[vladnar]

My wife and my (minor) son travel often to Amsterdam (my son represents U.S. in major international tournaments - so time is of essence). We plan our trips well in advance, and since there is a direct flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam, we use Delta (the flights are operated by KLM).

During the past two years, the seats reserved for the flights were constantly cancelled (you all know the story: change of the equipment, seats are not guaranteed, KLM computers have not confirmed the seats, we did not get the confirmation, you are calling too early, you are calling too late, you will get the seats in the airport, nobody at KLM is answering the phones, please call tomorrow, the seat map is closed, the seat map has not been opened yet, it would be easy to change the seats on the plane, you have not entered the right code....).

O.K. My wife and my son are flying today, and we get a standard e-mail from Delta (24 hours ago): "Please, check In...". Go to the website, and find the following message: "NO RESERVATIONS EXIST UNDER THAT NAME" (bought the tickets three months ago). Called Customer Non-Service. Two hours...Somebody (NOBODY KNOWS WHO...- was told that the computers cancelled the reservations). Was told not to be concerned since the tickets from Amsterdam to San Francisco still exist.

Would've been funny - but scary (of course, it is all because of the computers).

Former Loyal Silver Club Member of Delta.

[azstar]

My advice is NEVER book a flight through a codeshare operator (Delta, in this case). Always book through the operating carrier. If you call KLM, they will probably have a record of your reservation.

[jimworcs]

I agree. The airlines codeshare agreements have nothing to do with customer service. They are entrely to stitch up markets and eliminate competition. The only way to beat this is never to book "codeshare". The truth is they cannot offer you the same service. They need permission from the other carrier to resolve problems anyway. Delta are notorious liars, and codeshare gives them that additional capacity to offer their traditional ability to blame someone else. I would never book Delta period, but if you are going via KLM, go direct.

[vladnar]

Thanks a lot. Will go to KLM directly. But the aftertaste stays (meaning Delta people who answered the phones). I just could not believe the arguments I was given.
Meanwhile, appreciate the advice.