AF+KLM website are an absolute mess. Removing your cookies tends to help. In one case I just booked through Google Flights because I couldn't select the flights on the website because of errors. And in another case I just used another airline. One can only guess how much revenue they are missing out on because of preventable website mess. Sometimes the KLM website is cheaper and sometimes AF is cheaper btw. Miles not matching when actually clicking the day is also a common problem. And overpriced flights too. Like 650.000 miles for a premium economy seat or 200.000 miles for an economy seat, both one way. KLM and AF are very solid once you're on board though :)
Hi just came acorss your video and had the exact same situation when booking my flight back in November, found an incredible promo awards flights but couldn't book it online on their website and had the same call the agent message.I tried calling three days straight and even used facebook messenger and also tried whatsapp. No luck on any of them and just when I was about to give up, I decided to book it with the airfrance app on my phone to see if it works cuz why not. AND IT WORKED!!! I was able to book it and now just fingers crossed that no cancellation or any other issues. I want to avoid thier customer service at all cost....... Anyway great review and excited to try their A350 soon!
I fully agree with all your negative comments regarding the AF website. It's not a glitch; it's a feature! That said, I find that nearly all airline websites suck, albeit in different ways. Given that these are among the largest companies in the world, and virtually every customer must interact with the website (or app), you would think they would have the slickest websites imaginable, but that is not the case. As a hobby, I book flights for about 30 friends and family members, mostly award flights, so I have spent lots of time on virtually every airline's website. In my opinion, the United website is the best, though it is far from perfect. It is one of the few good things United retained from Continental. All the others are full of glitches, completely unfriendly, and appear to have been built by a 12-year old.
AF/KLM still have not integrated their IT systems and have different vendors. So not surprised. And yes you are considered a high security risk on one way international tickets so that's why you get flagged.
Do you have Mobile Passport Control? When I got back from Cabo about a month and a half ago, it took me 20 minutes to get through both immigration and customs at the TBIT at LAX as there was no line at all at both. Was thinking about getting Global Entry but, why get it when I have MPC (which is free for use). All you have to do is when you get to your entry point, you fill out all the required info, receive a QR code, and you are cleared to go. Line is just as quick as Global Entry
I used to be a big fan of mobile passport, used it all the time. However given the construction and long lines at ORD T5 it was removed during the pandemic.
My conclusions: Air France apparently scores well on everything except letting you buy a ticket. Their online ticketing doesn't work in some instances, and Air France will not answer their phones. Over the years I have dealt with companies that made communication difficult or impossible, and no matter how much I valued their product I have severed my dealings with them. Air France may do many things well, but apparently their customer service sucks. Or at least that's what I gather here.
Indeed! The one other thing is baggage handling. That's what Megan Kelly's rant was about (she's still missing 3 bags months later). If even a celebrity on twitter can't get help, it's hopeless for you and me. The actual plane and crew were great though!
I wonder how those 2 Adults and 4 underaged kids managed to book business class and not be seated together. Perhaps some family members were on points and the rest were on paid tickets booked at separate times and on different PNRs?
That or they may have paid cash to upgrade. The issue was the requirement of underage kids not being able to sit alone, so they had to rejigger the cabin to that each adult could monitor 2 kids.
Forget about miles and promotion shit, normal tickets for money does not work on their sites. took me 2 week to clean up the mess their site has created, and this is because the channel they only responded to was twitter, but they did so with fucking 12 hour breaks between messages. And the best part? They canceled the ticket after the whole fiasco quoting that their partnership with Vietnam Airlines has ended... even though it was still purchesable and still aviable right now... why do I get the feeling they canceled so I would buy the ticket again but now with a higher price? No need to say, I just booked a flight with Qatar at the end, 200Euros do not worth the hassle, esecially since this ticket was for my mom, who does not speak english nor french
Honestly though, after flying AF several times this year in their business class... I feel Air France is more style over substance. People just think it's better because it's French, the same with Swiss. AF is not bad, but not great either. I can sum it up like this, British Airways has better croissant than Air France.
Air France is a dangerous airline that I will avoid. AF11 is caused by poor CRM and had AF11 actually crashed, AF would've gotten away with poor training because the impulsive masses on Twitter would pre-emptively focus the spotlight on Boeing.
Great review! I can't believe you don't have more subscriber your content is great
AF+KLM website are an absolute mess. Removing your cookies tends to help. In one case I just booked through Google Flights because I couldn't select the flights on the website because of errors. And in another case I just used another airline. One can only guess how much revenue they are missing out on because of preventable website mess.
Sometimes the KLM website is cheaper and sometimes AF is cheaper btw. Miles not matching when actually clicking the day is also a common problem. And overpriced flights too. Like 650.000 miles for a premium economy seat or 200.000 miles for an economy seat, both one way.
KLM and AF are very solid once you're on board though :)
Hi just came acorss your video and had the exact same situation when booking my flight back in November, found an incredible promo awards flights but couldn't book it online on their website and had the same call the agent message.I tried calling three days straight and even used facebook messenger and also tried whatsapp. No luck on any of them and just when I was about to give up, I decided to book it with the airfrance app on my phone to see if it works cuz why not. AND IT WORKED!!! I was able to book it and now just fingers crossed that no cancellation or any other issues. I want to avoid thier customer service at all cost....... Anyway great review and excited to try their A350 soon!
Well, you landed on my recommended page so that's a good sign. Good review 👍
I fully agree with all your negative comments regarding the AF website. It's not a glitch; it's a feature! That said, I find that nearly all airline websites suck, albeit in different ways. Given that these are among the largest companies in the world, and virtually every customer must interact with the website (or app), you would think they would have the slickest websites imaginable, but that is not the case. As a hobby, I book flights for about 30 friends and family members, mostly award flights, so I have spent lots of time on virtually every airline's website. In my opinion, the United website is the best, though it is far from perfect. It is one of the few good things United retained from Continental. All the others are full of glitches, completely unfriendly, and appear to have been built by a 12-year old.
AF/KLM still have not integrated their IT systems and have different vendors. So not surprised. And yes you are considered a high security risk on one way international tickets so that's why you get flagged.
Do you have Mobile Passport Control? When I got back from Cabo about a month and a half ago, it took me 20 minutes to get through both immigration and customs at the TBIT at LAX as there was no line at all at both. Was thinking about getting Global Entry but, why get it when I have MPC (which is free for use). All you have to do is when you get to your entry point, you fill out all the required info, receive a QR code, and you are cleared to go. Line is just as quick as Global Entry
I used to be a big fan of mobile passport, used it all the time. However given the construction and long lines at ORD T5 it was removed during the pandemic.
Hopefully it does come back though because I am considering on flying through Chicago when I go to Japan in May
My conclusions: Air France apparently scores well on everything except letting you buy a ticket. Their online ticketing doesn't work in some instances, and Air France will not answer their phones. Over the years I have dealt with companies that made communication difficult or impossible, and no matter how much I valued their product I have severed my dealings with them. Air France may do many things well, but apparently their customer service sucks. Or at least that's what I gather here.
Indeed! The one other thing is baggage handling. That's what Megan Kelly's rant was about (she's still missing 3 bags months later). If even a celebrity on twitter can't get help, it's hopeless for you and me. The actual plane and crew were great though!
As a french this review is asome a’d funny
I wonder how those 2 Adults and 4 underaged kids managed to book business class and not be seated together. Perhaps some family members were on points and the rest were on paid tickets booked at separate times and on different PNRs?
That or they may have paid cash to upgrade. The issue was the requirement of underage kids not being able to sit alone, so they had to rejigger the cabin to that each adult could monitor 2 kids.
Forget about miles and promotion shit, normal tickets for money does not work on their sites. took me 2 week to clean up the mess their site has created, and this is because the channel they only responded to was twitter, but they did so with fucking 12 hour breaks between messages. And the best part? They canceled the ticket after the whole fiasco quoting that their partnership with Vietnam Airlines has ended... even though it was still purchesable and still aviable right now... why do I get the feeling they canceled so I would buy the ticket again but now with a higher price? No need to say, I just booked a flight with Qatar at the end, 200Euros do not worth the hassle, esecially since this ticket was for my mom, who does not speak english nor french
Excitement flying - caused no sleep
Honestly though, after flying AF several times this year in their business class... I feel Air France is more style over substance. People just think it's better because it's French, the same with Swiss. AF is not bad, but not great either. I can sum it up like this, British Airways has better croissant than Air France.
So you blur your own face but not other passengers and children that you’re filming? 🤡
Double standard I know. It’s a good point whether EU or US privacy laws apply. I’ve started blueing more faces since, but it’s quite a bit of work
Why didnt’t you use an americain Airline ?
Good luck finding saver award space during July to/from Europe on any US airline! Plus I prefer Air France to US business class, even Polaris.
15:49 … or SWISS via ZRH? 😜
I haven't covered that on the channel yet! But Swiss/Austrian definitely have a good reputation!
The Air France website is the worst!!! 😂😂😂
There’s some real competition…united and American can be terrible, avianca buggy, but nobody else literally refuses to load!
Air France is a dangerous airline that I will avoid. AF11 is caused by poor CRM and had AF11 actually crashed, AF would've gotten away with poor training because the impulsive masses on Twitter would pre-emptively focus the spotlight on Boeing.