Saver VS Flex Fare Changes...
Apr 17, 2011 | 6:12 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: EK Silver, LH SEN, CX Gold, UA 2P, DJ Silver, Sixt Gold, PC Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 148
Come back to LH CL!
Am sitting in the FRA FCL on my way to Mumbai, and the UA/LH combo is just awesome with being able to use SWU's to u/g to F on LH subject to availability - which is completely fair and makes sense that you can't confirm these in advance, but that you can get them at the airport.
With the addition of CO and the EWR-India non-stops, UA/LH just blows EK out of the water for residents in the US traveling to India regularly on work in paid C/J.
Have one last EK trip booked this summer with my wife and infant son on Y (the change in lounge access rules has really turned me off EK), and will try to use my ~150K odd EK miles to upgrade. If not - I'll buy something on High Street and am calling it curtains on EK. May still make the occasional J trip on EK if the fare is low, but there's almost no value in keeping Gold when flying on J and so it's certainly curtains on EK Gold, even if not on EK itself.
Am sitting in the FRA FCL on my way to Mumbai, and the UA/LH combo is just awesome with being able to use SWU's to u/g to F on LH subject to availability - which is completely fair and makes sense that you can't confirm these in advance, but that you can get them at the airport.
With the addition of CO and the EWR-India non-stops, UA/LH just blows EK out of the water for residents in the US traveling to India regularly on work in paid C/J.
Have one last EK trip booked this summer with my wife and infant son on Y (the change in lounge access rules has really turned me off EK), and will try to use my ~150K odd EK miles to upgrade. If not - I'll buy something on High Street and am calling it curtains on EK. May still make the occasional J trip on EK if the fare is low, but there's almost no value in keeping Gold when flying on J and so it's certainly curtains on EK Gold, even if not on EK itself.
I spent some thoughts on my next trips and I must admit that EK became less competitive based on the prices. I think they had awesome fares last year but now being on the same level or even above the prices of LH, SQ et al I cannnot really think of a reason to go with EK when comparing *G and Skywards Gold benefits, so curtains closed for the time being.
Apr 23, 2011 | 4:25 am
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,050
Ref the posts on Flex being displayed in the Miles Breakdown when making a booking but the Fare Conditions showing Saver.
I am about to make a booking and thought I'd try to clarify this so sent off an email to EK. They told me (based on the cost of my ticket) that it was a Saver, not a Flex and they will arrange for the Miles Breakdown screen information to be corrected. It would be almost 200 extra (on a Y ticket) to book a flex fare via the call centre.
I hope that those of you that have booked these fares have screenshots, if not then get some now if you want something to argue your case with.
I have now gone back and asked which fare rules make it so, quoting from post #89 in this thread.
I am about to make a booking and thought I'd try to clarify this so sent off an email to EK. They told me (based on the cost of my ticket) that it was a Saver, not a Flex and they will arrange for the Miles Breakdown screen information to be corrected. It would be almost 200 extra (on a Y ticket) to book a flex fare via the call centre.
I hope that those of you that have booked these fares have screenshots, if not then get some now if you want something to argue your case with.
I have now gone back and asked which fare rules make it so, quoting from post #89 in this thread.
Apr 23, 2011 | 9:21 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: QR: Gold; Marriott: Amb; UA: 1K; Taj: Silv
Posts: 255
I'm based in CCU as well, and EK does offer the most flights out of here. I fly to the US regularly, and put up with the long flight to the West Coast from DXB because I am (was?) loyal to EK.
My flights next month are taking me back to Star, doing a TG/UA combo that saves me a lot of time and gives me shorter flights. I'm also seriously considering giving up on EK completely, and switching back to TG/UA/LH.
I like the op-ups and I like the service in CCU for EK, but I think I prefer being 1K more, and I don't fly enough to maintain both 1K and Skywards Gold. It's one or the other, and devaluations in the program, with rising costs on EK tickets, mean that they've made my decision easier.
If only LH flew everyday and not 3 times a week from CCU, this would be a slamdunk!
My flights next month are taking me back to Star, doing a TG/UA combo that saves me a lot of time and gives me shorter flights. I'm also seriously considering giving up on EK completely, and switching back to TG/UA/LH.
I like the op-ups and I like the service in CCU for EK, but I think I prefer being 1K more, and I don't fly enough to maintain both 1K and Skywards Gold. It's one or the other, and devaluations in the program, with rising costs on EK tickets, mean that they've made my decision easier.
If only LH flew everyday and not 3 times a week from CCU, this would be a slamdunk!
Apr 24, 2011 | 6:07 am
#94
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
Ref the posts on Flex being displayed in the Miles Breakdown when making a booking but the Fare Conditions showing Saver.
I am about to make a booking and thought I'd try to clarify this so sent off an email to EK. They told me (based on the cost of my ticket) that it was a Saver, not a Flex and they will arrange for the Miles Breakdown screen information to be corrected. It would be almost 200 extra (on a Y ticket) to book a flex fare via the call centre.
I hope that those of you that have booked these fares have screenshots, if not then get some now if you want something to argue your case with.
I have now gone back and asked which fare rules make it so, quoting from post #89 in this thread.
I am about to make a booking and thought I'd try to clarify this so sent off an email to EK. They told me (based on the cost of my ticket) that it was a Saver, not a Flex and they will arrange for the Miles Breakdown screen information to be corrected. It would be almost 200 extra (on a Y ticket) to book a flex fare via the call centre.
I hope that those of you that have booked these fares have screenshots, if not then get some now if you want something to argue your case with.
I have now gone back and asked which fare rules make it so, quoting from post #89 in this thread.
Its so surprising that they hv not yet stabilised their systems more than 1 yr after launch of this saver and flex thing.. If there is a mismatch, then IMHO benefit of the doubt should go to the customer simply because its EK's inefficiency which has created that doubt in the first place ..
Apr 25, 2011 | 9:36 pm
#95
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Plt, AS G, MR Ti, IC
Posts: 633
If anyone has any suggestions on how to send feedback to EK in a way that would merit any reasoned reply, I'm glad for tips on that. Otherwise, I agree with the suggestion that either you accept that its a crapshoot (or whatever metaphor you'd like to use) with tickets on EK for the time being, or you vote with your feet and decide to fly another carrier instead.
Apr 26, 2011 | 2:07 am
#96
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
Apr 26, 2011 | 2:47 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,050
It ended up with them having to check with Skywards and I haven't heard anything since so not so good.
Apr 26, 2011 | 4:18 am
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,050
Going via the Contact Us By Email section on their website got me a quick, pretty reasonable response in less than one hour (see post 92). In the end I'd had 3 emails in just over 3 hours as I passed on, or requested, more information. This was with the UK office over a holiday weekend so quite impressive.
It ended up with them having to check with Skywards and I haven't heard anything since so not so good.
It ended up with them having to check with Skywards and I haven't heard anything since so not so good.
Apr 26, 2011 | 4:22 am
#99
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 317
Below is the feedback I sent via Skywards webpage, and the response i got 10 days later.
They concentrate on the lounge access issue with only a brief mention of the ticketing issue which i had written about. I suppose it is a response, but "Emirates Customer Affairs & Service Audit department" sounds like another name for the waste paper bin to me!!
Thus the process of "down-managing" expectations continues....
On 14/04/11 12:31, yanny baba wrote:
> Skywards Feedback
>
> Feedback details:
> Regrettably, the recent changes to both availability and price of Flex
> fares, combined with the loss of lounge access for my guests when
> travelling in Y class, will result in me taking my future business to other
> airlines, unless otherwise unavoidable
kind regards
Yanny baba
Dear Mr. Baba,
Thank you for your email regarding the recent update on lounge access for a guest when travelling in Economy Class.
We wish to advise that the suspension is temporary as we plan to reinstate this benefit as soon as we are able to improve the current constraints in our facilities. . Please be assured that your personal lounge access across the Emirates network remains unaffected. If you are traveling on First or Business Class with Emirates, and your guest is traveling in Economy Class, you are entitled to invite your guest to the lounge.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the availability and prices of Flex Fares. We have forwarded your concern to the Emirates Customer Affairs & Service Audit department for their records.
We regret that you are considering other airlines for your future travels. At Emirates, we endeavour to offer miles on all fares, unlike some of our competitors. We would like to reaffirm that we remain committed to the benefits offered to our Gold members. At Dubai Airport Terminal 3, a dedicated Gold check-in area is available for your convenience. At all other airports around the world Gold members may check in at the Business Class counters, or at exclusively dedicated Silver and Gold check-in counters.
Gold members also enjoy the 16kg additional baggage allowance, the 50% Gold tier bonus Miles and the guaranteed seat benefits. To recognise and reward our Gold members, we have been offering the exclusive Rewarding Journeys promotion every year which rewards you based on the flights that you book and travel during the promotion period.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate your understanding whilst we undertake a major programme of expanding our existing lounges and building additional lounges across Emirates network.
Yours sincerely,
Kwin Hayden de Guzman
Skywards Member Services
They concentrate on the lounge access issue with only a brief mention of the ticketing issue which i had written about. I suppose it is a response, but "Emirates Customer Affairs & Service Audit department" sounds like another name for the waste paper bin to me!!
Thus the process of "down-managing" expectations continues....
On 14/04/11 12:31, yanny baba wrote:
> Skywards Feedback
>
> Feedback details:
> Regrettably, the recent changes to both availability and price of Flex
> fares, combined with the loss of lounge access for my guests when
> travelling in Y class, will result in me taking my future business to other
> airlines, unless otherwise unavoidable
kind regards
Yanny baba
Dear Mr. Baba,
Thank you for your email regarding the recent update on lounge access for a guest when travelling in Economy Class.
We wish to advise that the suspension is temporary as we plan to reinstate this benefit as soon as we are able to improve the current constraints in our facilities. . Please be assured that your personal lounge access across the Emirates network remains unaffected. If you are traveling on First or Business Class with Emirates, and your guest is traveling in Economy Class, you are entitled to invite your guest to the lounge.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the availability and prices of Flex Fares. We have forwarded your concern to the Emirates Customer Affairs & Service Audit department for their records.
We regret that you are considering other airlines for your future travels. At Emirates, we endeavour to offer miles on all fares, unlike some of our competitors. We would like to reaffirm that we remain committed to the benefits offered to our Gold members. At Dubai Airport Terminal 3, a dedicated Gold check-in area is available for your convenience. At all other airports around the world Gold members may check in at the Business Class counters, or at exclusively dedicated Silver and Gold check-in counters.
Gold members also enjoy the 16kg additional baggage allowance, the 50% Gold tier bonus Miles and the guaranteed seat benefits. To recognise and reward our Gold members, we have been offering the exclusive Rewarding Journeys promotion every year which rewards you based on the flights that you book and travel during the promotion period.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate your understanding whilst we undertake a major programme of expanding our existing lounges and building additional lounges across Emirates network.
Yours sincerely,
Kwin Hayden de Guzman
Skywards Member Services
Apr 26, 2011 | 5:32 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
Btw.. IIRC, some discussion long time back about making a list of various fare classes and the bucket it falls under . Does anyone have the link to that ?
thanks
Apr 26, 2011 | 5:37 am
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,050
If you mean which fare bucket was Flex and which was Saver I don't think it works like that. There could be two tickets in the same bucket one of which is Flex and one Saver.
Apr 26, 2011 | 5:41 am
#102
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
It was credited automatically.. I had the print screen handy in any case ..
R u saying some tickets of B would be Flex and some Saver
Apr 26, 2011 | 5:47 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
It was credited automatically.. I had the print screen handy in any case ..
I mean if fare class B is Saver and E is flex.. I guess each fare class is mapped to either saver or flex since the ticket price is determined by the fare classes..By buckets I meant Saver or Flex.. I guess say B,C,D,E are fare classes , all tickets issued under those would fall either under Saver or Flex. .
R u saying some tickets of B would be Flex and some Saver
I mean if fare class B is Saver and E is flex.. I guess each fare class is mapped to either saver or flex since the ticket price is determined by the fare classes..By buckets I meant Saver or Flex.. I guess say B,C,D,E are fare classes , all tickets issued under those would fall either under Saver or Flex. .
R u saying some tickets of B would be Flex and some Saver
Different fare buckets mean different things depending on POS and route being flown, so there is no mapping of fare buckets to flex saver. On some routes, you could have multiple fares in a bucket, some of which are flex and others that are saver.
Apr 26, 2011 | 6:54 am
#105
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
I think it's time you got an expertflyer subscription.
Different fare buckets mean different things depending on POS and route being flown, so there is no mapping of fare buckets to flex saver. On some routes, you could have multiple fares in a bucket, some of which are flex and others that are saver.
Different fare buckets mean different things depending on POS and route being flown, so there is no mapping of fare buckets to flex saver. On some routes, you could have multiple fares in a bucket, some of which are flex and others that are saver.
.. so EK doesnt like simplifying things I guess.. no wonder saver / flex fares, miles etc are mixed up..