NWA to KLM conversion
 

Hi,

I know that if you move to Europe (where KLM operates) you have to transfer your NWA miles into KLM points. Does anybody know the transfer ratio? Is it 1:1 or different ?

Thanks
Absik001

It's different and not everything will trasfer. They'll basically transfer everything you could have earned if you had been a KLM FD member, and at the exact level you would have eared it. Also, it takes LONG to do so. I mean LONG. It took me over 6 months to get the reversed (FD to WP) processed.

the previous post seems to be incorrect - this has been discussed on the klm board - when you change your adres to a european one with NW - NW will send you a form that you have to fill out which states that you want to join FD and transfer your points. After sending this in they will convert all your points at 1:0.8 rate - 1NW mile = 0.8 FD point.

I just completed this transfer last month. As mentioned, it is at a ratio of 0.8 FD points to every 1 WP mile, plus a bonus of 5000 FD points for an Elite member. The entire process was painless and took just over 4 weeks to complete from start to finish.

B747-437B: Did you lose any miles b/c they weren't "eligible" in the KL program as mentioned earlier in this topic?

Nope. Every single mile was considered and credited at the ratio mentioned above.

What would be the conversion from FD points to NW miles?

I moved to Europe at the beginning of this year but I kept a US mailing address and registered it with NW as such.

My mail is forwarded, and my new address has worked its way into the systems that tell companies when people move. Today I got a letter in the mail from NW Silver Elite telling me that since I live in Europe, I need to be a member of the KLM FD programme. They offered me the conversion rate of .8 FD points for every available mile in my account. They also offered to give me Royal Wing status on KL in exchange for my NW Silver status.

I'm sure I can call NW and tell them that this was a mistake, and that I still live in the US. However, I'm wondering if there is any reason not to do that and accept their offer. I will not be requaliying for status this year, and are not traveling much on KLM even though I live in Amsterdam. Would the new status expire next february like my NW status? That would be the only reason I can think of to do the transfer.

What about the reverse transfer? What happens if I convert my NW miles to FD points, and then move back to the US next year. Would I be ahead or behind in the game?

Any suggestions welcome.

Does the same apply for CO->KL?
I have miles on both & it may be beneficial to get a European address so I can have one bconsolidated balance for a 'big' award. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Flyertalk.com ...because miles & points don't grow on trees!

The KLM status is valid for a *rolling* 12 month period, rather than for a specific calendar year. And no, this doesn't work for Continental because CO still allows European members.

The big advantage of KLM over NWA is the increased award inventory available on KLM operated segments for RoyalWings. As a RoyalWing, I can pretty much have my pick of KLM flights for awards whereas my NW miles are still restricted to bookings where W class is available.

Does KLM have 3 tiers for elite fliers?

Are redeption levels similiar to WP levels?

No,only two SilverWing and RoyalWing. However this might change in the near future, as the FD program will change. More details are expected around August.

There are only 2 tiers, unless you count plastic.

The redemption levels follow KLM's convoluted zone system, so that flighs to MIA will be more expensive than those to DTW. Some zones will be cheaper than NW, but most will be more expensive. Points earned also follow this zone system, and here KLM shines by its lack of generosity.

AMS-YUL will earn 1950 points, although it is 3431 miles. So while you can redeem AMS-YUL in C for 75K points compared to 80K on NW, it will have taken you so much longer to reach 75K I see no benefit there. AMS-LAX will run 100K points in C (and earn per flight 2750.)

Earning and spending levels above from the KLM/German program. Points differ by groups of country, another feature of the KLM program.

While award availability (and lounge access) are great features of the RW program, it has very little going for it otherwise.

I think I'm going to wait and see how KLM changes the FD program next month and then decide if it is worth it to switch programs. At the moment, I think the 100K miles I have sitting in my WP account are better left there instead of becoming 80K FD points.

Since NW needs my authorization to switch my miles to FD points, I assume nothing will happen if I don't respond to the letter. We'll see.

Thanks for the help!

Bump.