Emirates Skywards - Any unwritten benefits of Gold status?

I recently reached Gold and now I wonder what that means. I was a little underwhelmed when I read about the benefits on the skywards page, but then I have to admit it was fairly easy to reach that status. In any case, for my traval pattern some things come with my class of travel anyway, so not much added benefits there.

What I am wondering though is whether there are any "unwritten" benefits of Gold, the kind of extra attention or generosity that is offered sometimes or all times for Gold members, but not published so that people can't "claim" them. Do Emirates staff care about Gold customers at all? What about things like upgrades? I would assume that Emirates handles this like a European airline, i.e. upgrades only when the lower cabin is full. But then, who gets it? Golds first, then Silvers, then the rest? Or staff and their F+F? Lastly, does EK reserve some seats on its planes that can only be pre-selected by status members and become available to the general public only when CKI opens?

Oh, and I still donßt have my card. How long does it typically take to arrive in Europe?

Forget "unwritten benefits" - most of the published benefits of Gold membership aren't even provided properly.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards/1220555-what-exactly-point-skywards-gold-anymore.html

On the routes I fly (primarily Accra, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Beijing), it is not unusual for more than half the plane to be Gold sometimes. You are just a number.

half the plane?

Wow, I would change my surname to start with AA then. Lol

Blocking seats or a row of 4 in Y would be an unpublished benefit I would say.

half the plane?

More than half.

Most recently I had 112 Golds and 38 Silvers out of 204 in Economy out of Accra. ~100 Golds is pretty much par for the course.

I've also seen 227 and 153 Golds respectively on flights ex-Guangzhou.

Gold is only useful for the lounge access that allows you pre-flight dining and therefore a chance to catch up on sleep during the flight. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

Gold is only useful for the lounge access that allows you pre-flight dining and therefore a chance to catch up on sleep during the flight. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

That really depends on class of travel. If travelling in 1st or business , lounge access is afforded anyway. Personally I use hotels for sleeping

I have managed 2 uses of a gold benefit during my time of having status; last year I took a guest into the 1st lounge and on one of my few business class flights I received an involuntary upgrade to 1st class

I maintain status easily, but due to that, the status doesn't provide much

These are the unwritten benefits I have had because I am gold

All ex LGW

1. All seats next to me were blocked for me when I had to travel in Y for a personal trip

2. I have always had the purser come to me even in Y and ask If I needed any help (This is the usual on most flights depending on the number of golds so not much value unless one is after an ego kick:rolleyes:)

But, if you are in Y the purser always instructs the crew to ensure that your meal choice is taken first and that you get YOUR choice of meal (if you have not already asked for a special meal). I also usually get served before the other pax(This can be a bit embarassing if there are hungry children around you;);))

As the other members have posted these benefits are unwritten and probably impossible to do if there are large numbers of Golds. My experience in Y on EK is limited to LGW-DXB and DXB-LGW.

But, if you are in Y the purser always instructs the crew to ensure that your meal choice is taken first and that you get YOUR choice of meal (if you have not already asked for a special meal).
Doesn't happen for me all the time, it is entirely dependent on the service mindset of the cabin crew.

Be interesting to see what "benefits" over and above the existing published ones the pending 4th tier bring.

Whoops. Did I say that out loud....:)

I agree with many posters above. If you're in J or F, no real benefits for Gold pax. I also think it is dependent on if you fly out of the same port on a regular basis. For example, I shuttle between 2 cities a lot. I know many of the staff. While I've never tested it - I know I've never had a recent issue with lounge access or once, getting a party of 3 upgraded (where they op-upped one person and used my miles for the other 2).

Remember. If EK had there way there would not even be a Skywards. It was a "bone" they had to throw out there. The only benefit to being a Gold that I have seen is the mileage bonus. I always travel F so the lounge benefit is nothing. The extra luggage does not count if flying to the US which are half of my flights. The first few years of Skywards 1999-2002 I used to get a Vodka Tonic without ordering it. Now that was a nice benefit

Bottom line is if mileage is the most important thing to you, Emirates is the wrong airline. If Hard and Soft product is what's the most important, then you should be happy w Skywards

I asked a while back a few different executives I know about a "100,000" mile level and they laughed. Then we would have customers expecting MORE then we already give was there response. My GF's a F/A w EK and she says she has had a hard time w Gold Members expecting to much (at times) I don't take her side in that but I kinda of can understand it. You get a big new plane w a good crew and good food AND DRINKS. A 380 w a lounge (in C ) and shower if your in F, and let's not forget the limo transfers and lounges. What should we expect as a Gold that we don't already get? Or here is a better question. What other airlines give you all that?

Bottom line is if mileage is the most important thing to you, Emirates is the wrong airline. If Hard and Soft product is what's the most important, then you should be happy w Skywards.

What should we expect as a Gold that we don't already get?

Up until recently, I would have agreed with you. But with some of the recent new double miles promos, consolidated with accelerator bonuses, recent trips have been earning me a decent swag (ie 102,000 redeemable miles for SIN-AKL return in F). So I think the "earn" rates are good. The burn rates are horrible.

But then again, for the dates I want - I can easily find a flex reward across multiple dates, if I want to pay the miles. That to me, is probably the crux. I do compare (perhaps unfairly) EK's program to my US airline programs and their traditional earn/burn rates.

But, if you are in Y the purser always instructs the crew to ensure that your meal choice is taken first and that you get YOUR choice of meal (if you have not already asked for a special meal). I also usually get served before the other pax

Why is this a good thing??? They just wind up disturbing you in their hamfisted efforts.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards/1349125-poor-management-meal-choices.html

There used to be (maybe still is) an unwritten Gold benefit at JFK. If you arrive very early (before check in opens), there is a small desk near the ticket counter. The person manning this desk would check you in, and look after your luggage for you. So, you could then go through security and into the lounge.

If you were Silver or below, you could check in at the desk, but then had to hang around waiting for the bag drop desks to open - so, not much of a benefit.

Up until recently, I would have agreed with you. But with some of the recent new double miles promos, consolidated with accelerator bonuses, recent trips have been earning me a decent swag (ie 102,000 redeemable miles for SIN-AKL return in F). So I think the "earn" rates are good. The burn rates are horrible.

But then again, for the dates I want - I can easily find a flex reward across multiple dates, if I want to pay the miles. That to me, is probably the crux. I do compare (perhaps unfairly) EK's program to my US airline programs and their traditional earn/burn rates.

I made the mistake of comparing Skywards to my UA MP account and that's the wrong way to go about it. Sure, MP is a great program. The problem is its UAs program :) When I started flying EK there was no Skywards but I was happy to give up the miles to fly a better airline (I still am) but your right. With all the bonuses, dbl miles, sector bonuses etc etc it's gotten easy to rack up miles w EK. The burn really is not to bad considereing both the earn rate and how easy it is (compared to other airlines) to find award space. Emirates, IMHO, has gone in the right direction w Skywards. They don't want to create a monster they can't control (like in the US and Europe), they are not interested in "mileage runners" and people finding ways to game there system (which is easy if you don't give away to much) and most importantly, EK (like SQ and CX) does not value any single frequent flyer over a true full fare first passenger which is just as it should be (and probably why these 3 airlines don't have a problem filling the front w FF passengers)
I'll stick to EK whenever PSBL and when not, UAs program is really the best I've found simply because of *A and the ability not only to earn regular miles, but all the bonuses on LH, NH, etc)

There used to be (maybe still is) an unwritten Gold benefit at JFK. If you arrive very early (before check in opens), there is a small desk near the ticket counter. The person manning this desk would check you in, and look after your luggage for you. So, you could then go through security and into the lounge.

If you were Silver or below, you could check in at the desk, but then had to hang around waiting for the bag drop desks to open - so, not much of a benefit.

The ticket counter will do that too but I thought it was more a F class thing??

JFK has a good station manager. A few times instead of flying non stop JFK-DXB I have flown JFK-FRA on SQ connecting in FRA to EK (I do that to get on flights my GF works. She's a German Speaker so works FRA/HAM/MUC a lot. SQ uses the Virgin lounge at JFK which is a great lounge but very crowded. The EK lounge is empty at that time in the evening and even though it's against the rules, they have always let me use the EK lounge when flying SQ (as long as I'm connecting to EK of course)

...and most importantly, EK (like SQ and CX) does not value any single frequent flyer over a true full fare first passenger which is just as it should be (and probably why these 3 airlines don't have a problem filling the front w FF passengers)


With the only exception being of course their i/O program, which I can assure you is where they do value the single frequent flyer who actually qualifies for the program...over and above virtually anyone else.

With the only exception being of course their i/O program, which I can assure you is where they do value the single frequent flyer who actually qualifies for the program...over and above virtually anyone else.

Not as much as you might think. YES, valued more then any other single flyer but they ain't gonna bump someone from F for him When it's full. I know 2 I/OS and they both say it's just a feel good thing they got for controlling the travel budgets of large local companies. The reason I said they won't bump a F pax for them is one of the benefits is a guaranteed seat in C on any flight, even sold out. The guy I know needed to get on a sold out flight to SIN. HE WANTED F (TO PAY FOR OF COURSE) and they told him NO!!! They would bump a C pax for him but not an F
It's really just a nice card and makes you feel important but you don't get anything real special. At least according to the 2 I/Os I know. .......I just asked my GF (a F/A w EK). She said on board the pilot will come say hello. WOW. (she's laughing)

Not as much as you might think. YES, valued more then any other single flyer but they ain't gonna bump someone from F for him When it's full. I know 2 I/OS and they both say it's just a feel good thing they got for controlling the travel budgets of large local companies. The reason I said they won't bump a F pax for them is one of the benefits is a guaranteed seat in C on any flight, even sold out. The guy I know needed to get on a sold out flight to SIN. HE WANTED F (TO PAY FOR OF COURSE) and they told him NO!!! They would bump a C pax for him but not an F
It's really just a nice card and makes you feel important but you don't get anything real special. At least according to the 2 I/Os I know. .......I just asked my GF (a F/A w EK). She said on board the pilot will come say hello. WOW. (she's laughing)

Come on, why should any airline bump an F passenger for an Elite-level traveller? I bet there are still enough benefits left (e.g., first to be operationally upgraded, F lounge access with any ticket, stuff like that).

Come on, why should any airline bump an F passenger for an Elite-level traveller? I bet there are still enough benefits left (e.g., first to be operationally upgraded, F lounge access with any ticket, stuff like that).

They don't need F lounge access as they are generally F passengers. (besides, regular Gold members get that). You miss my point. A full F passenger should NEVER be bumped....(but it happens all the time on UA). One of the reasons "Top Tier" is kind of unnecessary on EK Zis they already treat ALL there F passengers like kings. Other then M&G, there is nothing they can offer that everyone already gets). My point was I/O is really a gimmick as they don't get many benefits at all (compared to traditional American or European FF Programs). The one nice benefit is a guaranteed seat in C, even on a sold out flight. (most other airlines give this to top tiers but only Y). So they WILL bump a FF C pax for an I/O if they must.

They don't need F lounge access as they are generally F passengers. (besides, regular Gold members get that). You miss my point. A full F passenger should NEVER be bumped....(but it happens all the time on UA). One of the reasons "Top Tier" is kind of unnecessary on EK Zis they already treat ALL there F passengers like kings. Other then M&G, there is nothing they can offer that everyone already gets). My point was I/O is really a gimmick as they don't get many benefits at all (compared to traditional American or European FF Programs). The one nice benefit is a guaranteed seat in C, even on a sold out flight. (most other airlines give this to top tiers but only Y). So they WILL bump a FF C pax for an I/O if they must.

i think a good critique of the higher tiers in this thread. I think though what the higher tiers offer, in particular io, would be consistency which in the past has annoyed me (ie lack thereof). Sometimes getting a welcome and sometimes not etc. At least with the io you won't be getting wound up by the inconsistency that happens even at the gold level.

I also doubt most io's travel in 1st, the example cited in this thread of 2 io's getting the card due to company travel expenditure is case in point. There are not many companies in the current climate who sanction 1st class travel. And yes sometimes even rich people travel in economy when they go on holiday!

i think a good critique of the higher tiers in this thread. I think though what the higher tiers offer, in particular io, would be consistency which in the past has annoyed me (ie lack thereof). Sometimes getting a welcome and sometimes not etc. At least with the io you won't be getting wound up by the inconsistency that happens even at the gold level.

I also doubt most io's travel in 1st, the example cited in this thread of 2 io's getting the card due to company travel expenditure is case in point. There are not many companies in the current climate who sanction 1st class travel. And yes sometimes even rich people travel in economy when they go on holiday!

I don't know about that. I reckon the majority of the 250 odd I/O's would be in F - just have a look at the premium loads in F on the DXB-SIN and DXB-LHR runs to name a few. DXB-JFK is also a high yield F sector. I also think the majority of the io base will be out of DXB. We're going to be in DXB this week and will try and find out more.

I agree with you re the consistency issue. That would be a key benefit.

In recent months, whenever I was flying in Economy (am sitting now on a A380 on flight to MUC) my seat next to me was empty. And the cabin is really really full. Could be a complete coincidence but could be also a unpublished benefit (like what you get as *G). If this was true, this would be me the ultimate benefit when traveling in Y. But I guess, they'd never make it public because with the sheer amount of Gold on certain routes, it is not feasible (think about all these ACC -DXB flights that our forum member B747 is talking about).

Any more data points?

In recent months, whenever I was flying in Economy (am sitting now on a A380 on flight to MUC) my seat next to me was empty. And the cabin is really really full. Could be a complete coincidence but could be also a unpublished benefit (like what you get as *G). If this was true, this would be me the ultimate benefit when traveling in Y. But I guess, they'd never make it public because with the sheer amount of Gold on certain routes, it is not feasible (think about all these ACC -DXB flights that our forum member B747 is talking about).

Any more data points?

They are able to block seats for anyone if you ask nicely, but I don't know if they do it proactively for Golds.

Just yesterday flying J, SIN were able to arrange for a pick up just 16 hours before departure, seat beside me was blocked on the plane (I asked for it), got the welcome from the SFS and since I only wanted starters and dessert they had it ready on a tray as soon as wheels were up, got a wine from F though I was in J.

I don't know how many of these are because of good service or because I am Gold. But (and this will probably annoy B747-347B), I mentioned that I wanted to sleep through the flight and the SFS said he would let the crew working my side of the cabin know. Didn't need any pink stickers, and slept like a baby through a landing, transit and take off in Colombo!

But (and this will probably annoy B747-347B), I mentioned that I wanted to sleep through the flight and the SFS said he would let the crew working my side of the cabin know. Didn't need any pink stickers, and slept like a baby through a landing, transit and take off in Colombo!

Why would it annoy me to see them doing their jobs properly? You DID eat however, which changes things. I'm willing to wager that if you hadn't eaten immediately after departure, someone would have woken you up to ask you if you wanted to eat, no matter what you had told them before.

They are able to block seats for anyone if you ask nicely, but I don't know if they do it proactively for Golds.

Just yesterday flying J, SIN were able to arrange for a pick up just 16 hours before departure, seat beside me was blocked on the plane (I asked for it), got the welcome from the SFS and since I only wanted starters and dessert they had it ready on a tray as soon as wheels were up, got a wine from F though I was in J.

I don't know how many of these are because of good service or because I am Gold. But (and this will probably annoy B747-347B), I mentioned that I wanted to sleep through the flight and the SFS said he would let the crew working my side of the cabin know. Didn't need any pink stickers, and slept like a baby through a landing, transit and take off in Colombo!


I have had seats blocked before. I think having a higher status helps but ultimately if you are pleasant / charming / desperate delete as appropriate most of the time at least in my experience they try to do something for you.

I've found with EK it's entirely dependent on the ground staff who move from checkin to the gate re: upgrades. Then inflight, cabin crew do sometimes come & greet me personally; and ask my meal/drink order ahead of everyone. Which is a nice touch (better than indifference). But it seems to be up to the cabin crew you have for that flight if it happens because it's not consistent. And aside from my recent rant about a bad flight I think compared to gold tier in KrisFlyer the skywards benefits in EK are good. As I fly economy most often, the luggage allowance & lounge access (though perhaps not such a perk in CGK - those lounges need major renovation and edible food) are the greatest perks.

During my last 2 trips from LGW , the check in agent put a
Premium sticker on my LGW to DXB boarding pass and I was allowed to
Use the premium (old fast track) section for security. I was only in Y and normally this is given only to J and F.
This is much better than the old fast track. The new premium has a separate entrance and is much more faster than the old fast track(which was just a separate queue).

It's quite near the EK check in desk as well.

What I am wondering though is whether there are any "unwritten" benefits of Gold, the kind of extra attention or generosity that is offered sometimes or all times for Gold members, but not published so that people can't "claim" them.

There may be some unwritten benefits depending on the route but in general, very little. The only one I can think of is that when you fly to Australia (MEL at least), gold members are given the express immigration cards even if travelling in economy (otherwise, you only get them in first and business). Those cards give you access to the express queue which, depending in the exact landing time of the EK flight and all those SQ and QF 380's, may save you a lot of time and anxiety in getting through customs and immigration.

Same time when departing but at least on the EK departure to SIN, the queues are mostly non-existent so the card is not as useful as on arrival.

gold members are given the express immigration cards even if travelling in economy (otherwise, you only get them in first and business). Those cards give you access to the express queue which, depending in the exact landing time of the EK flight and all those SQ and QF 380's, may save you a lot of time and anxiety in getting through customs and immigration.


Obviously a random thing, mate.

Never had this in Y class.

Obviously a random thing, mate.

Never had this in Y class.

But the thread title is 'any unwritten benefits of gold status':D

Getting premium/fast track cards,higher chances of upgrades, Guaranteed choice of meals etc while flying Y are all unwritten benefits and cannot be demanded. It depends on the check in agents, crew and other factors.

AFAIK the only guaranteed fast track for EK Golds is at Dubai airport .

Obviously a random thing, mate.

Never had this in Y class.

Strange lah! I get it each time without fail. Rather unique sort of randomness you are experiencing.

int get_rnd_bit() {
return (0); // picked with a cryptographically secure bit generator so guaranteed to be unpredictable
}

Apologies to all the non-geeks who probably don't see what's so funny about the above. Wonder whether geeks find it funny, either...

Strange lah! I get it each time without fail. Rather unique sort of randomness you are experiencing.

int get_rnd_bit() {
return (0); // picked with a cryptographically secure bit generator so guaranteed to be unpredictable
}

Apologies to all the non-geeks who probably don't see what's so funny about the above. Wonder whether geeks find it funny, either...

Sounds like the Debian Random number generator. ;)

http://pocitace.tomasek.cz/debian-randomness/img/tcv80ipepkza7.jpg

Sorry for more geek stuff. ;)

I fly MEL-SIN 1-2x a month in economy, the unwritten benefits I see are :

-Express card for immigration/customs
-Someone welcoming you onboard and asking if you need anything
-Choice of meal first, and then meal brought to you first (a bit erratic)
-I arrived very late (45 mins before departure) and was told flight was closed, until they saw my gold card and then managed to get me on.
-I have been on so many flights now that are pretty much full and had the seat next to me empty that I think they block these for gold members until absolutely full.

I don't think there are a lot of gold members flying this route, I see maybe 5 or so on the list (at most) when I go to the lounge.

I fly MEL-SIN 1-2x a month in economy, the unwritten benefits I see are :

-Express card for immigration/customs
-Someone welcoming you onboard and asking if you need anything
-Choice of meal first, and then meal brought to you first (a bit erratic)
-I arrived very late (45 mins before departure) and was told flight was closed, until they saw my gold card and then managed to get me on.
-I have been on so many flights now that are pretty much full and had the seat next to me empty that I think they block these for gold members until absolutely full.

I don't think there are a lot of gold members flying this route, I see maybe 5 or so on the list (at most) when I go to the lounge.


Exactly. I am sure that the unwritten benefits are applicable only if there are very few golds flying on that route. It is not practical to do all of the above if the flight is gold heavy. As some members have posted before there are flights with over a 100 gold pax in one flight for example:)

Sounds like the Debian Random number generator. ;)

http://pocitace.tomasek.cz/debian-randomness/img/tcv80ipepkza7.jpg

Sorry for more geek stuff. ;)

Except mine is more secure. A dice produces random quantities if and only if rolled from a random starting position with a random force. Just like an unbiased coin only produces random quantities when flipped with a random force.

Therefore, using dice or coin as a source of randomness is only useful if one has access to a source randomness to parameterise the toss or flip. Ergo: given that neither dice nor coin significantly expands the quantity of randomness generated from a source of entropy, their usefulness is more than questionable.

This groundbreaking finding is guaranteed to revolutionise the academic crypto community. Now... where do I sign up for my $100B IPO?

Except mine is more secure. A dice produces random quantities if and only if rolled from a random starting position with a random force. Just like an unbiased coin only produces random quantities when flipped with a random force.

Therefore, using dice or coin as a source of randomness is only useful if one has access to a source randomness to parameterise the toss or flip. Ergo: given that neither dice nor coin significantly expands the quantity of randomness generated from a source of entropy, their usefulness is more than questionable.

This groundbreaking finding is guaranteed to revolutionise the academic crypto community. Now... where do I sign up for my $100B IPO?

Oh yes... one unwritten gold benefit: free lectures in IT security and cryptography related consipiracy theories - whether you want one or not :)

I fly MEL-SIN 1-2x a month in economy, the unwritten benefits I see are :

-Express card for immigration/customs
-Someone welcoming you onboard and asking if you need anything
-Choice of meal first, and then meal brought to you first (a bit erratic)
-I arrived very late (45 mins before departure) and was told flight was closed, until they saw my gold card and then managed to get me on.
-I have been on so many flights now that are pretty much full and had the seat next to me empty that I think they block these for gold members until absolutely full.

I don't think there are a lot of gold members flying this route, I see maybe 5 or so on the list (at most) when I go to the lounge.

Quite similar with my experiences flying to MEL 2-3 times per month, sometimes in economy, sometimes in first [not often in business].

If the SIN-MEL is generally light on golds, aren't the SIN-MEL frequenters somewhat over-represented on this board?

Up until recently, I would have agreed with you. But with some of the recent new double miles promos, consolidated with accelerator bonuses, recent trips have been earning me a decent swag (ie 102,000 redeemable miles for SIN-AKL return in F). So I think the "earn" rates are good. The burn rates are horrible.

But then again, for the dates I want - I can easily find a flex reward across multiple dates, if I want to pay the miles. That to me, is probably the crux. I do compare (perhaps unfairly) EK's program to my US airline programs and their traditional earn/burn rates.

Then you are lucky, as so far, I have never found any miles promo on the routes I fly, offered in J. Am I doing something wrong?