irishguy28

When that day arrives, that will be the end of my segment-running each year to maintain at least Gold on KLM. I probably should be over it now, but I actually do like the lounge access. If that goes, then I may just as well be Ivory (gives me a free bag) as Silver, Gold or even Platinum (the level bonus doesn't count for much when you're only earning 25% - or probably soon 0% - on most of your flights).

I realise I'm not the type of "frequent flyer" that KLM wants (nearly all short-haul flights on the cheapest available tickets), but if they start devaluing their status, then their Frequent Flyers are liable to leave in greater numbers than after the April Fools changes.

irishguy28

Skyteam is based in Amsterdam, so KLM can call around, bring a tin of biscuits, or one of their huisjes, and get them to change their policy. (Nothing is set in stone).

And if continent-wide flights in North America don't qualify for lounge access, then why should it be any different in Europe???

The Skyteam alliance may be loosening quite considerably, anyway.

But anyway, KLM could decide not to grant access to FB flyers on European flights but grant it to other Skyteam Elite Plus flyers. Crazy? Indeed, but the patient is showing signs of delirium. I think there's a very nasty illness on its way.

ajs123

I am afraid they can and that other European airlines would eagerly follow suit. I can imagine that for European flights in Y FBG would loose the privilege, FTLs with LH &co, and silvers with BA. Actually LH did a similar thing with its Germanwings flights (all LH non-HUB flights within Europe), FTL's have to pay for lounge access (25 euros only). That are the consequences of the vicious circle of cost-cutting.

ajs123

I concur with Irishguy28. As I outlined earlier, claiming that all flights within EU and EEA are domestic flights would me much in line with DL's policy of no lounge access for domestic flights for STE+s in Y.

Xandrios

That would also impact Platinum members though.

They can of course just make Golds equal to Skyteam Elite, instead of Elite+. That would require about a year of advance notice though, but, at the end of this month that would be the right time to announce such change for 2014..

Of course, such a change would mean that their largest FF base will walk over to the competitor. Not sure if they would be that stupid..

JPMNLD

Just got rebooked on BA for my cancelled flight, this must be a sign...

andypandy

How much can they save from this? (or generate by selling access?) Not that much.
If they are really serious about saving money and competing with LCCs, why not just shut the lounges?

Changing the business model never saves money until you actually stop paying the rent, wages and on-costs.

DrLudwig

Just received this mail by KLM / NL:

>>>

Geachte heer DrLudwig,


KLM heeft onlangs aangekondigd haar ruimbagagebeleid voor Europese vluchten te wijzigen. Voor tickets geboekt vanaf 22 april 2013 is het meenemen van ruimbagage op Europese vluchten een betaalde keuzemogelijkheid voor alle passagiers die in Economy Class reizen.

U als gewaardeerd Flying Blue Gold-deelnemer behoudt uw bagagevrijstelling voor de eerste koffer. Dat betekent dat u kosteloos één stuk ruimbagage mag meenemen op Europese vluchten.

Keuzemogelijkheden
Het meenemen van ruimbagage wordt onderdeel van de uitgebreide keuzemogelijkheden voor uw vlucht. Het is bijvoorbeeld al mogelijk om uw boeking uit te breiden met extra’s zoals een stoel met extra beenruimte of een Economy Comfort-stoel. Hiermee kunt u uw reis volledig samenstellen naar uw persoonlijke voorkeuren.

Prijsverlaging Europese bestemmingen
Voor een groot aantal Europese bestemmingen geldt dat de instaptarieven worden verlaagd naar €99 voor een retourvlucht. Daarmee breidt KLM het aanbod van bestemmingen voor €99 binnen Europa uit naar ruim 30 Europese bestemmingen.

<<<

irishguy28

Ultimately, I think they would lose a lot of money - by "urging" many people to consider other airlines for their travel.

But, all other things being equal, they probably would save a *little* bit of cash by being able to eliminate ALL catering for shorthaul flights (let's face it, they don't spend anything to feed you in the air either). I don't think they'd *make* much by selling access - I don't see many people stumping up to pay for access if they don't get it "for free" as part of their ticket or status - but at busy times they have to keep stocking up the food/wine bottles fairly continuously (the last time I was in the Schengen lounge, I went to top up my glass of apple juice, and came back to find my full plate of food being tipped into the waste by an over-enthusiastic cleaning lady. I'd left the plate looking obviously unfinished, - the table was still obviously occupied, too - but hey, it's KLM's food to throw out, if they so wish!!! But it was annoying)

irishguy28

I've still received nothing.

And given that most news reports have got details of the change incorrect, I'm surprised they have taken so long to contact their "gewaardeerde klanten"

DrLudwig

Seeing that you're plat, I am gold I suspect they've informed their ivory customers first - after all: new rules prove they are most gewaardeerd before any elites.

KLflyerRalph

If only "dat is niet mogelijk."

KLflyerRalph

I think lounge access is a big incentive to go for Gold for a lot of fliers. Taking that away would be idiotic.

alesfo

Indeed for me it is the main reason to try to remain at FB Gold. Other things have been disappointing in the last few months: single episodes concerning how irrops were handled, and the whole EC fiasco.

In fact, on the route I fly most (which is AMS-LIN) I now fly almost always on AZ tickets and metal. The tickets are often cheaper due to the many promotions, and at least on AZ-operated flights I can pick whatever seat I want, without paying extra.

psollitt

The amount of negative feedback on the KLM Facebook page is quite amazing !