Another EK enhancement?
Apr 8, 2013 | 9:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
Another EK enhancement?
I'd set up an alert on EF for D inventory on DXB-CMB a couple months out. Got the email, went to upgrade, nada, thought I'd missed it.
Was looking at it again and saw availability. Went to ek, pulled up the reservation, and nada, no availability.
Started looking at award space. Turns out DXB-CMB is available as Saver J redemption, but FCO-DXB-CMB (same DXB-CMB flight) is only available as Flex J for both segments.
Previously, individual legs would have been flex/ saver with upgrades being available on the Saver legs, but awards being charged at higher of the two rates. Now they've enhanced the program to prevent people from redeeming upgrades as well.
Was looking at it again and saw availability. Went to ek, pulled up the reservation, and nada, no availability.
Started looking at award space. Turns out DXB-CMB is available as Saver J redemption, but FCO-DXB-CMB (same DXB-CMB flight) is only available as Flex J for both segments.
Previously, individual legs would have been flex/ saver with upgrades being available on the Saver legs, but awards being charged at higher of the two rates. Now they've enhanced the program to prevent people from redeeming upgrades as well.
Apr 8, 2013 | 1:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards silver :-(, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,572
Same thing happened to me as well. I had set up an alert on expert flyer for Y to J on
DEL-DXB-LGW . Got the alert and tried to upgrade online and it wouldn't let me do it online.I called up EK and the call centre operator sorted it for me.
Similar case the other way as well. So far managed to upgrade DXB to LGW. DEL to DXB is still in Y due to not having enough miles.Will have to do it after my next trip on Ek in a few weeks (after earning more miles)
Upgrading the 2 sectors separately means that I end up having to use 37500 miles in total instead of 35000 miles for upgrading both at the same time.
DEL-DXB-LGW . Got the alert and tried to upgrade online and it wouldn't let me do it online.I called up EK and the call centre operator sorted it for me.
Similar case the other way as well. So far managed to upgrade DXB to LGW. DEL to DXB is still in Y due to not having enough miles.Will have to do it after my next trip on Ek in a few weeks (after earning more miles)
Upgrading the 2 sectors separately means that I end up having to use 37500 miles in total instead of 35000 miles for upgrading both at the same time.
Apr 8, 2013 | 2:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
I am pretty sure this is NOT a married segment issue and that EF / the EK online site just show the "lowest common denominator" for availability so if AAA-BBB has Flex only and BBB-CCC has Flex and Saver it will show Flex for the whole trip. However, you can still call EK and upgrade BBB-CCC.
Apr 9, 2013 | 12:12 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,053
Don't rely on the cancelled leg going straight back into upgrade availability though, make sure there's availability there before you do this.
Apr 9, 2013 | 6:10 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
Apr 9, 2013 | 6:14 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
As they have been using married segment for revenue tickets the technical ability to allow for reward when not for revenue are very difficult within the constraints of the GDS used today. Are you sure they have not had a previous restriction- and if so how did they manage to do this?
Apr 9, 2013 | 6:39 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
As they have been using married segment for revenue tickets the technical ability to allow for reward when not for revenue are very difficult within the constraints of the GDS used today. Are you sure they have not had a previous restriction- and if so how did they manage to do this?