Antwerp - Amsterdam
Aug 19, 2009, 3:40 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 315
Actually... I might try it next month.. but I am not convinced.. Besides the hassle, I got one of them gold BD cards, and have been flying *A with great results lately and even with the ex-ZWE flights.. *A is offering cheaper flights ex AMS regardless... the hassles of trying to use KLM 
Aug 20, 2009, 1:53 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
Actually... I might try it next month.. but I am not convinced.. Besides the hassle, I got one of them gold BD cards, and have been flying *A with great results lately and even with the ex-ZWE flights.. *A is offering cheaper flights ex AMS regardless... the hassles of trying to use KLM
Aug 20, 2009, 3:24 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,287
Online check-in offer
Hi,
As you all know, recently KLM introduced some special upgrade fares to Biz when you check-in online. However, I was wondering what happens in cases where you start from ZWE and you can't online check-in. Do you lose out on this? Or should I call when online-check in is open to ask about this?
Thanks.
As you all know, recently KLM introduced some special upgrade fares to Biz when you check-in online. However, I was wondering what happens in cases where you start from ZWE and you can't online check-in. Do you lose out on this? Or should I call when online-check in is open to ask about this?
Thanks.
Aug 21, 2009, 3:09 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 315
Hi,
As you all know, recently KLM introduced some special upgrade fares to Biz when you check-in online. However, I was wondering what happens in cases where you start from ZWE and you can't online check-in. Do you lose out on this? Or should I call when online-check in is open to ask about this?
Thanks.
As you all know, recently KLM introduced some special upgrade fares to Biz when you check-in online. However, I was wondering what happens in cases where you start from ZWE and you can't online check-in. Do you lose out on this? Or should I call when online-check in is open to ask about this?
Thanks.
I was not aware you could not check in online if leaving ex ZWE... hmm...
Aug 22, 2009, 5:57 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
Aug 23, 2009, 4:24 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
Nonsense
I've personally done this trip many times in advance, and I always change my tickets well in advance, (the post you mentioned, only mentions that when actually taking the Thalys you can receive your ticket only on the day of travel, there's no mention of changing tickets).
I've personally done this trip many times in advance, and I always change my tickets well in advance, (the post you mentioned, only mentions that when actually taking the Thalys you can receive your ticket only on the day of travel, there's no mention of changing tickets).
If you have to travel to Antwerp just to collect the ticket on the day of travel, I fail to see the benefit for Dutch residents - it would be much handier if you could just collect the ticket in advance when you're already passing through. And I fail to see the benefit of changing the ticket on the day for an earlier train - if KLM booked you on that ticket, then they have to look after you if you miss your connection in AMS, not that I think that it's likely you would miss that connection.
Aug 24, 2009, 1:18 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
OK - but can you explain then how you can collect the train ticket for the first sector leaving Antwerp, then? I don't see how you change a ticket that you don't physically have in your possession.
If you have to travel to Antwerp just to collect the ticket on the day of travel, I fail to see the benefit for Dutch residents - it would be much handier if you could just collect the ticket in advance when you're already passing through. And I fail to see the benefit of changing the ticket on the day for an earlier train - if KLM booked you on that ticket, then they have to look after you if you miss your connection in AMS, not that I think that it's likely you would miss that connection.
If you have to travel to Antwerp just to collect the ticket on the day of travel, I fail to see the benefit for Dutch residents - it would be much handier if you could just collect the ticket in advance when you're already passing through. And I fail to see the benefit of changing the ticket on the day for an earlier train - if KLM booked you on that ticket, then they have to look after you if you miss your connection in AMS, not that I think that it's likely you would miss that connection.
You change it by going to the train ticket desk, and showing your KLM eticket, and presto they will give a regular train ticket to AMS, and that can be done in advance too, so Dutch residents can just pass through in advance and change it.
The benifet of changing the ticket is not for an earlier train, but for a later train, as KLM will always originaly book you on a Thalys train, even if it means arriving in AMS 5 hours before your flight, that's why people change their tickets to a regular train, in order to be there only 2 hours in advance.
Aug 25, 2009, 2:04 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
Ah - thanks. It had been written in another thread that the train ticket could only be generated on the day so had to be physically collected from Antwerp. Now that you have firmly stated that this is not true, it all makes sense. You have actually done this, right?
Aug 25, 2009, 5:55 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
Although I always change my ticket in Antwerp, I wouldn't be superised if it's possible at any Belgian station, is there anybody who has tried it?
Aug 28, 2009, 2:16 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,287
Check your dates!
All,
Please check your dates on the Thalys ticket issued. Yesterday, I nearly had a heartattack when the conductor informed me that my ticket was valid only 2 days later! Luckily he was kind and realized that it was the person at the station that had reserved it on the wrong date when I showed him my e-ticket printout.
Also a warning for those who plan to do this without actually taking the train. Another guy if I overheard correctly, tried to check and he was not allowed to check-in. I did not follow the whole thing, but I am not sure what happened. He did not argue much or rather kept it low profile. So just a warning to all.
Btw, another question, can I online-check in for the return trip?
Thanks.
Please check your dates on the Thalys ticket issued. Yesterday, I nearly had a heartattack when the conductor informed me that my ticket was valid only 2 days later! Luckily he was kind and realized that it was the person at the station that had reserved it on the wrong date when I showed him my e-ticket printout.
Also a warning for those who plan to do this without actually taking the train. Another guy if I overheard correctly, tried to check and he was not allowed to check-in. I did not follow the whole thing, but I am not sure what happened. He did not argue much or rather kept it low profile. So just a warning to all.
Btw, another question, can I online-check in for the return trip?
Thanks.
Sep 13, 2009, 1:38 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: half way between AMS and BRU
Programs: BA gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 265
does anyone ever experienced problems on the return trip to ZWE, with luggage being labeled to ZWE and therefore getting lost at AMS? Is it possible to ask at the departure airport to have your luggage labeled to AMS and not ZWE? I will travel ZWE-IAD and JFK-ZWE in December. Apparently I will not be eligible for OLCI, can I reserve seats in advance by calling KLM? Thanks
Sep 14, 2009, 9:49 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AF/KL PLAT
Posts: 29
The answer is simple : your luggage will be labeled to AMS only in any case. Unfortunately there is no luggage handling between AMS and ZWE : you will need to collect your bags at the luggage belt in AMS and carry it on the train yourself.
Sep 14, 2009, 2:05 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: half way between AMS and BRU
Programs: BA gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 265
I know, but heard a story from someone who had his luggage labeled to ZWE, hence his luggage was lost at AMS as the handling system could not handle any luggage to ZWE. Hopefully my luggage won't get lost.
Sep 15, 2009, 4:18 pm
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
Can anybody confirm or deny a rumor I heared, that once the Thaly's willl be operating high speed from Antwerp - Amsterdam, there will be the option of checking in bags at Antwerp Central
Dec 2, 2009, 1:52 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London uk
Programs: *A Gold, BA Silver, Avis President, Hertz President circle
Posts: 2,804
The day has finally come!!!
On the 13th DEC. Thaly's is starting their high speed service from Antwerp to Amsterdam, taking only 1:12.
Will the train go all the way to Schipol, or you will have to take a different train from Amsterdam Centraal to the airport?
On the 13th DEC. Thaly's is starting their high speed service from Antwerp to Amsterdam, taking only 1:12.
Will the train go all the way to Schipol, or you will have to take a different train from Amsterdam Centraal to the airport?