Skyteam member KLM offers some attractive business class fares its home base in Amsterdam, offering nonstop services to American West Coast destinations like Los Angeles and Vancouver as low as €1,372. These flights are available from October 2020 through April 2021. Of course, it is still a bit of a gamble to buy these tickets, as we cannot tell when international travel will be possible again. You might want to check KLM’s rebooking policy before buying a premium ticket.
KLM has extended this offer. It is now available until June 30, 2020.
You can find nonstop flights to the following US and Canadian West Coast destinations:
- Calgary at €1,372
- Vancouver at €1,372
- Los Angeles at €1,398
- San Francisco at €1,398
- Portland at €1,398
- Seattle at €1,398
Most Canadian and US nonstop destinations like New York and Miami are available at the same price.
Flights to Portland are operated by Delta Air Lines, featuring their newly implemented Delta One cabin. You can also fly Air France with a stop in Paris to most of these destinations.
Search & Book
The fare rules say these fares remain online until June 30, 2020. They may run out of availability earlier. A minimum stay of at least one night from Saturday to Sunday applies. The maximum stay is three months. Further, these fares seem to be exclusively available for Tuesday and Wednesday departures. They show scattered availability from October 2020 through April 2021.
You can fire up Google Flights (instructions) to check availabilities and find suiting flight dates. These fares are available on KLM.com, where we strongly recommend booking them.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Tickets are issued in booking class Z. This results in an Amsterdam to Los Angeles roundtrip yielding the following number of award miles:
- 13,676 Award Miles + 200 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 13,676 RDM + 2,052 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 10,258 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 8,548 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 8,548 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 8,548 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 8,548 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 8,548 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 8,548 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 8,548 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 8,548 Miles on Air Europa Suma
- 8,548 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 8,548 Miles on ITA Volare
- 8,548 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 6,838 Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Customize Calculation
KLM’s World Business Class
According to a number of reviews, KLM’s Business Class is a middle-of-the-pack product. It is praised for seat length and quality of service. On the other hand, a major point of complaint is food quality, seat width and lack of storage, especially in their older layouts. However, their new Boeing 787 premium cabin (available to New York and Toronto) receives more praise. You can find a more detailed review about it here and one about the slightly older 777 Business Class here.
Information & Tips for USA
The United States offers a wide range of tourist sights, from national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and card payments are widely accepted. Prices vary by region but can be high in major cities, especially for accommodation and dining. Weather differs greatly across the country—winters can be harsh in the north, while the south often stays mild; summers are generally hot and humid in many areas.
The U.S. transport infrastructure is highly car-dependent, especially outside major cities. Urban centres like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have functional public transit, but many other cities have limited options. Between cities, domestic flights are common for long distances, while intercity buses and Amtrak trains cover some routes, though often with slower speeds and less frequency compared to other countries. Without a car, getting around can be inconvenient in many parts of the country.
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The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
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Information & Tips for Canada
Canada offers a wide range of attractions, from the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park to the vibrant cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The currency used is the Canadian dollar (CAD), and credit cards are widely accepted. Prices can vary, but Canada is generally more expensive than many other destinations, particularly in major cities. The weather varies significantly by region, with cold winters and mild summers in most areas, while the west coast enjoys milder winters. The best time to visit is usually summer or early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
Canada’s transport infrastructure is well-developed, with reliable public transit systems in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, including buses, subways, and light rail. However, outside of these urban areas, public transport can be limited, and a car is often necessary for getting around. Between cities, domestic flights are common, especially for long distances, but trains and buses are also available, though travel times can be lengthy. Road conditions are generally good, and driving is a popular way to explore the country.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and Maya Mobile. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Canada 🇨🇦 Compared
→ All Dealz for Canada