €99 on dates after this change (22 April) so we still seemingly have a reduced set of €99 destinations compared to last year.
My guess is that most leisure destinations in the 129 or 139 euro range will now become 99 euro. LHR is a special case, and I would not be surprised if they keep that at the current level
I have been looking for the page that lists the lowest prices for European destinations (as to make a guess on which destinations will become cheaper), but I cant seem to find this on klm.com anymore..
Feb 13, 2013, 7:26 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Programs: FB
Posts: 125
Another advantage gone.
I could fly eg MAN BUD with LCC flight direct 2hr40min or KLM via AMS c.6hrs
Even using Miles + EUR, KLM was only cheaper because the 2 bags were free for Elites (and that's assuming you needed to take them)
Now even that slim advantage has gone.
where KLM are head to head with a LCC they never compete anyway. This is about squeezing revenue from the business model.
I could fly eg MAN BUD with LCC flight direct 2hr40min or KLM via AMS c.6hrs
Even using Miles + EUR, KLM was only cheaper because the 2 bags were free for Elites (and that's assuming you needed to take them)
Now even that slim advantage has gone.
where KLM are head to head with a LCC they never compete anyway. This is about squeezing revenue from the business model.
Feb 13, 2013, 7:27 am
#57
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,342
Their Facebook team said the list is not public yet, so I assume they have not been loaded yet. Hopefully soon they will become clear..
My guess is that most leisure destinations in the 129 or 139 euro range will now become 99 euro. LHR is a special case, and I would not be surprised if they keep that at the current level I have been looking for the page that lists the lowest prices for European destinations (as to make a guess on which destinations will become cheaper), but I cant seem to find this on klm.com anymore..
My guess is that most leisure destinations in the 129 or 139 euro range will now become 99 euro. LHR is a special case, and I would not be surprised if they keep that at the current level
I have been looking for the page that lists the lowest prices for European destinations (as to make a guess on which destinations will become cheaper), but I cant seem to find this on klm.com anymore..
Feb 13, 2013, 7:28 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leodis
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 142
With the mentions of Ryanair in this thread, I'd just like to point out that, nothwithstanding the fact that most tickets will now attract a checked luggage fee, comparisons with Ryanair are still somewhat ridiculous.
Flying Ryanair is a completely different experience to flying with KLM. KLM still has several layers of hell to descend through before we can compare them to FR!
Flying Ryanair is a completely different experience to flying with KLM. KLM still has several layers of hell to descend through before we can compare them to FR!
FB Gold members have lost their economy comfort seats, and now a free bag. What next - lounge access? priority boarding (which will become essential when ever man and his dog is cramming their worldly possessions into the overheads).
Feb 13, 2013, 7:30 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AMS
Programs: FB Plat, *A Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 33
What to expect next?
These months I fly to the UK every week. Although I am plat and usually do not travel with more then 1 checked-in suitcase, these measure's make me think about to switching to BA. I also have Priority Pass, so I basically don't need my E+ for lounge access. Around May/ June, I will be doing some intercontinental flights in business, so I would assume that I will get status pretty fast with BA.
Should I start with this now?
These months I fly to the UK every week. Although I am plat and usually do not travel with more then 1 checked-in suitcase, these measure's make me think about to switching to BA. I also have Priority Pass, so I basically don't need my E+ for lounge access. Around May/ June, I will be doing some intercontinental flights in business, so I would assume that I will get status pretty fast with BA.
Should I start with this now?
Last edited by JPMNLD; Feb 13, 2013 at 7:38 am Reason: misspelling
Feb 13, 2013, 7:33 am
#60
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Programs: FB
Posts: 125
from their webpage:
so now they try the RYANAIR money-grabbing method of charging you double if you fail to book in advance.
There is no cost basis for this - just a good way to shake down a desperate customer:
So when a fare paying customer turns up for a flight with an extra bag... Help them?... No! Feel sorry for them?... No!
Why not see their misfortune as an opportunity to take money off them? Pioneered by Ryanair, copied by KLM.
"Pay up sir! your flight is leaving soon. You don't want to miss it do you?"
You can check in one baggage item for a fee of EUR15 (one-way flight) by booking it before your arrival at the airport. The fare for checking-in baggage at the airport without booking in advance is EUR 30 (one-way flight)
There is no cost basis for this - just a good way to shake down a desperate customer:
So when a fare paying customer turns up for a flight with an extra bag... Help them?... No! Feel sorry for them?... No!
Why not see their misfortune as an opportunity to take money off them? Pioneered by Ryanair, copied by KLM.
"Pay up sir! your flight is leaving soon. You don't want to miss it do you?"