SkyTeam Elite+ benefits on KLM

[mitchja]

Having just been on a work trip to Castellón, Spain, we flew outbound MAN>AMS>VLC using KLM I just thought I'd share the benefits I was given after managing to add my VS Gold FF # to the booking.

I managed to get my VS FC # on the economy U fare booking using the KLM app (the website wouldn't allow me to do it). Anyway with me being VS Gold which is SkyTeam Elite+ it gave me Sky Priority status on the booking. That in turn gave me 1 extra checked bag, fastback security at MAN, zone/group 2 boarding, free standard economy seat selection at anytime (all other economy seat types including seats near the front of the cabin, exit row seats and comfort+ (extra leg room seats) were still chargeable. Without my VS # on the booking, all economy seat types were chargeable before OLCI opened.

4 of us travelled on the same booking and I was the only one that got the Sky Priority status, however, we all got zone/group 2 boarding as well as free standard economy seat selection at any time.

During online check-in I was then able to select a comfort+ seat at no extra charge leaving my work colleges back in standard economy seats!!

I did notice that some of the lower KLM Economy fare types do not include Sky Priority status. Clearly the fare that was booked for us did.

VS points + tier points (10 for each leg) posted 24 hours later.

I was also entire lounge access including 1 guest at both MAN and AMS, however, I didn’t use this benefit with there been 5 of use in total travelling.

KLM is also like Delta, in that (where fitted) they offer free wifi to all their FF members so sign up for that (even when you don’t credit the flights to the same FF account)

We flew back home direct VLC>MAN using FR (FR only op that route 2 days a week during the winter season) so I got nothing for that flight though it did exactly what it said on the tin!

Really good to know, thanks for sharing. We're doing a work trip in April on KLM (LBA - AMS - LIN) and have decided to do economy when we come to book due to the lack of any TP or other points earned on the lowest business class fare (and the next fare up is eye wateringly expensive and makes no sense on such short flights). But with a cheaper economy fare and VS Gold for both of us we earn points and get the other benefits.

[mitchja]

KLM were also offering business class upgrades via the app. Interesting that before OLCI opened they wanted >€1500 per leg but once OLCI opened that upgrade fee dropped to <€70.

(It was priced in Euro's as this flight was booked via our old corporate travel office in Germany)

I almost feel this should say "shhhh!"

- they can take away these benefits at any moment, like they did for VS Golds using JFK Delta One check in!