Just completed my first trip to qualify for the match promo. Two segments on KLM and two on CityHopper. Overall a pretty nice experience, operationally upgraded to biz on both KLM legs. Only remaining question: where are the points? How long does it normally take for them to post?

3 out of my 4 KLM segments (all the same trip, one ticket) posted 2-3 days after the flights. One (IAH-AMS, the third segment) took (without me claiming it in between) 3 weeks.

So I've been RW for five years and had ONE operational upgrade.

HV, while taking part in the match promo, gets two. HV I don't begrudge your upgrades, but things like this do not endear me any further to KLM or FD.

Oh, your points will post ... eventually.

Alastair, that is one more than me Perhaps this is a UK problem, with KLM UK not having authority for operational upg on the onward segment? Has anybody ever been upgraded at check-in ex-UK (other than at LHR)?

Hi Nick...upgrading ex UK? You must be joking! Even me, long in the tooth, are getting more and more fed up with points still not showing, my 10% 'recent discount promotion' showing reimbursement to my account of 1200 points not 12000, no 300 point segment bonuses...and being totally embarassed at GTW by Gatwick Handling that my WBC upgrade wasn't in the system...again, somebody had not paid attention and so it goes on....you want more examples ? No wonder KLM get bad press from us regulars. The stupid thing is, is that all these problems are miniscule in the overall context. As for the Mileage Match promotion...sure , I will benefit by 500,000 further points, but just why should somebody else pay real low fares to take advantage of getting 12000 points or whatever, whereas longterm commited regulars have built up to RW level over the years....wouldn't you think that there would be a little extra for existing members, (customers)
Sorry, I'm in a bad mood this afternoon..

Had another RoyalWing on my flight to MUC next to me - he was complaining about them never upgrading him although Biz being practically empty.
But then again, as a DL flyer, I am pretty much used to that procedure - if you want to sit up front, there has to be some reason apart from your status for that to happen (be it using coupons, miles or an oversale in the back).

You don't get operationally upgraded because biz is empty but because coach is full.

I told him that too - he thought there might be other carriers around doing this - however, we all get spoiled by the unlimited US domestic upgrades for top-tier, don't we? (At least when flying on NW as a RoyalWing and on DL as a Platinum Medallion).

I prefer the fact that KL ahs limited upgrade possibilities - except when using points. At least you are sitting next to someone also paying c fare instead of 6-10 times less.

I actually appreciate KLM`s strict rules on free upgrading, RW`s and SW`s first but only, if Coach is oversold.

It is absolutely common throughout europe and throughout the industry, the US is certainly excluded.

In addition to that, upgrades from AMS are handled by AMS ground staff only, that is another rule, confirmed by the senior ground staff agent for KLM in DUS, working for KLM for nearly two decades, actually they have been outsourced about three years ago and work for AHS now.

There are certainly a lot of things to complain about throughout the FD programm, but I don`t think that their upgrade rules are that bad...

No. On average, I think you are most likely to be sitting next to someone who has had somebody else (employer) pay C fare for him.

Not that I mind that or consider it unfair in anyway. There are plenty enough good reasons why this should be so, but I find it rather inappropriate that people who do not pay for their tickets and use the points generated out their employer's budget for their own private use should then complain about other people being upgraded, on operational grounds or otherwise.

Not that I suggest that this is your case, Erik. For all I know, you may well be paying your C class fares yourself.

I don't mind the basic thrust of the policy. It's fair enough for them not to upgrade if they do not have to, as long as everybody is treated the same (with relevant differentiation factored in: elite status, fare paid, etc...)

Handling by AMS ground staff only means that those originating in AMS are systematically privileged, in that they might benefit from an operational upg at check-in, whereas those on transfer from another flight will not. It seems to me that, in all fairness, operational upgrades should be handled by gate agents, and possibly lounge agents as well, not at check-in in AMS.

I'm not sure how exactly upgrades are handled at AMS, but it is certainly not the check-in agents who decide who gets an upgrade. I've only once been upgraded at check-in. I knew in advance that I would be, as my travel agent was aware of the fact and informed me. All other upgrades have been at the gate or the RW lounge.

I would imagine that a flight controller or some other designated person is responsible for upgrades on each particular flight. My impression is that the actual decision on whom to upgrade is often made as late as 1� to 1 hours before the schedule time of departure.

It would also appear that the (senior) gate agent can upgrade at her discretion if there are any seats left over. I've seen this done for free at the expense of other pax who had registered at the lounge to upgrade with points.

johan

[edited for spelling and grammar]


[This message has been edited by johan rebel (edited 05-02-2002).]

Without any further discussion on that topic, I am very sure, that the agent means, that the senior agent at the particular gate will handle all that stuff, I cannot imagine the people at Check In doing that, simply because they do not know, who will check in or not....

You should always get what you pay for, I don`t deny any comp. upgrade KLM is willing to give me, but I don�t like the more and more common mood of some very few members on FT, who seem to demand an upgrade every time, that they are on a plane......

Sadly enough I have to admit, that I would also like the fact, that all agents stick with the rules, who to upgrade first and do not play their own games !!