Northwest KLM Partnership...Is it Good for Us?

Love your show, listen faithfully. Wanted to share a recent experience with you and my fellow audience. Planning on going to Cairo/Jordan for the New Year turn. Have been checking flight with several carriers. Northwest is running at $2200 round trip, which is a code share with KLM of course. Now I'm originating in Chicago. That $2200 rate is for Chi-Minneapolis (NW)-Amsterdam (KLM)-Cairo (KLM). I asked about just taking KLM directly from ORD-AMS-CAI:

"No sir, this is the ONLY rate offering."

"But I know that KLM flies from Chicago, could you please price out a fare CHI-AMS-CAI."

"That is the ONLY available route." Disconnect.

Well being the bright SavTrav guy that I am...I call back and ask for a KLM ONLY flight to ORD - AMS - CAI. Of course, they give me the $2200 rate ORD-MNS-AMS-CAI. Im insistent that they give me the KLM schedule from Chicago to AMS.

"KLM doesn't fly out of Chicago sir." "!!".

Needless to say, they finally figured out that KLM does fly out of Chicago - and Rudy...lo and behold...the fare was on $1500. The cheapest fare as of yet.

LET THE MASSES KNOW. BE PERSISTENT with the code-share deals, given that they are now so common. Try and call the code share airlines direct, several rates are cheaper with direct flight, and the miles still qualify into your frequent flier account.

Keep up the good radio.

-Robb

 

 

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