Saver VS Flex Fare Changes...
 

Last week, fare changes were introduced on the SIN website, which resulted in a very cheap fare to MEL for example (ie S$690) being classified as Saver now - whereas previously all the fares to MEL etc were Flex.

I am hearing that we will see a lot of systemwide fare changes be introduced over the next few months, with the most cost effective fares being reclassified as Saver.

If you travel the same routes often, you may want to check.

In my case because I do the SIN-MEL-SIN route so often, I want to be able to buy a Flex fare, because the tier miles are important. The Flex fare is only S$200 more roundtrip, so to me, worthwhile.

I think EK are leaving money on the table when it comes to booking online. They should display both the Saver and Flex fare, and let you choose which one (they can have a simple explanation via a pop up box).

They should also adopt the same feature BA.com uses, where it gives you the option of upgrading one leg, or both legs via ticking a simple box against the corresponding amount.

Agreed, most other airlines give the user the option to select their fare class when purchasing in addition to the usual seat class.

Something along the lines of:

Bargain - no miles, no privileges, cheap cost
Saver - few miles, few privileges, medium cost
Flex - full miles, full privileges, full cost

It doesn't need to be complicated really.

This has become a bit of an inconvenience. I don't want the saver fares, and now have to ring up EK and tell them I want to pay for the higher fare bucket to get the flex tier miles and yes please charge me 7% admin fees for not using the website.

EY & QR have the options on their site for different fare buckets and then even list the J fare as an incentive for those willing to cough up a bit more.

Am I not right in thinking that EK just put up all its fares by a significant percentage? What I'm finding a bit disappointing is that I always travel from HKG to destinations in Western Europe but I can never find any bargain or saver fares. Seems that they're all flex. :(

Why would you want a Saver fare? They earn half the tier points. You're lucky if even the cheapest published fares are flex.

Well I just thought saver tickets could be cheaper. I'd rather save money than earn tier points as these in EK don't really mean much, compared with some other airlines.

Not necessarily so. It can depend on route, timing of purchase, loads and I imagine a bunch of other things.

Just purchased a ticket KRT-DXB one way. At the time of booking, website showed that I would earn Flex miles on this itinerary and I didn't get read too much into the fare conditions.

When I did print out the eticket, I noticed it was endorsed Skywards Saver and was a bit pissed. I called EK to inquire about the contradiction (even on my skywards profile it shows me as earning flex miles), they are yet to get back to me on this. Any ideas?

I know its not much miles difference but if I knew I would only earn saver then I would've just flown an LCC for 1/4 of the price.

Take a screenshot of anything that says flex, like another dummy booking with the same price, and send it to them.

This happened to me last year, and the different in miles made the difference (at that point) in getting status or not. And I ended up getting more miles than the difference between what was priced out and MMB.

Ok CS just confirmed I would get the flex tier on this trip. Let's see what happens post flight. Will update upon return.

I didn't realize the extent to which they have changed fares! Looking at fares ex-SIN to anywhere, it's all Saver. Ridiculous.

Apologies if I'm missing a point but if you want to have flex fare just book via a travel agency. I do agree though, it's bull**** that EK's website is not really flexible. Last year I've been told by EK that they intended to change it but apparently that hasn't happened...

In this day and age where you can do everything online it's ridiculous to be expected to book via a travel agency. And why should I pay a commission to a travel agent when I have to do all the work myself anyway?!

I have been complaining through the Emirates hub feedback group, skywards, and directly to Emirates for months about the inability to book flex tickets online from many destinations. Up to now they have been completely clueless. Before I was able to book all tickets online. Now I have to go through a travel agency if I want to be sure to get a flex fare. I am done complaining now. With the recent events in Bahrain, I no longer care about using EK.

Just call EK.