Aviatrix

Just had an email from KLM...:

Oil routes???? Well, yes - I live near Norwich, so that's where I fly from.

I suspect they probably sent this to half the population of East Anglia (and Scotland, and Norway...). KLM's email servers must have been extremely busy today!

I give them 1 out of 10 for market research. And why MR??? They never got this wrong before...

NilsHolgerson

Why am I not surprised...

I fly _to_ an oil-route destination very frequently, and have been for many years, but have never gotten a Petroleum Club email. In fact, I never get any email from KLM other than fare promos. (I do get the same email more than once, and in a variety of languages, with or without Mr., or just Mr/Mrs., with our without last name and/or first name, etc...)

Anyway, what is the advantage of being a Petroleum Club member when one is already FB Gold or Plat, flying mainly through AMS (i.e. not CDG)?

Falco Peregrinus

I don't know for KLM but Air France's Petroleum Club has a pretty extensive definition of oil routes:

NilsHolgerson

KLM have this list too.

I took Aviatrix' post to mean that the only relation she could find to her being selected for this exclusive invite, is the fact that her place of residence is on an oil-route. Which does not seem to make sense. You would expect a selection algorithm based on destinations.

Falco Peregrinus

AMS is a significant oil destination too but is not included in the list for obvious reasons: sending such e-mails to all passengers flying from/to AMS would ruin all attempts to recruit potential Petroleum Club members...

Zembla

Air France and KLM Petroleum Club are actually the same club. The club originates from Air France.

Is it worth being a member even when FB elite? Well there are some Petroleum Club benefits that you don't get as FB gold or plat. You'll find special Petroleum Club counters and transfer desks in some places. Especially that dedicated transfer desk turned out great one delayed arrival (I missed my connection) at CDG when the lines at other desks were HUGE. Other benefits are rather specific to long stop overs in Paris (they are very good benefits though!). And there are additional discounts with some selected partners.
Further, it may be a bonus point for op-up-abillity or general miracle-performing? (Well ok, I doubt that. Didn't have an op-up in ages)

Malonda

Falco,
Is Doha, Qatar really listed as an African destination?

Falco Peregrinus

DOH! (as Homer would say)

ajax

I just got this email, too. How weird.

Aviatrix

That was exactly my point.

"(S)he flies from NWI therefore (s)he must be in the oil industry".

view

This seems a sure way of diluting the value of the club, and attract lots of new members who are not in the industry.

Aviatrix

You can't actually join unless you provide proof of employment... so they're wasting their time on Norwich-area residents!

Falco Peregrinus

It would be interesting to know to what extent the e-mail is:

• an invitation to apply for Petroleum Club membership (through the regular application process and meeting all the usual admission criteria i.e. company in the O&G industry, member flying O&G routes)
• a bypass admission process with no formal verification that you meet Petroleum Club Terms and Conditions (following the example of some hotel chains granting complimentary mid tier status to elite FFs)

gohoward

Not much of an advantage if you are already elite, but some nice benefits if you are a general member.

From Air France, Petroleum Club Benefits page:

Your Petroleum Club Card gives you access to exclusive services and benefits when you travel with Air France and KLM, especially when you change planes at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol Airports.

A special card

You will have a single, shared card number for both your Petroleum Club and Flying Blue cards.

Advantages at the airport

Priority check-in
- At the main AF oil routes destinations, check-in at special Petroleum Club check-in counters
- At CDG2, within the High Contribution zones (CDG2C Area 3, CDG2F area 11 and CDG2E area 5)
- All around the world: at Air France LŽEspace Affaires check-in counters
- At KLM oil destinations (Kuwait, Damman, Atyrau, Stavanger, Lagos, Malabo and Tripoli) at Business Class check-in counters

- At Schipol at KLM Business Class check-in counters

Priority access to high contribution transfer desks

Specific advantages at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and at Amsterdam-Schipol

For all Petroleum Club members
- Access to the private Petroleum Club lounge at Sofitel Paris-Roissy (showers, refreshments, cable TV, modem connections, international press, rest area)
- At Schipol: Access to KLM Crown lounge


For Petroleum Club members on connection between two AF and/or KL flights
- Less than 3 hours: a refreshment is offered
- Between 3 and 6 hours : a meal is offered in our partner restaurants
- Over 6 hours : a second meal is offered + at CDG only day- use accomodation in a 4-star hotel at the airport

Pinkfloyd

The "refreshments" actually come in the form of vouchers that can be used at any restaurant / bar located within Schiphol (at AMS), which is good as it usually pays for a meal and a bit.