Hi all,

I have to share with you my very big dissapointement with KLM changes to earning condition with other SkyTeam members (and as you can guess again no official communication)

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This was my request to FD desk on February 15, 2005:

"I would like to confirm that all Air France and Alitalia paid flights earn miles to my FD account. Are there any exceptions as KLM has lounged recently?"

Answer from FD Help desk on February 16, 2005 9:37 AM:

"We are informing you that you can earn Miles on all Air France flights.
You can also earn Miles on all British European, Regional, City jet and Britair flights. Earning Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has an AF/KL prefix and if the flight is operated by Air France.

You can earn Miles on all Alitalia-codeshared and -operated flights.
Earning Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has a SkyTeam member prefix and if the flight is operated by Alitalia."
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And guess what if you go today March 12, 2005 on KLM website and check partner conditions:

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Air France

Earning and spending Miles

Earning: You can earn Miles on all Air France flights. You can also earn Miles on all British European, Regional, City jet and Britair flights.

Spending: You can spend Miles on all Air France-coded and operated flights.

Note: Earning Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has a SkyTeam member prefix and if the flight is operated by Air France.

Flights booked in booking class G are not eligible for earning FD Miles.

Alitalia

Earning and spending Miles

Earning: You can earn Miles on all Alitalia-codeshared and -operated flights.
Spending: You can spend Miles on all Alitalia-operated flights.

Note: Earning Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has a SkyTeam member prefix and if the flight is operated by Alitalia.

Flights booked in booking class R are not eligible for earning FD Miles.

Czech Airlines

Earning and spending Miles

Earning: You can earn Miles on all Czech Airlines-codeshared and -operated flights.
Spending: You can spend Miles on all Czech Airlines-operated flights.

Note: Earning Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has a SkyTeam member prefix and if the flight is operated by Czech Airlines.
Spending Miles is only possible if the flight number on your ticket has an OK prefix and if the flight is operated by Czech Airlines.

Flights booked in First and Business Class apply for Miles accrual.
Flights booked in booking classes E, Z, S, I, U, W and G are not eligible for earning FD Miles.

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I think that I dont have to add that a month ago, there were no booking classes restrictions at KLM website!!!!!

Of course I gave a call to FD helpdesk.. and of course.. they simply have no idea about anything. I had to guide them to look at KLM website themselves.

Just a moment ago I have made another try - sending email to FD desk again. I am really curious what the answer will be.

Rgrds,
Lucie

Thanks for spotting this and sharing it with us. Could save some of us some grief later.

Seeing that a lot of third-party booking engines don't actually mention fare classes how is one supposed to know whether or not the ticket one is about to book will earn miles?

And I must also say it seems rather odd that CSA flights don't earn miles in S Class - which is usually one of the higher fare classes in Economy.

The whole thing doesn't seem to make any sense...

CSA's fare class hierarchy is Y-M-B-H-T-E-L-Q-N-V-S-G-U-W-R

It should be added that many airlines do NOT give mileage on flt numkbers of partner airlines which in fact take place on other airlines (read outside the alliance) metal. That being said, many airlines do not exacly know how to twig onto this and will give you the miles anyway. Better not to say anything as 7 out of 10 times you will get the miles no matter what they say.

YOU are covered and will get the miles if you send this email in, if they do not post.

But I agree it is deceptive, and unfair on others who had asked the same by phone etc and have no written "proof".

G class on AF is not a standard booking class but one used for group tickets. AFAIK, these have never been eligible for credit (they certainly have never been eligible on F+).
Not sure what AZ R class is but would not be surprised if it were a 'strange' class as well.
I would have thought that in that long list of excluded OK classes, there will be two or three which are used for published fares though.

G class is very specific on AF. It is for groups or for all inclusive tour operator packages (ie Club Med). So I don't think it is a big issue.

And the restriction we have on F+ regarding N domestic (intra-France) which do not earn miles (while the international N fares do) is not mentioned.

G and S class are used by CSA as their two lowest published fare buckets.

not a bad guess then

Very rarely does KLM ever communicate any service or benifit decreases in my experience. It actually often tries to tell us that they are enhancements. It is very annoying that they are sneaking in lots of unqulaifying subclasses. Even more annoying when you have already bought a ticket prior to the changes the benifits of which I am quite sure that they will not honour.

80% of my flying is on CSA and I've never come across the R booking class. UW (only direct flts) and SG (all flts) normally are the 4 cheapest classes. They had been intended to be at LCC levels before oil prices shot up and OK decided to go with the flow and add fuel surcharges that make these "cheap" tix significantly less cheap (esp. if you're on a 4+ segment ticket). OK+ only gives 50% credit for them.
Never seen an R fare on AZ, either, but I 'm no expert on their policies.