I'm a Gold Elite Plus member of the KLM Sky Team Flying Blue programme, and have just received the following email.
We would like to advise you of a recent change to your paid seating privileges on KLM flights. Previously, Flying Blue Gold members could book seats with extra legroom and seats in a row of two free of charge. For Economy Comfort seating, Gold members enjoyed a 50% discount.
We have now aligned our policy across all paid seating options on KLM flights. This means you will now receive a 50% discount across all of the paid seating options available in KLM Economy Class – that is, seats with extra legroom, seats in a row of two and Economy Comfort seating.
This change makes KLM’s paid seating options more accessible for all of our Flying Blue Elite members. We hope that you understand the nature of this alignment and look forward to taking you further with the privileges of your Flying Blue membership.
I'm left wondering why the airlines would expect customers to remain loyal anymore? Essentially they are saying "something we used to give you free as a reward for your loyalty we're now going to charge you for, albeit with a discount."