wrongly denied boarding
 

My wife was scheduled to fly IST > AMS > CUR. Single PNR. <5 hour layover AMS. She has a valid Curacao visa which means she is supposed to be able to transit AMS without a transit visa or a Schengen visa.

She was denied boarding for not having a valid Schengen visa, which is absolutely not a requirement. We've since confirmed with the Dutch consulate in Istanbul this is accurate.

We're getting a full refund and I expect additional compensation. But how do we avoid this happening again? There are no other carriers/routes. I've been on the phone with KML for hours but they say there is nothing they can do from reservation end to OK documents.

We will try again. We will bring the confirmation from the Dutch consulate and will arrive many hours before the flight so they have ample time to call back office or whatever else.

Any other suggestions?

There is nothing you can do to guarantee this will never happen to you again. Mistakes will always happen.

I have heard of travelers recommending bringing a printout of consular website rules/email you received from them. It could help although it is not fail proof.

Make sure you do get your €600 compensation for this incident.

Is Curacao considered part of NL as for the purposes of EU261? Because otherwise this is a NonEU-to-NonEU route.

Curacao is not in the EU.

Yeah good shout, apologies on the misread there. I'd hope you can at least get something for your trouble but it'a going to be up to Turkish law.

Turkey has similar regulations. Go claim your 600 EUR.

You can check the database that is on the KLM website and bring a copy with you. I checked and it backs you up - no visa required for Turks with a Curacao visa. https://klm.traveldoc.aero/

Did you get your refund and anything else, perhaps a free drink coupon?

RC