What this piece is about
In January two thousand twenty-six, KLM (the Netherlands, Europe) invited readers to share travel preferences for the year, mixing bright destination ideas with profile settings, deals, and the quiet question of trust.
Key Takeaways
In brief
- A travel message can be both inspiration and data collection, because “preferences” help shape what offers appear next.
- The safest habit is to use official routes for travel actions: trusted websites and account pages, not surprise links or random phone numbers found by searching.
- Modern message checking is not magic: SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) are the main technical signals behind the scenes.
- A small language lesson works best with a full, simple meaning first, then a careful word-by-word view, plus tone and real-life use.
Story & Details
A polished invitation for a new year
The message opened with a “view online” option and a clear ask: share travel wishes for two thousand twenty-six. It spoke in a hopeful voice about discovering the world and enjoying memorable experiences, whether the dream was “faraway exotic destinations” or lively cities nearby. The promise was direct: enter travel preferences and receive content and deals that match personal interests, with a clear path to “edit my profile.”
Five places, five moods
A bold line framed the center: five unique trips for a bucket list. Then came a set of destination cards, each oddly tagged “Lissabon,” a Dutch spelling of Lisbon in Portugal (Europe), even when the city shown was elsewhere.
Tokyo in Japan (Asia) was painted in contrast: neon streets, delicious cuisine, serene temples, and busy neighborhoods, with a gentle push toward sushi and other typical dishes.
New York in the United States (North America) arrived as a city of lively neighborhoods and iconic skylines. The image was simple and active: cycle through Central Park, then end at a rooftop bar with a view.
Bangkok in Thailand (Asia) leaned into senses: scents, colors, and sounds, plus golden temples, lively markets, and boat trips on the Chao Phraya River.
Cape Town in South Africa (Africa) was framed as adventure and hidden gems: hikes with panoramic views and penguins at Boulders Beach.
Bonaire, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Europe) in the Caribbean (North America), was offered as water and wildlife: snorkeling with colorful fish, black coral at Klein Bonaire, small villages, flamingos in Washington Slagbaai, and an easy idea of tropical island life.
A teaser, then the practical buttons
A playful note followed: something exciting was “coming,” with a nudge to keep watching for the next message. The lower part turned functional: a link to view destinations, a simple one-to-five rating bar, a “questions” prompt, flight search, and app downloads for iOS and Android.
The footer also carried the usual control points: changing preferences, leaving the subscription, and the reminder that flights are operated by KLM. It described promotional newsletters as a stream of fares, inspiring destinations, news, and special occasions such as birthday offers, plus targeted help when a booking is started but not finished.
Privacy language that matters, and the lines that should raise attention
The message stated a privacy commitment: information is not shared with third parties without consent, and it pointed to Air France (France, Europe) security and confidentiality guidance and to KLM privacy policy pages. It also listed corporate identifiers and formal details, including company register numbers and corporate structure within the Air France–KLM group.
This is where the reader’s mindset should shift from dream mode to calm checking. A trustworthy travel message usually does not demand secrets in a hurry. It should not push for passwords, one-time codes, or payment details through surprise clicks. When a message asks for account action, the safer route is to reach the airline through official websites typed directly, or through the known account page, rather than following a link whose true destination is unknown.
Behind that practical habit sits technical infrastructure. Many large providers rely on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checks to reduce spoofing. In plain terms, SPF is a domain’s published “allowed sender list,” DKIM is a cryptographic signature that helps show a message was not changed in transit, and DMARC ties the visible “From” domain to those checks and states what to do when alignment fails. These signals are not a guarantee, but they are a strong foundation when combined with careful human judgment.
Mini Dutch lesson: clear first, then precise
A small, useful language lesson can mirror the same idea: start with the whole meaning so the brain holds the shape, then zoom in without losing tone.
Phrase: “Ik wil mijn profiel aanpassen.”
- Simple meaning: a direct, polite line for changing profile settings.
- Word-by-word:
- “Ik” = I
- “wil” = want
- “mijn” = my
- “profiel” = profile
- “aanpassen” = adjust / modify
- Tone and use: neutral and everyday; fine for service desks, apps, and account settings.
- Natural variants:
- “Ik wil mijn voorkeuren aanpassen.” (preference settings)
- “Kunt u mijn profiel aanpassen?” (more formal, asking someone for help)
Small note on a label: “Lissabon”
- Simple meaning: the city name “Lisbon,” shown in Dutch.
- Use: common on Dutch-language travel pages and route labels.
Conclusions
A calm way to hold both wonder and control
A travel message can be a small spark: five cities, a handful of vivid scenes, and the sense that the next trip is close. The same message can also be a data doorway, because preferences shape offers, timing, and content. In two thousand twenty-six, the strongest posture is simple: enjoy the inspiration, but keep control of the clicks, the profile, and the personal details.
Selected References
[1] https://www.klm.com.mx/en/information/legal/privacy-and-security
[2] https://www.klm.com.mx/en/information/legal/privacy-policy
[3] https://www.klm.com.mx/en/information/updates/newsletter
[4] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-office-365/email-authentication-about
[5] https://www.nist.gov/publications/email-authentication-mechanisms-dmarc-spf-and-dkim
[6] https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/TechnicalNotes/NIST.TN.1945.pdf
[7] https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams
[8] https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfdXrhOoNrQ
Appendix
Glossary
Air France: A major airline based in France (Europe) and part of the Air France–KLM group.
Android: A mobile operating system used on many phones, with app updates and security settings that affect account safety.
Bonaire: An island in the Caribbean (North America) that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Europe), known for snorkeling and marine life.
Cookie: A small data file stored by a website or app to remember choices, support security, and measure usage; some cookies also support advertising.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): A policy and reporting method that uses SPF and DKIM results and checks alignment with the visible sending domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): A digital signature system that helps receivers verify that key parts of a message were not altered after sending.
Flying Blue: The loyalty program linked to Air France (France, Europe) and KLM (the Netherlands, Europe), often used for profile settings and travel preferences.
KLM: Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, the Dutch national airline based in the Netherlands (Europe).
Lisbon: The capital city of Portugal (Europe), shown in Dutch as “Lissabon” on some travel labels.
MFA (Multi-factor Authentication): A sign-in method that asks for more than a password, such as a code or device approval, to reduce account takeover risk.
Phishing: A scam style that imitates a trusted brand to trick a person into sharing secrets or clicking harmful links.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework): A DNS-based rule that lists which servers are allowed to send on behalf of a domain.
Tokyo: A major city in Japan (Asia), often described through contrasts of modern life and traditional sites.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 