Upgrade Award currently in Flex from FRA to DXB 25.000
New Flex / Flex plus will cost 30.000, so 20% more miles.

Upgrade Award currently in Saver currently 32.000
New Safer will cost 57.500...

I would name it a systematic devaluation of the miles in our accounts.

However it was a question of time for this, many other airlines did the same in the last years. In the good old times 2 return flights from Europe to Asia in economy, cheapest fare bucket in one year gave you silver status / 4 returns gold status respective. This was one of the reasons why EK became attractive and could fill their planes easily (besides comfort, catering and entertainment). This was in 2009 / 2010. EK has grown enormous in the last years. I assume they have now enough passengers who are able and willing to pay more, so they try (and will) select those clients who will be worth it to be "rewarded", this will become in the end those ones, who spend more money for their tickets than the "average traveller".

Also to consider is the fact of their saving in the books with reducing the value of the accumulated miles which are currently sitting in the accounts of the active members. Not really an enhancement for the traveller, but for sure a big enhancement for the company-profit.

I am sure many will cry in the next days, however, there is not much what we can do, except to decide, if the company who does not value my loyality anymore, still deserves my money. But as EK has already a huge market-share in many locations. I have my doubts that EK cares about those people who will now changing their business to competitors. This is already calculated and in many cases there is a lack of options in regards of fare / destination / avaliabilty. In my opinion the FFP´s are seen now as a cost factor, rather than a marketing instrument. So this will be for sure not the last change.

The real question is, when and what will be the next "enhancement" ?

Happy flying