Fuel Surcharges on EK Reward Tickets
Mar 27, 2013, 6:24 am
#46
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Gold
Posts: 462
Does anyone know if the fuel surcharge is refundable if you don't fly? In my view if its not profit, but merely a cost, then surely if that cost has not been incurred, the Skywards member ought not pay.
Mar 29, 2013, 2:39 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
No idea how EK will handle it, though.
Mar 29, 2013, 11:50 pm
#48
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
Frankly, this is the wrong perspective IMO. Redemption rates on EK are typically higher than on major competing networks (considering earn/burn-rates). I always saw the lack of fuel surcharges as a compensation for the less attractive redemption rates. Now you have to pay $$$s or extra miles on top of overblown redemption rates. Luckily, the consumer has choices.
Mar 29, 2013, 11:55 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
I just made reservations for two business award tickets for my elderly parents in May 2013. Burning 190K miles without any fuel surcharge. Another 240K miles to get rid off left. I think I will just make some bogus biz saver award reservations and change them later on, hoping that I can do so for USD 25 change fee only (without additional "tax" collection).
Mar 29, 2013, 11:55 pm
#50
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
This is the final nail in Emirates coffin for me. I have the choice of all gulf carriers plus Lufty/BA/AF/KLM for my business travel. After all currently booked trips with EK are done I will be flying with someone else. I will have around 95K skywards miles which will at least get me a free return to DXB from Man for a vacation.
Mar 30, 2013, 12:07 am
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,580
If fuel costs increase and , as such, fares increase then the amount being paid for the flights has increased and so the points earned per $ has decreased
Putting fares up and arguing that as a justification for increasing redemption costs seems like double dipping to me
Mar 30, 2013, 2:27 am
#53
formerly danblar
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 249
Frankly, this is the wrong perspective IMO. Redemption rates on EK are typically higher than on major competing networks (considering earn/burn-rates). I always saw the lack of fuel surcharges as a compensation for the less attractive redemption rates. Now you have to pay $$$s or extra miles on top of overblown redemption rates. Luckily, the consumer has choices.
Just imagine the surcharges for flights ex-Oz.
Mar 30, 2013, 2:38 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,156
It seems like EK has blocked F and J reward availability today all across. I can only find economy reward. Shouldn't have left this to the last minute.
And I might add, very shifty for EK to do this.
I heard today that O will no longer be used for flex reward in business and will be sub'd for another code.
And I might add, very shifty for EK to do this.
I heard today that O will no longer be used for flex reward in business and will be sub'd for another code.
Mar 30, 2013, 2:53 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
It seems like EK has blocked F and J reward availability today all across. I can only find economy reward. Shouldn't have left this to the last minute.
And I might add, very shifty for EK to do this.
I heard today that O will no longer be used for flex reward in business and will be sub'd for another code.
And I might add, very shifty for EK to do this.
I heard today that O will no longer be used for flex reward in business and will be sub'd for another code.
Mar 30, 2013, 6:15 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
Why would EK want to align too much with the QF program? Within Star Alliance, there are many quite distinct programs side-by-side without problems; and EK and QF do not even form as tight a relationship as an alliance.
Mar 30, 2013, 7:32 am
#58
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,156
I managed to book a redemption in F just now after a bit of tinkering.
I realised it might be an issue with the search. If trying to book from the front page, it's all fine. But if you go the the more advanced search that's where the errors start to appear: for example search SYD-DXB in mid August, you would either get an error, the availability calendar, or the flight selection where only economy flex is available.
They still haven't fixed the flex/saver option. If you leave that to the default it will show the flights (in F saver) even though this is a one way booking.
I realised it might be an issue with the search. If trying to book from the front page, it's all fine. But if you go the the more advanced search that's where the errors start to appear: for example search SYD-DXB in mid August, you would either get an error, the availability calendar, or the flight selection where only economy flex is available.
They still haven't fixed the flex/saver option. If you leave that to the default it will show the flights (in F saver) even though this is a one way booking.
Mar 30, 2013, 7:38 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,156
QF does charge for fuel fines but the upside is that it's possible to book reward seats as points plus pay (very little pay indeed) and get both points and status credits (equivalent of miles and tier miles in Skywards).
I just thought, if EK's SVP was to put money where his mouth is he would have followed on with such an 'enhancement' which would make the addition of fuel surcharges a bit easier to swallow.