GIG-AMS KL706 April 4th...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 184
GIG-AMS KL706 April 4th...
Guys, I could really need some help here!
The KL706 (GIG-AMS) that departed yesterday (April 4th) went tech. Something about the right engine. As we were about to cross the Atlantic the KLM team decided to return to GIG. The crew were amazing throughout and the captain was in the business class cabin explaining people that he and the crew would have timed out and that we would end up in a hotel and wait for further instructions.
As soon as I heard this I decided to get the internet access to explore further options with KL and the rest of the Skyteam gang. Most flights are pretty booked.
In the meantime I also decided to reach KLM twitter and facebook team. The last one gave the "the ground crew will help you blah blah blah". The twitter team told me that they were working on my case. In both cases I did presented them the flight options I found.
As we arrived at GIG and met the ground crew they only gave us taxi and hotel vouchers. For further informations we would have to wait the brazilian AirFrance/KLM customer assistance to open in the morning..... :/
So I went to the hotel and decided to call the dutch customer assistance. I was told that they could not do anything with my reservation because there was a "no show" remark in it and that they could only do something about it if there was some remark in my reservation about the problem that happened.
I'm flying C class. The final destination was Lisbon. I had a appointment tonight but I will not make it any longer so I have already called it off. The thing is that tomorrow I have to be at CDG to take another flight with another airline.
Do any of you have some ideas? I think they will try to put me in the original flight, but I won't be able to make to CDG in time...
Am I missing something here? Should I just wait for the brazillian customer service to open? Should I HUACA the dutch KLM on and on?
The KL706 (GIG-AMS) that departed yesterday (April 4th) went tech. Something about the right engine. As we were about to cross the Atlantic the KLM team decided to return to GIG. The crew were amazing throughout and the captain was in the business class cabin explaining people that he and the crew would have timed out and that we would end up in a hotel and wait for further instructions.
As soon as I heard this I decided to get the internet access to explore further options with KL and the rest of the Skyteam gang. Most flights are pretty booked.
In the meantime I also decided to reach KLM twitter and facebook team. The last one gave the "the ground crew will help you blah blah blah". The twitter team told me that they were working on my case. In both cases I did presented them the flight options I found.
As we arrived at GIG and met the ground crew they only gave us taxi and hotel vouchers. For further informations we would have to wait the brazilian AirFrance/KLM customer assistance to open in the morning..... :/
So I went to the hotel and decided to call the dutch customer assistance. I was told that they could not do anything with my reservation because there was a "no show" remark in it and that they could only do something about it if there was some remark in my reservation about the problem that happened.
I'm flying C class. The final destination was Lisbon. I had a appointment tonight but I will not make it any longer so I have already called it off. The thing is that tomorrow I have to be at CDG to take another flight with another airline.
Do any of you have some ideas? I think they will try to put me in the original flight, but I won't be able to make to CDG in time...
Am I missing something here? Should I just wait for the brazillian customer service to open? Should I HUACA the dutch KLM on and on?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,116
(...)
So I went to the hotel and decided to call the dutch customer assistance. I was told that they could not do anything with my reservation because there was a "no show" remark in it and that they could only do something about it if there was some remark in my reservation about the problem that happened.
I'm flying C class. (...)
So I went to the hotel and decided to call the dutch customer assistance. I was told that they could not do anything with my reservation because there was a "no show" remark in it and that they could only do something about it if there was some remark in my reservation about the problem that happened.
I'm flying C class. (...)
Indeed call again. Their system might have updated in the meantime.
Flying C means you are entitled to some level of service that Y PAX don't get.
If KLM don't help, AF could. Call AF and see.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
If your other flight from CDG isn't SkyTeam (AF, DL, etc.), I wouldn't mention it.
It sounds like the best option for you might be the GIG nonstop (I assume) to CDG for your "connection" to LIS, which you could skip if you don't have a checked bag.
Don't forget that GOL partners with some SkyTeam carriers and GRU has more flights than GIG, so you could take a domestic GOL flight from GIG to GRU (or use the domestic airports of Rio and/or San Paulo but this would be more hassle), which unfortunately doesn't have FC or business class on domestic routes, and then fly AF/KLM from GRU to CDG/AMS.
Another creative option would be GOL or AR = Aerolinas Argentinas = SkyTeam member to EZE and taking a TATL flight from there. Both should have a business class cabin, although AR doesn't have a very good reputation for service.
If you're desperate, you could connect back to Europe through the USA assuming that you have the required documents to enter the USA as we generally don't have international transit paths in our airports.
It sounds like the best option for you might be the GIG nonstop (I assume) to CDG for your "connection" to LIS, which you could skip if you don't have a checked bag.
Don't forget that GOL partners with some SkyTeam carriers and GRU has more flights than GIG, so you could take a domestic GOL flight from GIG to GRU (or use the domestic airports of Rio and/or San Paulo but this would be more hassle), which unfortunately doesn't have FC or business class on domestic routes, and then fly AF/KLM from GRU to CDG/AMS.
Another creative option would be GOL or AR = Aerolinas Argentinas = SkyTeam member to EZE and taking a TATL flight from there. Both should have a business class cabin, although AR doesn't have a very good reputation for service.
If you're desperate, you could connect back to Europe through the USA assuming that you have the required documents to enter the USA as we generally don't have international transit paths in our airports.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska MVP Gold.
Posts: 1,962
Seems like things aren't going so great on the GIG route. Sorry to hear about the issues. I would indeed keep talking or escalate until you get an answer -- 'my system says X' isn't acceptable.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 184
Hey guys! First I want to thank you for the replies.
This is what happened after I posted this thread:
I called the dutch KLM call centre and they told me that the flight was still not cancelled so they would have to wait to begin managing people in other flights. The KLM twitter team kept telling me that they were checking my options (?) and that they would reply it back to me... the facebook team was useless.
It was almost 6am so I decided to get some sleep 'till 8am which was the time the brazillian call centre would be operating. So as I woke up, there was no message for in my twitter. What ended up happening is that the brazillian call centre found ways to help me. Together with Expertflyer I was able to see that I did not have much options to arrive at LIS in the morning of the next day, so I ended up accepting the GIG-LIS flight from TAP in Economy, since all C class seats were booked. And the ones available would not get me in Lisbon in time I needed.
I love the KLM marketing, their seats are good, food is good too. Crew is usually very friendly. But their customer assistance is average at its best.
On the other hand there is American Airlines and their usually unpolite crew, average food and service. But everytime I had a problem with them I could always reach twitter and they would help me. I have experienced the same thing with AA and within 15 minutes of the occurrence I was already protected and booked in another flight with their OW partner.
PS: I think that the plane is still at GIG. It's the PH-BHA
This is what happened after I posted this thread:
I called the dutch KLM call centre and they told me that the flight was still not cancelled so they would have to wait to begin managing people in other flights. The KLM twitter team kept telling me that they were checking my options (?) and that they would reply it back to me... the facebook team was useless.
It was almost 6am so I decided to get some sleep 'till 8am which was the time the brazillian call centre would be operating. So as I woke up, there was no message for in my twitter. What ended up happening is that the brazillian call centre found ways to help me. Together with Expertflyer I was able to see that I did not have much options to arrive at LIS in the morning of the next day, so I ended up accepting the GIG-LIS flight from TAP in Economy, since all C class seats were booked. And the ones available would not get me in Lisbon in time I needed.
I love the KLM marketing, their seats are good, food is good too. Crew is usually very friendly. But their customer assistance is average at its best.
On the other hand there is American Airlines and their usually unpolite crew, average food and service. But everytime I had a problem with them I could always reach twitter and they would help me. I have experienced the same thing with AA and within 15 minutes of the occurrence I was already protected and booked in another flight with their OW partner.
PS: I think that the plane is still at GIG. It's the PH-BHA
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 184
Some other details that I just remembered:
- Alitalia was not a choice to reroute because KLM/AF and AZ are still working their new contracts;
- the agent specifically told me that it would be better to reroute me using a Star Alliance company, since all their AF and KLM flights were fully booked at C class through GIG and GRU. Air Europe was not even an option
- Alitalia was not a choice to reroute because KLM/AF and AZ are still working their new contracts;
- the agent specifically told me that it would be better to reroute me using a Star Alliance company, since all their AF and KLM flights were fully booked at C class through GIG and GRU. Air Europe was not even an option
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,901
Some other details that I just remembered:
- Alitalia was not a choice to reroute because KLM/AF and AZ are still working their new contracts;
- the agent specifically told me that it would be better to reroute me using a Star Alliance company, since all their AF and KLM flights were fully booked at C class through GIG and GRU. Air Europe was not even an option
- Alitalia was not a choice to reroute because KLM/AF and AZ are still working their new contracts;
- the agent specifically told me that it would be better to reroute me using a Star Alliance company, since all their AF and KLM flights were fully booked at C class through GIG and GRU. Air Europe was not even an option