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Taken April 2003 from Kansas City to Istanbul

My 4th trip to Turkey in 18 months, and 3rd time with KLM/Northwest. I purchased also 1 ticket each for my sons round trip Kansas City to Istanbul, Turkey. My fiance is in Turkey, therefore I don't expect much from the airline except to get me there as expected.

My last trip was in April during the Iraq War. I bought the ticket at the end of March 2003, and checked in at Kansas City April 9th. At that time I asked if I could get different seats assigned and the Northwest ticket agent did this. I am a frequent flyer with KLM/Northwest World Perks, therefore I am aware they have adequate contact information for me. When I left my fiance's home at midnight on April 25th for a scheduled 05.55 flight out of Istanbul, travelled to the airport at a minimum expense of $75, I fully expected to be leaving Turkey to return home AT 05.55.

However, upon arrival at the airport, I discovered this flight had been cancelled over one month in advance due to low passenger travel. I was given choices, such as 1) take the later flight and stay overnight in Amsterdam at my own expense or 2) take another flight in the afternoon arriving Kansas City near midnight. Because my pick-up at Kansas City had to be coordinated with a friend, I incurred an additional expense of an international cell phone call to learn that she had family plans taking her away until 2 days later. We coordinated a flight for April 27th.

I have contacted Northwest/KLM about their poor customer service and complained that no one attempted to contact me through my World Perks info, even though my tickets were booked over 2 weeks prior to my departure flight, and "after the supposed cancellation of all early morning flights out of Istanbul".

Their response was to state that they would use my report for future customer relations. I requested some consideration for the expense incurred for double trips to the airport, and consideration to keep me as a valued customer. No response.