Is This For Real?
Mar 21, 2013 | 7:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Is This For Real?
I have been a Skywards member for a number of years.
By using my Platinum Citibank Mastercard, I'm able to collect a maximum of 150,000 miles each year, which I usually achieve in a few months.
I've used these miles for Emirates flights, and I've been happy with the program, although, I wish Citibank would allow us to collect more than the maximum annual amount of 150,000! Because of this, I stop using the card halfway through the year, and switch to my Krisflyer Amex card, to collect Krisflyer miles as well. I have the ability to accummulate around 600,000 miles each year.
A few minutes ago I received an e-mail from Skywards, notifying me of the changes to the program, commencing on the 1st of July.
At present, if I book a one way flight from Sydney to Dubai, Business Class, it requires 100,000 miles. From the 1st of July, according to the chart I just received via e-mail, it is now going to cost 192,000 miles. That's virtually double the amount of miles required at present!
I just called Skywards, and the gentleman I spoke to confirmed this, and said it was because of the new partnership arrangement with Qantas.
It just doesn't seem to make sense!
If this is correct, it seems like a giant ripoff!
By using my Platinum Citibank Mastercard, I'm able to collect a maximum of 150,000 miles each year, which I usually achieve in a few months.
I've used these miles for Emirates flights, and I've been happy with the program, although, I wish Citibank would allow us to collect more than the maximum annual amount of 150,000! Because of this, I stop using the card halfway through the year, and switch to my Krisflyer Amex card, to collect Krisflyer miles as well. I have the ability to accummulate around 600,000 miles each year.
A few minutes ago I received an e-mail from Skywards, notifying me of the changes to the program, commencing on the 1st of July.
At present, if I book a one way flight from Sydney to Dubai, Business Class, it requires 100,000 miles. From the 1st of July, according to the chart I just received via e-mail, it is now going to cost 192,000 miles. That's virtually double the amount of miles required at present!
I just called Skywards, and the gentleman I spoke to confirmed this, and said it was because of the new partnership arrangement with Qantas.
It just doesn't seem to make sense!
If this is correct, it seems like a giant ripoff!
Last edited by PhillipM; Mar 21, 2013 at 7:57 pm Reason: Wrong spelling
Mar 21, 2013 | 7:57 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,685
Mar 21, 2013 | 8:43 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,129
For ex-Australia earning/redeeming seems to be chaging
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Another great negative thanks to the EK/QF alliance
Is it not 192k round trip I wonder rather than one way which would align with Qantas's redemption rate and only a 32% price hike
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Originally Posted by skywards
New earning and reward levels for flights from Australia.
As a refinement to our programme and as part of our partnership* with Qantas, we are making some changes to the Emirates Skywards programme which include more closely aligning our reward offering in Australia.
As a result from 31 March, we will increase the number of Skywards Miles and tier Miles you will earn for itineraries commencing in Australia.
Effective 1 July, the number of Skywards Miles required for Emirates flight reward itineraries originating in Australia will also increase. You can book reward travel at the existing levels until this date.
Our changes to earning and reward levels ensure that the number of revenue trips required to obtain a reward ticket will remain the same as they do today, while enhancing your ability to earn and retain tier status.
As a refinement to our programme and as part of our partnership* with Qantas, we are making some changes to the Emirates Skywards programme which include more closely aligning our reward offering in Australia.
As a result from 31 March, we will increase the number of Skywards Miles and tier Miles you will earn for itineraries commencing in Australia.
Effective 1 July, the number of Skywards Miles required for Emirates flight reward itineraries originating in Australia will also increase. You can book reward travel at the existing levels until this date.
Our changes to earning and reward levels ensure that the number of revenue trips required to obtain a reward ticket will remain the same as they do today, while enhancing your ability to earn and retain tier status.
Is it not 192k round trip I wonder rather than one way which would align with Qantas's redemption rate and only a 32% price hike
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 21, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Mar 21, 2013 | 9:49 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Skywards Plat, Etihad Gold, Aerosvit Gold, Virgin Silver, AA lifetime Gold, Sirius Gold
Posts: 1,229
For ex-Australia earning/redeeming seems to be chaging
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Another great negative thanks to the EK/QF alliance
Is it not 192k round trip I wonder rather than one way which would align with Qantas's redemption rate and only a 32% price hike
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Another great negative thanks to the EK/QF alliance
Is it not 192k round trip I wonder rather than one way which would align with Qantas's redemption rate and only a 32% price hike
Mar 21, 2013 | 9:54 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,129
The web page does seem to indicate that it is only Australian originating flights that are being screwed over. Book UK-AU and would seem to have earning/redeeming as current
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:03 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,129
EK seems to be lying with their indication that the redemption award increases are in line with the earning rate increase however
taking Sydney- Europe West
Currently, 1st class earns 45,000 r/t and a 1st saver award is 270,000 r/t with flex at 337,500
Under new rates. 1st class earns 64,000 r/t and a 1st award is 480,000
with a 42% increase in earning, redemption rates should be 384k for a saver award. If you ignore saver awards then it is the same increase on awards since the 42% on 337.5 would bring it to 480K
taking Sydney- Europe West
Currently, 1st class earns 45,000 r/t and a 1st saver award is 270,000 r/t with flex at 337,500
Under new rates. 1st class earns 64,000 r/t and a 1st award is 480,000
with a 42% increase in earning, redemption rates should be 384k for a saver award. If you ignore saver awards then it is the same increase on awards since the 42% on 337.5 would bring it to 480K
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 21, 2013 at 10:16 pm
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,153
As a refinement...
Just received:
Thanks for the warning!
Cool so our 300k or so of Skywards miles are suddenly worth 25% less. I am so excited. NOT. First limiting flex First to Z, now this! 
The 'enhanced' tables can be found at:
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Without mentioning any of them, I already can see loopholes with this targeted major devaluation to who already treks OUT of AU with EK. No word on ex-NZ itineraries or itineraries out of DXB for example to AU, as they seem to be unaffected. Someone, among the brightest in the room, figured that Aussies who fly frequently amass lots of points and decided to penalise them appropriately.
As a refinement to our programme and as part of our partnership* with Qantas, we are making the following changes to the Emirates Skywards programme which includes a more closely aligned reward offering in Australia.
Commencing 31 March, we will increase the number of Skywards Miles and tier Miles you will earn for itineraries commencing in Australia.
Effective 1 July, the number of Skywards Miles required for Emirates flight reward itineraries originating in Australia will also increase. You can book reward travel at the existing levels until this date.
Commencing 31 March, we will increase the number of Skywards Miles and tier Miles you will earn for itineraries commencing in Australia.
Effective 1 July, the number of Skywards Miles required for Emirates flight reward itineraries originating in Australia will also increase. You can book reward travel at the existing levels until this date.
Our changes to earning and reward levels ensure that the number of revenue trips required to obtain a reward ticket will remain the same as they do today, while enhancing your ability to earn and retain your tier status.
The 'enhanced' tables can be found at:
http://www.skywards.com/standardpopu...cm:431-1147079
Without mentioning any of them, I already can see loopholes with this targeted major devaluation to who already treks OUT of AU with EK. No word on ex-NZ itineraries or itineraries out of DXB for example to AU, as they seem to be unaffected. Someone, among the brightest in the room, figured that Aussies who fly frequently amass lots of points and decided to penalise them appropriately.
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:33 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,129
There is already a thread on this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emira...1225-real.html
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:40 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,129
The points are not worth less if you use them for itineraries unaffected by the change. If doing AU originating flights, you can end up being better off by earn at high rate and redeem at low
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,153
As I mentioned earlier a lot of loopholes.
I was looking at fares yesterday and could get QF to price MEL-DXB return for about 7k in First (on EK metal) which was on special. Not a bad value I must say. Over to EK and I was quoted at least 30% more, same flights.
Mar 21, 2013 | 10:47 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,153
Sure, I was speaking from the point of view of redeeming ex-AU. But still it messes up with flexibility of doing it either way. I wonder if EY/VA will in any way follow suit to adhere to the good ol' genetlmen's agrrement, just to remain competitive.
Mar 21, 2013 | 11:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 545
I think that one is in the post. The only time airlines play fair is when they are told to.