Then how come I have never EVER been given the dates/times I have wanted for award flights? Last year to CPT (a busy route, I know) there were no economy award seats available to me for a week either side of my preferred dates. And during the discounted transatlantic upgrade promotion earlier this year the availability was erratic.

Tractor Boy makes a very good point. The policy is very confused. Some agents suggest they can "release" seats for you, others deny this, some others waitlist you for cabins which are clearly empty. What is the policy? I don't think even FD knows.

FD changes are a concern, but I would rather have a more competent, efficient program than a generous one which is a complete gamble.

JNB and CPT are always full, especially lately....

But can you blame KLM, when the flight is actually sold out ???

If you check JNB flights for the next days, you will always find M and B class available...

But I definately agree with you, when it comes to the FD agents....

IMO KLM has a nice programm, but unfortunately is lacking both manpower and competence to satisfy the customer. However there are agents who know how to play the game...

Whatever we thought, [ps. I do agree to an extent with ajameson about 'would it make a difference?' but just thought it was better doing something rather than sitting around doing nothing and then complaining after the event] it is too late! New FD programme announced on the KLM website today.

Looks quite good from the bare facts stated, but still wondering what will happen to our existing points...

Nonetheless, let's wait and see...

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KLM FD RoyalWing, AA Platinum, UA Prem, HHilton Silver

This is the link to the current news:

http://www.klm.com/nl_en//flying_dut...ePageID=1057#1

The number of tourists visiting South Africa has been on steady increase all year as more and more people decide to holiday there instead of the USA.

Also, don't forget that there would be few waitresses and barmen in the UK and Holland if the estimated 1.5-2 million S. Africans weren't working there.

I certainly don't recall the last time I was served by a S African, male of female, in the pubs or restaurants I've been into in London. From all parts of Europe maybe, and also Ausie and NZ, but S African ?

There is a huge SA population here in the UK ( I am one ! As is criscokid )

However every single one I have met recently is in a 9-5 job. I think it may be because of the difficulties in getting a UK visa, so that most are here temporarily, and have some degree of financial backing behind them.

[This message has been edited by Cris L (edited 08-30-2002).]

Hi Chris..perhaps you all pick up the London lingo pretty quick and I haven't noticed !

A South African NEVER loses their accent. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I also feel the figure of 2 million is absurd. There are only 6 million white South Africans in all of South Africa.

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~ Glen ~

Doesn't anyone else find it weird that the flag carrier of a country that prides itself on being so inherently sensible, practical and metric would change its loyalty program to a miles base? Isn't that, like, a throwback to the 19th century?

Points, sure. Kilometres, fair enough? But miles? Isn't the world trying to rid itself of measurements based on former English kings' measurements from the nose to the tips of their fingers?

I understand trying to align with the larger (read: US) airlines' programs, but... Sheesh.




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~ Friends don't let friends fly coach ~

Miles (in their nautical version, viz. 1.8 km rather than 1.6 km) is the standard unit of aeronautical distance, even in those countries which use the metric system for land distances.