I'm saying that Gold is Emirates' top tier, so comparing it with a mid-tier on other carriers is not really accurate. Have a look at British Airways' program for example. To achieve Gold on British Airways would require 13 roundtrips in Economy Class between London and Melbourne.

If you're not flying enough to meet whatever criterion the airline sets for its elite status, you're not flying enough in their eyes. If the grass is greener elsewhere, its a free market!

+1.

If status is such a big deal you can buy flex fares. You get double the miles without paying double the fare. Though it depends - sometimes it's only 20% more, other times it is 60% more.

HI Aquitania

Etihad Guest just gave you a Gold Elite Card ? Or they Status Match you ...

Because I hear that Etihad dont give out Gold Elite Card unless u reach the 125.000K miles.... Gold Card is the highest they Match or giving some kind of promotion.

Yes, they sent the Gold Elite card to me this week. Did not ask them for it at all, but it might be that the Centurion agent arranged it for me when reserving the tickets. Not sure, but definitely appreciated the attention.

That is not true at all. That seems to be a blinkered look at US schemes and only looking at the mid level tier

e.g. Qantas's mid tier level ( which is level which provides for lounge access ). MEL-LHR r/t earns 120 Status Credits in discount economy. 700 is needed to attain Gold and 600 to renew so is 5 r/ts to renew it. To attain the top tier requires twice that level

Full economy would earn 240 points so would halve it ( same as how Emirates offers twice the earning for flex fares ), however on Qantas , for international travel, only full fare economy will earn full SCs whilst Emirates offers flex fares to Australia at about 20% over the lowest economy cost)

That really depends on what fares you look at. Based on 5 trips that would be �1068.8 per trip. If purchased a flex fare the cost would have been an extra �200 but only needed 2.5 trips so would work out at �3172 which seems pretty reasonable cost to attain top tier status

Dave

Yes its the AMEX thing that worked for you. AMEX Cent Desk has the possibility to get you Top status without even asking for it. I flew CX F 4 times 2 months ago & I have Diamond status with CX already which otherwise could have taken ages. I too used Amex Cent to book the CX tkts.

Safe Flying

EGT

Thats correct.


And in regards to elite (Gold) tiers at other airlines outside the Middle East, we could do a benchmark of their threshold. Just to let you know, Lufthansa (LH) threshold to become Gold (Senator) is 130k (when living in Germany).

As a UA 1K, 2MM, QF and EK Gold flyer I know a little bit about achieving status. Anyone that doesn't do sensible research on minimising costs (if that's what they want to do) can't really complain IMHO.

All of my flying (and everything else in life) comes out of my own pocket. I am not employed and am not in business, so I have no sympathy whatsoever for people whose fares are paid by their employer complaining.

And BTW, I have renewed my QF Gold membership for approx AUD 2,500 and my EK Gold for less than AUD 5,000 this year.

I know that this will annoy many people on this board, such as ELITEGOLDTRAVELLER, but that's life.

Just my point of view.

Hi Mate,

I am indeed happy for you to being able to renew your status with EK.

On a personal note I do not share a liking for those people who Status Match for just having a go for some upcoming flights & then look for a soft landing

All revenue renewers are always more than welcome. Its your/our business that keep FT & the airline FTQ business on track.

BTW no one pays for me too but unfortunately I do have to work. Call it freaking destiny or kind off a burden that some how I got on my small butt (its bigger now) & I do have to pay for 1278 people also & this is only the offical figure

About the rest. Well then we would need some silica & a LOT of hard liquid in an indecent sorrounding at illegal hours to talk over. Don't forget I need to work at the legal hours.

Safe Flying

EGT

Xxxxx

It's not the concept of Saver fares but the implementation that is of concern. For example, Business class tickets (not companion fares etc) that earn Saver mileage. Or tickets ex-DXB which are ridiculously over priced earning Saver mileage when there is no difference between saver and flex fare conditions. Why pay 50% more?

Xxxxx

Hi
I got the answer to my original query by emailing emirates directly
They told me the only way to buy flex tickets direct is not online as this always gives the cheapest fare to the fields entered
To buy flex I have to phone the reservations centre whose number for the uk is 0844 800 2777 which I did and found flex flights to joburg at Xmas are about �140 dearer than saver but giving full mileage.
This means we probably will be gold again next year as I'm willing to pay that much just so we don't have to queue at the airports.so thanks for all your views we got there in the end
Happy flying

I still think EK is a great airline, there's no doubt about that.

As for Skywards and other programmes - with LH you feel like they're out to nickel and dime you. Look at the M&M forum and there's enhancements every week. EK used to be about the comfort, convenience and pleasure of flying. Sure, you become too liberal and your business becomes unviable. But EK has always been innovative in the past, and it would be nice to see them finding innovative solutions (which they say they are working on), rather than following the pack and reducing mileage and benefits. That's what differentiates a market leader (one that has a lot of financial resources at hand in this case) from the 'industry'.