I haven't heard anything. I was pretty excited about the EK partnership and even happened to make it on the inaugural DXB-SEA flight, but I my enthusiasm has waned. Between the ongoing devaluation of the BoA Visa and the delayed availability of EK awards, I am shifting most of my earning to other programs so as to possibly redeem for an EK award someday (and to earn AS awards for fewer miles than in Mileage Plan.)