I am a ual 1k where do you fax
and call to inquire : get a comp

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The numbers KLM gives are:

Fax +31-20-609-0917

The Flying Dutchman phone is +31-20-430-9325, but who knows if the person you reach will know what you're talking about.

You might consider writing to KLM at:

KLM Flying Dutchman
P.O. Box 12192
1100 AD Amsterdam (Z.-O.)
The Netherlands

Good luck, and please let us know how it works out, if you would.

Thank you . Lkewise I ccould give information on united.

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Welcoe to the truly unique world of elite status with KLM where you can enjoy all the benefits of a elite FF without spending a godd damm pennny.

Its funny how all the spongers ahs started to surface recently ?? like fly's around a fresh turd

Steve,

just my sentiments, I have been lurking around for quiet some time, and noticed the posters that want the perks only. Not spending a dime (business or private) and basically crowd the lounges.

Frisbee (97530 flown miles 2003)

Be nice, folks.

Here's a person from Penang, who is Star Alliance Gold (UA 1K), who asks about a status comp (which lots of folks do on the other fora every week) and you start talking about dreck and "spongers".

Comments about "crowded lounges" aside (the only crowded ones I've seen were in AMS, and that's FD's fault for closing one and opening two others to "everyone" - as a *A Gold, if (s)he flies *A (s)he has *A lounge access), it's a legitimate question, and deseves a legitimate answer.

I know you're bent out of shape on the free comp yet another year for PEs who didn't spend a dime on KLM, as am I by the way, but don't take it out on him/her. Comps are usually requested because travel patterns have changed or because the individual's current FF program no longer satisfies. If it brings in a new 100,000 miler to FD/KLM, we're all ahead.

I would hope that KLM would not comp directly to PE, the highest level, but rather would either comp to Gold or offer a challenge to PE, or both.

(BTW, I also requalified for PE "legitimately" this year before the "gift" announcement.)

my recipee for comps:

Do it through a local (in your country) airline's representative (their own ticketing office, or if such lacks, through a travel agency who is a good KLM costumer). They will have more power (and also more motivs to 'fight' for you, as long as they hope to get your business = you buying future tickets through them). Best chances are, if you combine your request with a booking/reservation (if the request doesn't go through you can still later cancel the booking before ticketing).

I understand (since the very early days of FlyerTalk) this board as:

* 1) a source for FlyerTalkers to make the best out of FrequentTraveller programs (also an information source for Randy's FrequentFlier 'organization, which hopefully spares him some research-staff costs)
* 2) to make (online sometimes also real-life) friends with same/shared FrequentFlyer/-traveller interests
* only 3) to blame airlines/frequent-flier programs for what is not to our like

While I understand that more or less every perk (like comping) has it's negative side too (for some of us) - negative commentaries should not concentrate about those who will profit, but directed to the airlines/programs (I don't mind and fully understand that such negativ comments are also posted on this board, I am at the same time convinced, that if you want the programs to change, you better post = email it directly to the persons in charge at the airlines/frequent-flier-programs.

We do, we really do !! but have you ever heard of the phrase "making the river go up the mountain"

The people who make decisions are so far out of touch with reality you might as well take a leak in a force 8 gale as the after effect will be a lot more satisfying. If KLM were in anyway slightly interested in being a pro-active business they would be actively talking to its customers who spend money with them and at one time cared about the airline being a long term player. For me now and many others I guess we would not pee on their planes if they were on fire

i guess i'll soon start sharing steve's crabby attitude to comp'd spongers, but i have to admit being one of them - i would not have bothered with FD if it weren't for last year's fabulous comp scheme, which tempted me over from *A Gold.

otoh, i earned KLM 130k revenue miles this year so they certainly made a lot out of this.

as for crowded lounges, as others have pointed out, it's not too many elites but too few lounges, and poor lounge services. it's fine to use comp'ing as an incentive to attract frequent fliers and carry over elite status to retain the loyalty of fliers who have previously shown (if not in 2003) high spending ability. but lounge capacity and services should be upgraded accordingly.

i still really miss the SK EBG lounge at CPH, with free internet access, lockable bedrooms with showers...

-rishab

My attitude is not crabby, but very matter of fact. I have been more loyal to KLM than my wife of 20 years - ooops that�s not saying much - Just kidding my dear - OOOH AAAAH URGHHHH -Seriously, I have stuck with them through thick and thin, I have experienced some terrible things with them over the years. I have spent a fortune with them, all of my own money I hasten to add. I have travelled extensively for the last 15 years with my work and ever since I was 17 years old with my sport at that time. I know what the best tastes like and I have had a lot of experience in what the worst possible service or quality is like as well.

My attitude is that I like to see things be successful, whatever it is in life. I hate to see things being destroyed that have been built by a lot of people�s hard work and enthusiasm.

The top tier management at KLM are out of touch with reality, they are still living in the Golden age of air travel, when it was a rich mans means of getting from A-B. I am proud of the things I have achieved in life and although I am what I would class as fairly well off, I never forget my roots and therefore appreciate what I have. However, to run a company the way KLM is run really gets up my nose. The emphasis on backslapping, arse kissing and looking after your mates that goes on right in front of your eyes at KLM is there to see. I have seen it on many occasions in the years I have travelled with them and yet they fail to realise what is going on in the market place around them. Work smart not hard is a phrase I use day in and day out, yet the way I see KLM being run and constantly re-organised is simply the same as the management re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

If someone is comped on status, then fine, but don�t rub your best customers noses in it and then go on to continually cut back on what little service was there before and still claim to be a quality airline. I mean you don�t even get eyeshades, socks or bottled water on a long haul flight. How can you expect someone to enjoy a flight in a tiny space, a seat that is more uncomfortable than a park bench, coupled with lousy service and food I would not try to poison a farmer�s dog with.

Just my five cents worth.


Steve Fenton
Still living in hope


[This message has been edited by Steve Fenton (edited Dec 29, 2003).]

But Steve, I'm not sure why you continually keep having a go at KLM...I thought that you had given up on them ages ago. If you fly them, fine, have a go, but if you don't then why harp on when it doesn't affect you ?

The problem is I had to fly with them I had an agreement which I stuck to my end of the bargain. I flew over 90 flights between the end of March and end of November. I supported them but they have now got to the stage where they simply dont do anything to encourage the people who do actually support them to stay. They also know that on certain routes they hold the monopoly and I think it is a great shame to see a small bunch of people systematically destroy this company. You are obviously blinded by mince pies if you did not get that message from my previous post.

Steve,

I understand your frustration, but I don`t think you have to add a nasty and cynical comment to any topic discussed here.Your remarks are often funny and I agree with your assumption on various occasions, but after a while it gets boring to read the staff again and again on every thread.

Believe me, on some days I could also fire some bombs again ( and do it here ), but the bottom line should be that we help other guys with their questions, at least I understand it this way...

The bottom line here seems to be, that someone asks for help how to get a comp and we should help him out as much as we can.

Beside that I think everybody is free to open a new topic how KLM s**** these days, but we should discuss it in the appropiate thread.

Just my two cents

Happy New Year everybody !

Patrick

KLM-Answer of my Status-Match Question:

Only if you are invited by a local establishment to enroll in a six-month trial FD membership, you
can enter directly as temporary Gold Elite or Silver Elite member in our program.

What`s a local establisment?