I´ve been so busy travelling that I have not been able to post for quite some time (more than 4 year...
I´ve been so busy travelling that I have not been able to post for quite some time (more than 4 years to be precise). Presently in Paraguay, South America.
Member since:26.05.2001
Reviews:311
Members who trust:135
KLM has, by far, the best Frequent Flier program than other airline in the world today.
KLM itself enjoys a good reputation, in aviation circles, as being reliable, on time and providing excellent service in the air and on the ground.
They call their Frequent Flier program the “Flying Dutchman”.
Anyone can become a member of the program by simply picking up a form at any KLM office, the KLM check-in desk at the airport and some major travel agencies or even on the internet from their website.
The form contains a temporary card that you can start using straight away, until you receive the actual card in the post.
KLM have extended partnerships with several other airlines such as Northwest Airlines, Air Lingus, JapanAirlines, Malaysian Airlines and several others.
Each
time you fly with KLM or any of their partners you earn points.
The amount of points varies between the sectors and the class you travel. Naturally you will earn more points for longer flights or if you are in Business Class instead of Economy.
These points can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, Duty Free vouchers or leisure packages with KLM’s partners in the Flying Dutchman program.
You will also receive special attention wherever you travel with them worldwide and this could range from either free use of the Business Class lounge, free upgrades or extra baggage allowance.
There are three different levels of entry into this program. Each has its own Membership Card. These levels are BlueWing, SilverWing, and RoyalWing.
When you become a member for the first time you are given a BlueWing card and if you earn a certain number of points or complete a certain number of flights you will be upgraded to the SilverWing level and subsequently the RoyalWing level. Basically the more you travel with them then the higher your level of card. Also once you reach a certain level you must maintain the minimum travel (points earned) for that level, otherwise you will be downgraded to the lower level. If you are already on the lower level (BlueWing) your card is still valid forever, even if you don’t travel for very long periods of time.
The points required for each level and maintaining each level, is clearly stated on their website at www.klm.com (then click on the Flying Dutchman link).
The benefits to you differ for each level.
BlueWing cardholders are entitled to corporate rates at many major hotels worldwide. Also late check in/check out and free enrollment in the respective hotels own Priority Programs.
Silver Wing cardholders are entitled to the above aswell as free access and usage of all KLM and their partners, Business Class lounges worldwide. Also priority on seats and 10 Kilos of free excess baggage allowance.
Royal Wing cardholders are entitled to all of the above aswell as access to special Royal Wing lounges in selected airports and First Class lounges. Also a confirmed seat on any flight provided you book 72 hours before departure. You also get 20 Kilos of free excess baggage allowance.
There are several more benefits for each level and these can all be read and understood from their brochure, on the Flying Dutchman, or from their website.
All KLM offices worldwide have a special team of people only for the Flying Dutchman program. Therefore you will always receive prompt and personalized attention.
When you have accumulated enough points for an award you can either contact the nearest KLM office or you can access their website, enter your membership number and a PIN number (which can be obtained once you get your card) and apply for your award.
One of the great things about this Program is the number of points that you are given for each flight. It is a lot more than other Programs and therefore a lot more profitable to you.
I traveled last year on a total of four flights, with them, to Africa and the Far East and I am already eligible for a Free Ticket to West Africa and back.
You can also earn points by other means. You earn points whenever you purchase anything at any shop in Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. You earn points whenever you rent a car with Avis (they are one of their partners). You earn points whenever you stay at any Golden TulipHotel (KLM subsidiary).
One of my friends, who has a Silver Wing card, traveled just this month to Bombay and back and on both sectors. Amsterdam to Bombay and Bombay to Amsterdam, he was upgraded to Business Class inspite of holding an Economy Class ticket.
This Frequent Flier Program beats any other similar program all ends up. Maybe that is why it is the single most successful and most used program in the world today.
Visit their website at: www.klm.com for more information on this very useful Program.
Keep it up KLM.
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I would say that a disadvantage is that KLM have to have a partner airline in the country you want to go to to get a direct flight. Otherwise, it's a trip through Schipol (or the lovely CDG now). You don't have to pay for connecting flights from what I can gather. I took a flight from Basel to Birmingham via CDG and you onlu get charged for one flight. Maybe policy's changed since 2001!
From_The_Continent 25.07.2001 13:44
A very informative op, but I couldn'T agree less with your verdict and really ask you to revise the statement "by far the best frequent flyer programme in the world". First of all, the rewards scheme is unattractive unless you live in Holland, because you have to pay in miles for connecting flights, i.e. UK - Amsterdam - USA will cost you the miles for a European PLUS an intercontinental flight. Even worse, the customer service of FD is a mess. Try to claim missing miles or obtain an award flight, and you are in for weeks of calling and mailing the FD "Helpdesk" without much response. Your op shows that you obviously haven't exchanged any miles for rewards yet. When you do, prepare for the worst. Of the five to six airline schemes I use, FD is BY FAR the worst. And I know what I'm talking about, having collected over 450,000 miles. Sorry for the lecturing bit, it's still a good op. Cheers, Hans
Pumpkin 24.07.2001 22:45
I wish I travelled enough to be able to write an op like this! Well researched and very interesting! Hannah
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Connoisseur_Haggler 07.07.2001 (07.07.2001)
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