Apr 1, 2016, 2:31 pm
Last edit by: Duke787
Alaska Airlines has published a Q&A blog post about the changes to Emirates redemption levels. Below is a sampling of the key Q&As.
The full blog post can be found here: https://blog.alaskaair.com/emirates-redemptions/
Why is Mileage Plan making this change?
Alaska’s premium Emirates awards have long been known as an exceptionally good deal. With the rise of “travel-hacking,” intended to exploit Mileage Plan’s award routing rules, coupled with below-market award levels, our previous award levels were unsustainable. The new award levels enable Alaska to continue to offer Emirates Business Class and First Class as a redemption option
Alaska’s premium Emirates awards have long been known as an exceptionally good deal. With the rise of “travel-hacking,” intended to exploit Mileage Plan’s award routing rules, coupled with below-market award levels, our previous award levels were unsustainable. The new award levels enable Alaska to continue to offer Emirates Business Class and First Class as a redemption option
What if I purchased miles intending to book Emirates Business or First Class before I had a chance to book at the previous award level?
If you purchased miles on or after March 1, 2016, you can contact our Customer Care team for a refund.
If you purchased miles on or after March 1, 2016, you can contact our Customer Care team for a refund.
Why didn’t Mileage Plan give advance notice? How can I expect other awards to not change suddenly?
Given the dynamics of this particular award, we were unable to announce changes in advance. This approach doesn’t represent a new normal. Our policy is to communicate significant program changes with at least 30 days’ notice when at all possible.
Given the dynamics of this particular award, we were unable to announce changes in advance. This approach doesn’t represent a new normal. Our policy is to communicate significant program changes with at least 30 days’ notice when at all possible.
I’ve been saving my miles for this award. What am I supposed to do?
You’ll continue to have access to awards in premium cabins on our other partners with coverage to most of the same destinations. Future changes, if any, to these award levels will be given with advance notice.
You’ll continue to have access to awards in premium cabins on our other partners with coverage to most of the same destinations. Future changes, if any, to these award levels will be given with advance notice.
Emirates awards on AS devalued with no notice
Jun 7, 2016, 1:03 pm
#556
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
Jan 18, 2018, 10:07 am
#558
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 105
Received an expertflyer notification that a J Saver seat is available on Emirates and confirmed on Emirates website, but it is not showing on Alaska yet. How long does it take for Alaska to be able to see the available space?
Apr 16, 2018, 12:30 pm
#560
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...and-conditions
You're welcome to try a suit. The legal precedent on these types of suits is not particularly encouraging, in that US courts have held that you are preempted from suing airlines about frequent flyer programs in state courts.
https://thepointsguy.com/2014/04/us-...equent-flyers/
No rights of any kind accrue in the Mileage Plan program except as specifically defined herein.
Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan program may be modified by Alaska Airlines at any time
Alaska Airlines reserves the right to establish redemption rules and to set the number of miles required to obtain Mileage Plan benefits, including award travel and upgrades, which are subject to change at Alaska Airlines' sole discretion without notice.
The accumulation of mileage in a member's account does not entitle the member to any vested rights with respect to any specific awards or specific Mileage Plan benefits. In accumulating mileage, members may not rely upon the continued availability of any award or award level, and members may not be able to obtain awards for all destinations or flights. Alaska Airlines may, among other things:
- Change Mileage Plan benefits, participant affiliations, or cities served
- Limit the number of seats available for award travel or otherwise restrict the continued availability of travel awards or special offers
- Increase or decrease the mileage required for an award
- Modify transferability of miles and awards
https://thepointsguy.com/2014/04/us-...equent-flyers/
The Justices decided unanimously that the action fell under the Airline Deregulation Act, which says states cannot regulate the price, route or service of an air carrier, and thus was thus not subject to Minnesota state contract law.
Apr 16, 2018, 12:58 pm
#563
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: US West Coast
Programs: Alaska 100K, Hyatt Gl, Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 353
Apr 16, 2018, 1:11 pm
#564
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...hange-we-need/
The Supreme Court in essence decided that:
- A state contract claim reading in a doctrine of good faith and fair dealing is that state regulating a frequent flyer program.
- A frequent flyer program is part and parcel of an airline.
- A frequent flyer program is more or less a rebate on air travel, so regulating a frequent flyer program is regulating airline pricing.
- Therefore the Airline Deregulation Act, which preempts state regulation of airlines, also preempts state court claims based on good faith and fair dealing against frequent flyer programs.
We need a consumer with a valid claim against an airline who has earned all their points from non-flight activity and who either redeems their points for non-flight awards or who at the very least hasn’t redeemed their points for airline travel.
That consumer can distinguish their cases from Ginsberg, and could (over the course of several years, unfortunately) have their voice heard in the Courts. It will be an expensive proposition (though far less expensive than building the mechanisms for DOT oversight). But it could succeed. And we’d have back the Courts as a check against the worst excesses of the programs, whereas now they’re more or less unchecked.
That consumer can distinguish their cases from Ginsberg, and could (over the course of several years, unfortunately) have their voice heard in the Courts. It will be an expensive proposition (though far less expensive than building the mechanisms for DOT oversight). But it could succeed. And we’d have back the Courts as a check against the worst excesses of the programs, whereas now they’re more or less unchecked.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Apr 16, 2018 at 1:18 pm