Understanding KLM revenue fare classes is not straight forward or well understood by the casual flyer. This article was written by a very frequent flyer who has spent many years studying how the airline industry operates and documenting the changes that full-service airlines make in an effort to devalue frequent flyer benefits.
This article is designed to help a SkyMiles Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion understand fare class when flying on KLM and the associated fare class earnings.
The information contained is not endorsed by KLM. If you find something incorrect, please send me a message and I’ll get it updated.
KLM Fare Classes & Information
Learn what the fare class letters on your boarding pass mean
As most of the SkyTeam members have begun their push into selling more premium products, KLM has modified its fare classes and aircraft layouts to squeeze in another class of service between Economy and Business.
The ultra-simplified way to understand KLM fare classes and how they associates to ticket price, restrictions is this:
Business, Premium Economy and Economy all have multiple seats and fare classes available for for sale to customers. By default, you’ll always buy the cheapest fare class available in the cabin of service selected; however, as the plane fills up, so do the cheaper fare classes, meaning the next higher (and more expensive) fare class is for sale until the cabin is sold out.
Fare classes do not relate to where you sit within your purchased cabin, they are placeholders for how much you paid and establish a pecking order for upgrades.
Once all fare classes in a cabin have been sold, the cabin no longer has availability. Once all fare classes in all cabins have been sold, the flight no longer has availability and is considered sold out.
Revenue Fare Classes
Information about each Revenue Fare Class on KLM
Business
A comprehensive list of all known revenue and upgrade fare classes in the Business cabin on KLM. Click on an individual fare class to find out more information about upgrades, rules and other important information to maximize your SkyMiles earnings.
Premium Economy
A comprehensive list of all known revenue and upgrade fare classes in the Premium Economy cabin on KLM. Click on an individual fare class to find out more information about upgrades, rules and other important information to maximize your SkyMiles earnings.
Economy
A comprehensive list of all known revenue and upgrade fare classes in the Economy cabin on KLM. Click on an individual fare class to find out more information about upgrades, rules and other important information to maximize your SkyMiles earnings.
