I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
I tried to upgrade my KLM Fifth Freedom flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta and failed…it seems that KLM did not want my money (and I suppose that was a blessing in disguise).
Failed Upgrade On KLM – A Blessing In Disguise?
I’ve flown KLM Fifth Freedom flights a couple of times in Asia over the years, always on the Bali – Singapore route on a 777, and was excited to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta on a 787-9. These short flights are full-service (unlike intra-Europe flights of the same length) and even include Delft Blue houses, KLM’s long-running in-flight gift to business class passengers.
I figured it would be fun to upgrade our flight and tried to do so in Saudia Lounge. The KLM website did not offer any upgrades beyond an upgrade to extra-legroom economy class, but the KLM app did offer paid upgrades to premium economy (for about 73USD) or business class (for about 136USD).
I tried to upgrade to business class…but the internet was so bad in the Saudia Lounge that the transaction eventually timed out.
When I went back in to complete it again, the options to upgrade to premium economy or business class were gone…like on the website, I was only offered a seat move within the economy class cabin.
I’m not all that techie so I can only imagine that perhaps the failed transaction might have triggered something to close off the possibility of the upgrade? I tried in different browsers and even on my work phone and the premium cabin options were indeed gone.
Onboard, especially after Augustine threw up, I asked about upgrading and the flight attendants offered the same price to upgrade to business class (only in EUR instead of MYR) using their iPad…I was about to take it, but the flight attendant said economy class was so lightly booked we could have our own row in economy class.
I took that instead…which was a very sweet gesture from the flight attendants, who took excellent care of us after Augustine got sick.
I love KLM (I’ll say more about the flight itself next), but the app and website, though still above average, need some work. I was literally ready to spend an extra 272 USD that was left on the table in a businss class cabin that was only 25% full.
I love KLM too! I’m the glad the flight attendant was proactive and offered you both options. Hoping everything goes smoothly for your remaining trip.
Hope your son feels better after the upchucking.
Was it motion sickness related or something else?
Related to Bali, I’ll wager. Much like visiting Mexico, some gastrointestinal upsets are par for the course on a trip to the Island of the Gods.
Now I will never have the answer to what might have happened if Augustine had been presented with a tray of spicy Indonesian food on the business class menu.
We had spicy food in economy class if you check the next post, but Aug slept through it.
“in a businss class cabin that was only 25% full.”
Don’t you mean economy class cabin?
I’m talking about the business class cabin. Low load.
Be careful regarding points accruing doing this. I’ve heard of upgrades into the lowest class of biz not accruing SAS points meaning it won’t count for your challenge.
Personally that seems a lot of coin for a very short flight. Especially with a very low load in economy.
I would fly KLM more often if it wasn’t for their website.
I love KLM too. My understanding is the website and software is developed and maintained by Air France which is why it sucks.