KLM and hotels for missed connection

I've just read in another thread : "KLM refuses to arrange hotels if you miss a connection (on same ticket) due to weather or ATC". Is that true? One can be stranded at CDG or AMS having to pay a room?

I've never had the experience with AF-KLM, but LH gave me a dinner and a room at the M�venpick Stuttgart, because my first segment STR-FRA was cancelled due to weather.

Yes, this is correct. I've been stranded several times in AMS because of weather or ATC and have never been given a room.

This is the policy enforced by KLM at AMS, not Air France, for non-Elite passengers flying in Y. It is in direct violation of EC 261/2004 regulation. Again, this does not apply to Air France or CDG.

So, then KLM offer a room for Elite or FB Silver/Gold/Platinum at AMS?
I'm surprised that KLM violates such a law, happily.

LH paid me the room at STR, although I live 90 km from STR. I've just started using AF-KLM and I want to know how are the customers treated before the winter arrives

Airlines don't like EC261/2004, and will try to get away with not paying the expenses they are supposed to pay. And it's not just KLM that's guilty of this. Friends of mine were given the same duff "we don't have to pay because it's the weather" information by BA last year - I suspect BA thought they could get away with it because of my friends' Canadian accents, i.e., thinking Canadians won't know about EC261/2004.

If an airline won't offer you a room remind them that they have to. If they still refuse pay for it and claim it back.

I confirm this happening to me personally.

I was on a KL flight to AMS which was diverted to BRU when the Turkish Airline jet crashed on landing into Schiphol. We then took off again and landed in AMS a couple of hours late or so (BRU-AMS was the shortest flight in history, I think...). I was supposed to connect to LAX, but my onward flight left without me (us, rather, I was travelling with my S.O.).

At the desk they tried to rearrange travel, but while they would make room for me as E+ on a AMS-MSP-LAX itinerary the same day, my S.O. wouldn't fit. So I accepted to be rebooked on the same AMS-LAX flight next day together.

At my request for hotel accomodation, I was sternly told "Sir, I'm sorry, but since this is not KLM fault we are not providing you with accomodation", and then in a whisper "but if you go downstairs at the arrivals services desk, the one dedicated to lost luggage, and show your card, they will do that for you".

I thought it to be a very Italian approach for KLM :-)

totally!

They definitely offer rooms to FB Platinum customers. It might well be the case that they are easily willing to extend this offer to ST E+ when being politely asked to do so. I also know of a friend of mine who got a room as an FB Silver.

In my case they offered spontaneously, and I'm an Alitalia Elite+