Your opinion on the FD prog. changes
 

Here's the actual news about the programm changes.

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

Please express your thoughts:

"membership level system with four tiers"

It seems that KLM and LH are looking very similar - KLM wll have an "elite bonus" (not status miles?) and give 100% bonus and status miles for business class.

I wonder if Royal Wing will make it as Platinum Elite now? Then we go to LH and say, black card what? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Basically, it took KLM only 10 years to go to a system that essentially copies what NW is doing.

I couldn't find any info on the points to miles conversion -- should be interesting.

Except for RW members award tickets have always been prohibitive, I can't wait to see what changes, if any, are made to redemption levels/seat availability.

With adding a new top tier it would be a good benefit for Plat to officially have access to B, M and D class fare-buckets for awards. This alone would really be worth the challenge. And I am ready to switch all possible flights from LH to KL for such a reason (as LH just cut some very importnat SEN benefits...).

Yes, this would be the two most interesting questions: RW getting Plat or not and a possible conversion factor for the points in the account. Do I have to add that my comped miles will only arrive in 4 weeks and thus maybe to late for such a conversion...?

The irony, of course, is that, publicly at least, NW is abandoning KLM to be with Delta. I do not think anyone really, really expects Delta, NW and CO to get their deal approved, but if it was, KLM has gotten in sync with NW at a time when NW is shifting its system to Delta.

Unless KLM has fundamentally changed, I would expect that there will be no conversion - as I suggested in the other post, should we plan on redeeming miles? One can envisage KLM saying, "We gave you notice."

If you switch over from FD ot NW WP (e.g. for moving to the US) they convert miles with a certain factor as some other FT'ers reported here.

So I would really think that there will be a conversion factor. And it should be at least 1.5; 2 would be fair based on the current earnings for flights AMS-US.

The announcement clearly states that "Award points will BECOME award miles". Nothing said about a conversion. Thus I would presume a 1:1.
Since I get my points by matching miles from LH, I can't complain http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
But if I would have flown all the points. Arrgh....

Just to add some information about NW WP Elite qualification and benefits. I guess this can be a guideline about how KL will handle that? Hopefully also with those unlimited elite upgrades... ;D

---

Qualification and Benefits
The more you fly Northwest Airlines and our global partners, the more rewarding your travel can be. For our most frequent customers, we have created the WorldPerks Elite program, which is designed to provide an unparalleled level of recognition and rewards. WorldPerks Elite members enjoy unlimited First Class upgrades, the ability to earn Bonus Miles faster than ever, priority service - and much more.

Achieving WorldPerks Elite Status
WorldPerks members can earn Elite status by accruing the appropriate number of Elite qualifying miles on qualifying airlines. Elite qualifying miles include all credited flight miles, plus the 50% class of service bonus earned for paid First/World Business Class travel. With Northwest Airlines' global scope of service and extensive partner network, you'll have many opportunities to earn WorldPerks Elite status. Miles earned on the following airlines will be applied toward WorldPerks Elite qualification: Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Continental Airlines, Alaska Airlines and other Northwest-designated flights operated by our partner airlines.

Once you achieve WorldPerks Elite status, you can expect to receive a special Elite Welcome Kit and new, personalized WorldPerks Elite credentials within three weeks after qualifying travel has been posted to your account.

WorldPerks Silver Elite Benefits
For WorldPerks members who fly between 25,000 and 49,999 Elite qualifying flight miles in a calendar year, WorldPerks Silver Elite membership offers the following benefits and privileges:

50% Mileage Bonus on credited flight miles earned on Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Continental Airlines, Alaska Airlines and other WorldPerks Partner Airlines.
Unlimited Confirmed First Class Upgrades on domestic Northwest- and Continental-operated flights, with no certificates required - and the ability to upgrade from any fare.
Priority Check-In and Pre-Boarding Privileges on Northwest, KLM and Continental, providing prompt check-in and additional time to settle in before takeoff.
Elite Personal PrivilegesSM, offering access to unique venues, exclusive privileges and special offers from our participating WorldPerks Partners.
WorldPerks Gold Elite Benefits
For WorldPerks members who fly between 50,000 and 74,999 Elite qualifying miles in a calendar year, WorldPerks Gold Elite membership provides the following advantages:

100% Mileage Bonus on credited flight miles earned on Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Continental Airlines, Alaska Airlines and other WorldPerks Partner Airlines.
Unlimited Confirmed First Class Upgrades on domestic Northwest- and Continental-operated flights, with no certificates required - and the ability to upgrade from any fare.
Unlimited Companion Upgrades on domestic Northwest- and Continental-operated flights, which provide the opportunity to upgrade one travel companion on every qualifying flight.
Exclusive Elite Services Reservations Line, with dedicated Elite Services agents who are specially trained to address Elite members' travel needs.
Priority Check-In and Pre-Boarding Privileges on Northwest, KLM and Continental, providing prompt check-in and additional time to settle in before takeoff.
Elite Personal Privileges, offering access to unique venues, exclusive privileges and special offers from our participating WorldPerks Partners.
WorldPerks Platinum Elite Benefits
For WorldPerks members who fly more than 75,000 Elite qualifying miles in a calendar year, WorldPerks Platinum Elite membership affords our highest level of prestige and privilege:

125% Mileage Bonus on credited flight miles earned on Northwest Airlines, Northwest Airlink, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Continental Airlines, Alaska Airlines and other WorldPerks Partner Airlines.
Unlimited Confirmed First Class Upgrades on domestic Northwest- and Continental-operated flights, with no certificates required - and the ability to upgrade from any fare.
Unlimited Companion Upgrades on domestic Northwest- and Continental-operated flights, which provide the opportunity to upgrade one travel companion on every qualifying flight.
Exclusive Elite Services Reservations Line, with dedicated Elite Services agents who are specially trained to address Elite members' travel needs.
Priority Check-In and Pre-Boarding Privileges on Northwest, KLM and Continental, providing prompt check-in and additional time to settle in before takeoff.
Elite Personal Privileges, offering access to unique venues, exclusive privileges and special offers from our participating WorldPerks Partners.

Thanks for posting this so fast ralfkripner the AUG/SEP News are not released on my local KLM homepage...

Kudos go to WKS who discovered the announcement first...

At the moment I'm really positively surprised. If there is not too much small-print to be announced and they would keep to the standards of the NW prog it's really a big move to a very attractive program. And on some details they already announced, such as 2x earning factor for Biz, they even top NW WP...

My thoughts about it :

The new FD program in a nutshell:

New four-tier membership structure: Blue Plus, Silver Elite, Gold Elite and Platinum Elite
***Where will the Royalwings go ?

Award points will become Award Miles (also without an expiry date!)
***Exchange Rate ?

Service points will be replaced by Level Miles

From 2003 onwards, an annual level check will take place on December 31 of every year
***Will this put an end to the accumulating status points earning they have at this time ?, sure hope not..

You earn 1 Award and 1 Level Mile per mile flown

Earn a minimum of 500 Award and Level Miles even on the shortest flight

Double Award and Level Miles in Business Class
***what about first class on partners ?

Elite members will receive an Elite Mileage bonus on all flights
***How much ? same as NW ?

Spending your Miles is now simpler due to a region-to-region structure
***Let's hope the increase in miles needed will be same as the exchange rate for points to miles e.g

Earn Award Miles towards a vast range of exciting awards with our non-airline partners as well
***Let's hope they got something good in store for us..


[This message has been edited by The-Longhauler (edited 08-27-2002).]

Yes, thanks WKS !!!

I think I will reserve judgement until all becomes a little clearer....too many unanswered questions, like, will I still be able to use the NW lounges ? And will service/miles levels balances be carried forward each year ?...stuff like that.

My expectation is that there will be no conversion, that no level points carry over, and that first class will not have a 3x bonus - mainly due to the fact that first class is becoming a rare commodity, and it is better to target these flyers with various promotions that are adjusted from time to time.

Now, if KLM would "adjust" the balances and have level miles carry over from year to year, it would only be a question of if my Royal Wing match comp to August 15 is honoured, in which case, LH is losing my business in a big way.