To get a low down please read the opening message on that thread!
So the reason for the UPDATED post is simple. I was told I could ONLY have a full refund on my ticket as the flight from AMS-LBA was no longer running at all on that day. KLM wouldn't even transfer me onto the MAN flight from AMS because they said it is a different destination and fare calculation etc.
If you read the previous post for all those who were unfamiliar with this thread you will understand more.
Anyhow, In a nut shell - I had to get a full refund through Expedia from KLM and then purchase the same roundtrip from LBA-CDG via AMS then returning, however this time to MAN (as LBA is to no avail on Xmas Day.)
Why KLM just couldn't put me on the return flight to MAN from AMS was plain stupid as realistically it was their fault for cancelling my LBA flight on xmas day in the first place?!
I since wrote to the Customer Services Dept at KLM and explained the situation, who contacted me back and apologised whilst also offering (as a gesture of good will) to compensate for my transportation home (Taxi) from Manchester Airport to my home in Leeds.
Bearing in mind this is on Christmas Day and the trip is at least 45 miles. This is going to be one expensive taxi ride for KLM to kindly compensate for. I bet we will be looking easy at £150 ($260USD) (considering double fare prices will be in affect on this day!)
Just thought I would share it with you all and hear your thoughts.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined exactly 14 years ago today! , 7709 posts, RR: 55 Reply 1, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2658 times:
Good for KLM, and I think you've repaid them by broadcasting their goodwill here at a.net. Good to know for the future that KLM are good people.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Checo77 From Peru, joined Oct 2004, 1345 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2651 times:
KLM is a really good airline when compesating. I once got $100 for one delayed bag for 12hrs. Just great. On DL, I lost ma bag for 24hrs and got nothing.
Glad to see you happy and KLM satisfying a rather mad costumer
Regards,
Adam
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2603 times:
Quoting Cedarjet (Reply 1): Good for KLM, and I think you've repaid them by broadcasting their goodwill here at a.net. Good to know for the future that KLM are good people.
I must admit - I was frustrated with them not co-operating at first, however in my previous post explaining my ordeal, I did not once say anything bad about them. (How can I? Considering I have never flown them before!)
But I agree 110% that for something like this - KLM should be complimented and recommended to all a.net readers.
Jmc757 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2000, 1296 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2564 times:
Good to see KLM came through in the end! The whole refund thing seemed absolutely rediculous, not simply transferring you, and only dealing with Expedia! At least they have show that they do have some kind of service levels now!
Get a limo MAN-LBA! hehe, only joking, but it will be worth your while booking that taxi in adavance.
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2547 times:
Quoting Jmc757 (Reply 5): Get a limo MAN-LBA! hehe, only joking, but it will be worth your while booking that taxi in adavance.
That's exactly what I said to my mum... "I'll get a limo" but that's taking advantage, i wouldn't do that. I doubt they would pay. It is going to be a hefty price anyhow in a taxi alone!
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2365 times:
Quoting TinkerBelle (Reply 3): I read your previous post when you posted it and glad to hear that you'll be spending X-mas with your family. Really good gesture by KLM
Me too.... after my old post - I thought I really wasn't going to get home, but luckily I now am thanks to KLM's nice gesture!
ContnlEliteCMH From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1436 posts, RR: 50 Reply 8, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2348 times:
Quoting Ryanlock (Reply 6): That's exactly what I said to my mum... "I'll get a limo" but that's taking advantage, i wouldn't do that. I doubt they would pay. It is going to be a hefty price anyhow in a taxi alone!
Really? Frequently in the U.S., a scheduled car is far cheaper than a taxi.
Christianity. Islam. Hinduism. Anthropogenic Global Warming. All are matters of faith!
Cadet57 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 9081 posts, RR: 34 Reply 9, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2335 times:
Glad to hear that it worked out for you! It only shows what happens when you are civil and polite, many times its a misunderstanding. But in the end congrats, and great job klm, you have probly saved/made many customers!
Doors open, right hand side, next stop is Springfield.
Nonrevman From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 1289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2309 times:
I hope KLM has most of the holiday cancellations figured out now. For the firrst time ever, my wife and I will go to Europe for Christmas. In our 35 years of living, this will be the first Christmas without either seeing the extended family or working on the actual day. Instead, we booked KLM from IAH-AMS-BRU leaving on the 24th at 4PM and getting us to Brussels at 9:45 on Christmas Day. This will be the 2nd time we have flown KLM out of IAH after being satisfied with the first trip to MUC a few years ago. After reading all of this, it would be scary to imagine what we would do if we could not get there for a reason such as a flight cancellation. We are looking very forward to the trip and have not taken a good one for several months now. Does anyone in the Netherlands and/or Belgium know if the rail systems are shut down on Christmas Day. I kind of assumed that it would not be a problem to get a train from the airport to Brussels and then find a nice restaurant to eat in after we have walked around Brussels looking at some sites.
We are not asking for too much. Just to get there......
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 2216 times:
Quoting SK601 (Reply 11): Are you sure you contacted KLM??
Enjoy your flight and have a wonderful x-mas
Ermmmm I think so... haha!
And thank you very much - have a good Christmas yourself!
Vfw614 From Germany, joined Dec 2001, 3593 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2130 times:
Quoting Nonrevman (Reply 10): Does anyone in the Netherlands and/or Belgium know if the rail systems are shut down on Christmas Day. I kind of assumed that it would not be a problem to get a train from the airport to Brussels and then find a nice restaurant to eat in after we have walked around Brussels looking at some sites.
Brussels is not that far away from BRU airport, so it should work. Also, I am under the impression that a lot of transportation etc. is cancelled on the continent on the 25th, it is not as bad as in the U.K. Remember that in many countries on the continent the 24th is the main day of celebrations, not the 25th. However, finding a restaurant open for business might be a bit tricky.
As for trains in Belgium, check: www.b-rail.be . They have an English menu and a .pdf-brochure "Getting to and from the airport".
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2100 times:
Quoting Jmc757 (Reply 5): and only dealing with Expedia
All airlines have a policy. If its been booked thru a travel agent, you can only deal with them pre travel. The contract, rules, etc etc etc are with them, not the airline. We are not allowed to touch the bookings. We can see most of the details and confirm seats, meals etc, but we do not change them and have to get the pax to speak to them. If it is a problem like this, the travel agents have there own numbers for the airlines, like BA's Trade support line. It gets anoying, but alot of the time as well, a travel agent booking (STA being one of them) does not always contain the full rules on a booking and we cant do anything, even after travel.
Thats why you have hada little problem getting the flts sorted, but glad in the end its all done with.
Have a greatxmas with the family, while im workin nealry all of it miles from mine (though have got a invite to a friends for the day itself as im not workin )
Joost From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 3128 posts, RR: 4 Reply 15, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1963 times:
Quoting Nonrevman (Reply 10): Does anyone in the Netherlands and/or Belgium know if the rail systems are shut down on Christmas Day.
Dutch trains run the 'normal' sunday-schedule around christmas, which means that frequencies are lower and the very early trains do not run. Low frequencies here mean that every trains runs at least once an hour and twice an hour in the Randstad area. Trains run from about 8:00 to 22:00.
BBJII From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 850 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1847 times:
Quoting Ryanlock (Thread starter): Bearing in mind this is on Christmas Day and the trip is at least 45 miles. This is going to be one expensive taxi ride for KLM to kindly compensate for. I bet we will be looking easy at £150 ($260USD) (considering double fare prices will be in affect on this day!)
Christmas day = minimal staff, and minimal transport.
Ask KLM what you have to do. Do you pay and get a refund, or will they book a cab for you, and pre-pay?
KLM are handled by and agent at MAN and have no KL staff themselves.
These staff ONLY do as KL instructs them. So check the plan in advance.
Remember: The Bird Hit You, You Didn't Hit The Bird.....
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1672 times:
Quoting BBJII (Reply 16): Christmas day = minimal staff, and minimal transport.
Ask KLM what you have to do. Do you pay and get a refund, or will they book a cab for you, and pre-pay?
KLM are handled by and agent at MAN and have no KL staff themselves.
These staff ONLY do as KL instructs them. So check the plan in advance
I will book a Taxi and pay with my own money then send the receipt into KLM HQ in the UK who will then refund me the amount.
This is the email I have received from them, may interest you all:
Dear Mr Lock,
Further to my last e mail, I have contacted a taxi firm at Manchester and
have been advised that a taxi fare from Manchester Airport to Leeds Bradford
Airport on Christmas day will be £100.00. KLM will therefore make a
contribution of up to this amount to cover your taxi on production of a
receipt.
Regards
Tamsin
Customer Care
Pretty hefty price for KLM to pay isn't it? I am happy with this (obviously) and can only speaking highly of the airline for doing this gesture of good will.
Ryanlock From United States of America, joined May 2005, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1495 times:
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