Air France and KLM awards on the way?

[Oubline]

Just did a search for award availability for CDG-LIS (for travel on 1 September), and since this afternoon Air France and KLM options have appeared. Currently I can't choose them and proceed to the next screen (it errors out).

Further searches (e.g. CDG-HKG) show the same.

Not sure if it's part of the changes announced earlier in the year, or some kind of error, but interesting nonetheless!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the heads up! Tis would be great if it comes to reality. KLM or AF would be a nice change.

 

[williamsf1]

Maybe Santa will bring an early Xmas present

 

[williamsf1]

And they are live now ;-)

 

[moa999]

QANTAS ANNOUNCES NEW FREQUENT FLYER PARTNERSHIP WITH AIR FRANCE – KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES

Keep up to date with Qantas' latest news and information, media releases, articles, images and more with the Qantas News Room.

www.qantasnewsroom.com.au

Now also includes luggage allowance benefits for elites.

 

[Ktan89]

Yup live now. Saw lots of award availability since midday today.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

This is great news!
They don't seem to have updated the benefits in the tier benefits page yet.
Will be interested to see them in writing.

 

[calmelb]

I wish they would've brought lounge access into play too. Would make for a compelling grouping, OW with BA/IB/AY and then out of alliance AF/KL. Be a good competitor to *A then

 

[N860CR]

105k for HKG-CDG. That seems like a lot? I only use QF for one world awards so I’m not a great judge!

 

[Mattg]

105k for HKG-CDG. That seems like a lot? I only use QF for one world awards so I’m not a great judge!

Well, HKG-CDG is 5,970 miles so it falls into Zone 7 which is 104,500 Qantas points in business class for partner awards.

HKG-AMS is 5,773 miles which puts it in Zone 6, costing 90,000 Qantas points for business class.

 

[Max Samuels]

Does this mean AF will open up inventory with the QF flight number in F (paid tickets)?

 

[henrus]

I realise it's only been one day since the announcement but there is still no spot to put a Qantas frequent flyer number into an Air France or KLM booking.

Whilst everyone gives QF a hard time for their own IT, at least they've now added an Air France and KLM option.

My concern is that staff at the airport will have no idea that Qantas frequent flyers are eligible for benefits including extra baggage (which could prove costly at airport rates).

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Does this mean AF will open up inventory with the QF flight number in F (paid tickets)?

No.
The announcement specifically states it will open up seats in the Y and J cabins.

 

[wannabe_wp]

Am I meant to see these new flights on the Qantas booking engine? Or only on Air France/KLM when I make a booking on their website.

 

[henrus]

Am I meant to see these new flights on the Qantas booking engine? Or only on Air France/KLM when I make a booking on their website.

​

Both....

Qantas award flights are now available through Flying Blue (using miles).

Air France and KLM are now available through Qantas (using points).

If you're looking for cash tickets then they've always been available (on limited routes mainly between Asia and Europe). This new partnership covers the frequent flyer aspects allowing for earning/redemption and benefits across the airlines.

 

[MH_fan]

Can't earn QF SCs flying AF/KL but you can the other way around, which is great for me, as I've just reached gold with AF and this will make it easier to retain. I can't find any details about fare classes and what XPs you'll earn when flying QF but I'm assuming its the same for partner airlines for AF's Flying Blue programme.

 

[wannabe_wp]

Both....

Qantas award flights are now available through Flying Blue (using miles).

Air France and KLM are now available through Qantas (using points).

If you're looking for cash tickets then they've always been available (on limited routes mainly between Asia and Europe). This new partnership covers the frequent flyer aspects allowing for earning/redemption and benefits across the airlines.

Thanks. Though I can now purchase any KLM or AF ticket and get Qantas Points when purchasing on the AF/KLM website? And get the extra baggage etc.

 

[Mattg]

Can't earn QF SCs flying AF/KL but you can the other way around, which is great for me, as I've just reached gold with AF and this will make it easier to retain. I can't find any details about fare classes and what XPs you'll earn when flying QF but I'm assuming its the same for partner airlines for AF's Flying Blue programme.

There's some information here about which Qantas fare classes earn points & XPs: Flying Blue

Basically, it seems everything except "E" class earns something. Presumably the XP earn rate will be the same as it is with SkyTeam airlines, based on this table: Flying Blue

Domestic flights won't be good earners. Even routes like BNE-PER will only earn 2 XP in Y or 6 XP in J.

But flights to Asia could be good earners. SYD-SIN for example would be 10 XP in Y, 20 XP in PE, 30 XP in J or 50 XP in F. SYD-PEK or SYD-CTS are over 5,000 miles so earn 12 XP in Y or 36 XP in J.

 

[henrus]

Thanks. Though I can now purchase any KLM or AF ticket and get Qantas Points when purchasing on the AF/KLM website? And get the extra baggage etc.

Yep any KLM or Air France flight should now include the earning of Qantas points (easier said than done when both AF/KLM don't have a Qantas option online) and some status benefits...

I've got a KLM flight coming up in around a months time so I'll report back however my hopes aren't high... As a former Sky Team Elite I had problem with them recognising status within their own alliance. From the airport I'm traveling from (GVA) all airlines other than the LH group use contract staff and in the past I've been told that as an Australian passport holder I need a visa for intra Europe travel... My hopes aren't high for them recognising any form of Qantas status.

 

[calmelb]

No.
The announcement specifically states it will open up seats in the Y and J cabins.

I think the person you’re replying to was asking (/hoping) that you could get bookings in F with a QF code and paid fare