KLM: Europe's newest LCC [paying for baggage now also for Ivory]
Jun 18, 2014, 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
KLM: Europe's newest LCC [paying for baggage now also for Ivory]
Starting October 1st, Flying Blue Ivory members are no longer exempted from paying for hold luggage. They receive a 50% discount making the surcharge E7,50 paid online, or E15 at the airport, per person, one way.
Members can also ante up -wait for it- 1500 TO 3000 MILES! So it only takes you, at a minimum, 900 euros to get a free bag one way! Unbelievable.
Since the introduction of paid luggage, 200.000 people have joined FB, mostly for the free bag.
Needless to say, I don't expect this 'unbundling' of features to result in lower fares as was promised first.
#RoyalDutchRyanair
Members can also ante up -wait for it- 1500 TO 3000 MILES! So it only takes you, at a minimum, 900 euros to get a free bag one way! Unbelievable.
Since the introduction of paid luggage, 200.000 people have joined FB, mostly for the free bag.
Needless to say, I don't expect this 'unbundling' of features to result in lower fares as was promised first.
#RoyalDutchRyanair
Jun 18, 2014, 10:05 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,697
What about on the routes that were, til now at least, exceptions to the paid baggage requirement (Routes between AMS and Italy, Ukraine and Russia, amongst others, if I remember correctly)?
Jun 18, 2014, 10:06 am
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat for Life, HHonors Gold
Posts: 195
Paid checked luggage for Ivory FB members introduced
We knew it was coming.... KLM is introducing paid checked luggage for Ivory FB members. Starting October 1, all Economy Class travellers with Ivory have to pay EUR7.50 when bought online, EUR15 when paying at the airport.
This is a 50% discount compared with the regular charges. Discount is only possible for the first piece of checked luggae. Payment with miles is also possible, 1,500 FB miles.
In KLM's words: "Op deze manier blijft KLM de relatie met haar loyale klanten belonen." (This way, KLM continues to reward its loyal relationship customers)
(just noticed KLMFlyerRalph already posted...)
This is a 50% discount compared with the regular charges. Discount is only possible for the first piece of checked luggae. Payment with miles is also possible, 1,500 FB miles.
In KLM's words: "Op deze manier blijft KLM de relatie met haar loyale klanten belonen." (This way, KLM continues to reward its loyal relationship customers)
(just noticed KLMFlyerRalph already posted...)
Last edited by dutchbird; Jun 18, 2014 at 10:12 am
Jun 18, 2014, 11:31 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Originally Posted by KLM
"Op deze manier blijft KLM de relatie met haar loyale klanten belonen."
Jun 18, 2014, 12:47 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
This doesn't make this any more clear:
As expected, KLM defends this policy by saying it keeps their fares low. Nevertheless I don't assume ticketprices will drop below the E99 fares (y'all remember Superfly? 
) making this pure, lying marketing BS. If they'd really unbundle flying and baggage and offering lower fares for those choosing not the fly with hold luggage, I'd be more content.
Anyone able to convince me KLM's 10g of chemical cheese biscuits and 0,2l of weird apple juice still makes them a full service carrier compared with Easyjet?
Originally Posted by KLM
Silver, Gold or Platinum Flying Blue members on any KLM flight, and everyone travelling on an intercontinental KLM flight, can continue to check in at least 1 bag for free – both in Economy Class and Business Class.
) making this pure, lying marketing BS. If they'd really unbundle flying and baggage and offering lower fares for those choosing not the fly with hold luggage, I'd be more content. Anyone able to convince me KLM's 10g of chemical cheese biscuits and 0,2l of weird apple juice still makes them a full service carrier compared with Easyjet?
Jun 18, 2014, 1:44 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 3,489
i got an email from flying blue stating the new "enhancements"
the exemptions are:
- economy passengers travelling on Y/B fares
- tickets before 1oct2014
- part on intercontinental journey
- award booking
EDIT: thanks to post below: also exempt are flights to Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus
(let's hope this won't become the new standard for intra-EU economy travel)
the exemptions are:
- economy passengers travelling on Y/B fares
- tickets before 1oct2014
- part on intercontinental journey
- award booking
EDIT: thanks to post below: also exempt are flights to Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus
(let's hope this won't become the new standard for intra-EU economy travel)
Last edited by HadesNL; Jun 18, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Jun 18, 2014, 2:08 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
Here's the official announcement: http://www.flyingblue.com/news/1834/...y-members.html
Elite members keep the second bag free.
Elite members keep the second bag free.
Jun 19, 2014, 1:36 am
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: FB Gold (ST Elite+), AZ Freccia Alata (ST Elite+), CI Gold (ST Elite), TK M&M Silver (*A Silver)
Posts: 62
Here's the official announcement: http://www.flyingblue.com/news/1834/...y-members.html
Elite members keep the second bag free.
Elite members keep the second bag free.
Deze aanpassing in het bagagebeleid van KLM is niet van toepassing op:
- Economy Class-tickets binnen Europa die vóór 1 oktober 2014 geboekt en uitgegeven zijn.
- Volledig flexibele tickets (boekingsklasse Y of B) binnen Europa.
- Economy Class-tickets binnen Europa die met Award Miles geboekt zijn (award tickets)
- Vluchten naar Italië, Georgië, Oekraïne, Rusland of Wit-Rusland.
- Passagiers die reizen of overstappen op een intercontinentale KLM-vlucht.
- Flying Blue Elite deelnemers (zij behouden ook de vrijstelling voor een tweede stuk ruimbagage).
- Economy Class-tickets binnen Europa die vóór 1 oktober 2014 geboekt en uitgegeven zijn.
- Volledig flexibele tickets (boekingsklasse Y of B) binnen Europa.
- Economy Class-tickets binnen Europa die met Award Miles geboekt zijn (award tickets)
- Vluchten naar Italië, Georgië, Oekraïne, Rusland of Wit-Rusland.
- Passagiers die reizen of overstappen op een intercontinentale KLM-vlucht.
- Flying Blue Elite deelnemers (zij behouden ook de vrijstelling voor een tweede stuk ruimbagage).
These adjustments in the baggage policy of KLM do not apply to:
- Economy Class tickets within Europe booked and issued before October, 1st, 2014.
- Full flexible tickets (booking class Y or B) within Europe.
- Economy Class tickets within Europe booked with Award Miles (award tickets).
- Flights to Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
- Passengers traveling or connecting to an intercontinental KLM flight.
- Flying Blue Elite members (they also keep the exemption for a second piece of checked in luggage).
- Economy Class tickets within Europe booked and issued before October, 1st, 2014.
- Full flexible tickets (booking class Y or B) within Europe.
- Economy Class tickets within Europe booked with Award Miles (award tickets).
- Flights to Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
- Passengers traveling or connecting to an intercontinental KLM flight.
- Flying Blue Elite members (they also keep the exemption for a second piece of checked in luggage).