I can understand the decision and think that 'voting with your feet' is the only way to show EK that they lost their godwill with you. Yes they likely will not care but hey at least you are not making them grow any fatter.

As far as EK vs. QR is concerned I can't really comment too much as my experience on both carriers is limited. However, everytime I took EK in C or Y in thelast years I was "underwhelmed" to say it diplomatically. Tight cabins, too many equipment / seat versions around, highly varying ground staff experiences (usually from okay to bad) and DXB having become more like a zoo then an efficently working airport. Add the lost price advantage of the old (okay very old) days and the annoying midnight stops on flights to / from Europe to SE Asia and it is not for me.

However, it surely will work for others and in the end one can find people who had many great experiences with carrier A and bad ones with carrier B and vice versa. So in the end I think we should take our money where we feel we get the best value / experience. If it is EK, QR, EY or the likes of SQ, TG, LH, CX etc doesn't really matter. Our only chance really to make an impact on a personal level. Just my 2 cents

Cheers ...