New program: AWARD THEFT !!! (moved from KL)
Jun 11, 2005, 4:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: KLM PT, CO,
Posts: 18
New program: AWARD THEFT !!!
The 'helpdesk' (!?) of FB has CONFIRMED that indeed a new policy has been adapted to make regular awards hardly available.
Remark made by the helpdesk:
If you do not like the new system you should stay member of Flying Dutchman and you will then still have 6 months to use your points AND have the regular availabily of award seats!
Also it was confirmed that 'no noise' was made about this hidden THEFT.
For intercontinental connections from AMS most routes are now via PAR which is clearly inconvenient and more expensive (TAX & surcharges).
For me it is probably to late but suggest to burn your miles and quit FD (in the case you have not changed to FB and ACCEPTED the new 'rules').
Remark made by the helpdesk:
If you do not like the new system you should stay member of Flying Dutchman and you will then still have 6 months to use your points AND have the regular availabily of award seats!
Also it was confirmed that 'no noise' was made about this hidden THEFT.
For intercontinental connections from AMS most routes are now via PAR which is clearly inconvenient and more expensive (TAX & surcharges).
For me it is probably to late but suggest to burn your miles and quit FD (in the case you have not changed to FB and ACCEPTED the new 'rules').
Jun 11, 2005, 5:40 am
#4
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,087
Originally Posted by PJK
Yes, you would thenm have 6 more months to 'burn' your miles.
Jun 11, 2005, 6:37 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Near an airport
Programs: FB, EB, Delta, AC, PC, HH.
Posts: 1,991
Originally Posted by PJK
Yes, you would thenm have 6 more months to 'burn' your miles.
Where was that option?
Could not check anything, could not do anything without having to accept that bleeding T&C screen when logging in.
Too late now. Had to click it to be able to use the contact form to e-mail and complain.
Emma
Jun 11, 2005, 7:18 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 195
Originally Posted by Emma65
Where was that option?
Also, I have not yet accepted the T/C on the FB site, but can see my statement, look for awards, claim missing miles, etc., by using the Flying Blue menu on the left.
Jun 11, 2005, 7:46 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Near an airport
Programs: FB, EB, Delta, AC, PC, HH.
Posts: 1,991
Originally Posted by NilsHolgerson
The letter accompanying the new FB Card had an opt-out thing.
Also, I have not yet accepted the T/C on the FB site, but can see my statement, look for awards, claim missing miles, etc., by using the Flying Blue menu on the left.
Also, I have not yet accepted the T/C on the FB site, but can see my statement, look for awards, claim missing miles, etc., by using the Flying Blue menu on the left.
And yes, I could do those things too, but trying to contact FB (apart from calling their minute charge number) I could not without accepting their T&C.
Emma
Jun 11, 2005, 7:57 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 195
Originally Posted by AEy
For intercontinental connections from AMS most routes are now via PAR which is clearly inconvenient and more expensive (TAX & surcharges).
Jun 11, 2005, 10:33 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stafford UK
Programs: BAEC Flying Blue
Posts: 167
No Award flights anyway
I was tracking their award flights. There were some that expired on May 12th and the rest om May 31st. No news one were posted after May 31st.
Where are the ones you can book now?
Where are the ones you can book now?
Jun 11, 2005, 10:36 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
Originally Posted by NilsHolgerson
Came to the same conclusion when browsing for a transatlantic award. Only availability is on AF through CDG. No availability on KL or NW via AMS...
RTS
Jun 11, 2005, 5:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
Originally Posted by NilsHolgerson
Came to the same conclusion when browsing for a transatlantic award. Only availability is on AF through CDG. No availability on KL or NW via AMS...
.I would much rather transit through AMS, sit in WBC on a 744, and get my Delft house, than transit through CDG and be stuck in a 2-3-2 50" pitch non-refurbished AF or KE biz cabin
Of all the FB enhancements FD members have been subjected to so far, this is by far the one that irritates me the most. That FB gets in line with less generous European FFP's is one thing, but to insiduously channel all award flights to AF is
.
Jun 11, 2005, 8:32 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
It seems to me that the old rules/new rules issue is a red herring. AFAIK, the award buckets have not changed. It is just that fewer seats are released in the relevant buckets. It is therefore not an issue linked to any change in the rules. There is nothing in the rules about the number of seats available in a given bucket. You would face exactly the same problem under the old rules. What there is, however, is misleading advertising. If FB advertises that you can get an award for X amount of miles and virtually no seats are released for such an award, then it constitutes misleading advertising. There is abundant precedent for this, at least in the UK.
Jun 12, 2005, 2:44 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: KLM PT, CO,
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by NickB
It seems to me that the old rules/new rules issue is a red herring. AFAIK, the award buckets have not changed. It is just that fewer seats are released in the relevant buckets. It is therefore not an issue linked to any change in the rules. There is nothing in the rules about the number of seats available in a given bucket. You would face exactly the same problem under the old rules. What there is, however, is misleading advertising. If FB advertises that you can get an award for X amount of miles and virtually no seats are released for such an award, then it constitutes misleading advertising. There is abundant precedent for this, at least in the UK.
NickB,
I can pretty well follow your comments.
Wish however to point out that during the past 10+ years with the old system I (RW or PE) could book seats on nearly every flight. Close to ZERO availability on KL flights in the new program IS (for me) a change of rules.
A.