I agree that this is a major devaluation. Emirates needs to realize that its brand name has taken a REAL beating with inconsistent service and cramped NARROW economy seating. Skywards was a great way for us to fly business relatively easy as compare to other airlines, and this fact I really liked about Emirates. But making it harder through this new program to accumulate miles, this will only force flyers like myself, who will now have to fly economy more often in order to get the miles, to look seriously at other airlines. SORRY Emirates, but you are NO longer the only game in town as you were 5-10 years ago. There is Qatar Airways with the same entertainment system, 5 star rated BETTER seating in Economy, and Eithad Airlines. I really hope that Emirates changes, or else its loyal passengers are going to be EX-EMIRATES passengers and start to fly Qatar Airways or Eithad!