We usually fly Delta to and from Europe using their partners KLM and Air France for legs inside Europe. We are trying to fly home from Bergen Norway June 2027 after a cruise and flights using KLM plane to Amsterdam and Delta back to Atlanta have gotten very expensive for main cabin (over $3000). Because of my husband’s status on Delta we get to upgraded to exit row for free on Delta flights. Thinking about using KLM for both flights ( booking through Delta as our initial flight Atlanta to Paris we want a non stop on Delta) but definitely would want to upgrade to exit row once we purchase the main cabin. Just wondering if anyone knows how expensive that is typically. If more than $200 a person may be worth doing another option with is an overnight layover in Amsterdam (flying KLM Bergen to Amsterdam in the evening) and flying Delta plane the next morning. Help greatly appreciated.
Posted by
🌲🌲🌲
13075 posts
I've had difficulty upgrading when I book a flight with KLM that is operated by Delta, even if I'm willing to pay for it. They just won't let you do it. I don't know what the deal is, and maybe if you were to call them and talk to someone, it might be possible, but it's been problematic for me in the past, so I don't even try anymore.
Posted by
OP
347 posts
I have had no problems upgrading the short haul flights within Europe. All you have to do is upload the Delta reservation number to the KLM app and the flight pops up. I was hoping someone could give me the price they usually cost for the long haul flights. I have upgraded to exit row on a 2 hour KLM flight for as little as 16E. I was hoping maybe on the longer flights they are not too expensive either.
Posted by
🌲🌲🌲
13075 posts
sdw, I've never upgraded a short-haul flight because I don't really care, but the long-haul flights are the ones I was talking about. I'm talking about when you book it with KLM, but it's a Delta flight and you are trying to upgrade the Delta flight. And yes, I know what the process is. I'm just telling you that it did not work for me, and other people here have had that problem.
But maybe I misunderstood you. Are you talking about booking the flight with KLM and then trying to upgrade the seat on the Delta flight that is the operating airline? Or are you booking it with Delta and KLM is operating it and you're trying to get the upgrade on the KLM flight. It's a little unclear (maybe I need more coffee). 😊
Posted by
Paris 🇫🇷
11604 posts
Here's how they described it:
Thinking about using KLM for both flights ( booking through Delta
Posted by
California
819 posts
I would suggest you try to purchase the seat online when booking, also opportunity to see if it's available.
When you click on the selected seat, it will give you an estimate for the price, I think. At least that happens on Delta operated flights.
I usually fly Delta and booked my ticket to Krakow on Delta. My last leg (AMS-KRK) is on KLM, and my return is also KLM (AMS-SFO).
Interesting, the leg AMS-KRK on KLM didn't let me pick a seat when buying the ticket on Delta, so I had to logon on KLM app and buy my seat for that segment (I think it was $16). But my seat on the return on KLM flight (AMS-SFO), Delta let me pick my seat.
Posted by
Lexington, KY (formerly Southeast US)
4892 posts
I did a dummy booking on klm.com for JFK-AMS round trip Oct 16-23 and for JFK-ATL same dates.
For JFK-AMS, an exit row seat was USD 81.99 outbound -- sold out for return flight.
For JFK-ATL, an exit row seat was USD 110.99 outbound and 81.99 for return flight.
If you know your dates, you can do a dummy booking on KLM and see the price of seats before check out.
Posted by
OP
347 posts
Mardee- booking it with Delta and KLM is operating it.
Everyone else- thank you for the idea of doing a dummy booking with KLM to see what the upgrade would cost. I just knew I couldn’t do that when going through Delta. I appreciate the help,
Posted by
🌲🌲🌲
13075 posts
Thanks for the clarification! It does not take much to confuse me these days, lol! I see what you're saying now, and that makes sense. I'm glad you got the information you were looking for, sdw!