Miles needed for upgrades have increased too....I'm sure we all saw this coming.
It's pretty much pointless to even try and redeem miles for flights anymore.

So looking at dxb man (my most frequent route) assuming the calculator is one way (not clear) a flex upgrade is 39k vs 25k and a saver is 57.5k vs 32.5k that's a whopping increase and a massive devaluation of the programme.

Christ

Upgrade Award currently in Flex from FRA to DXB 25.000
New Flex / Flex plus will cost 30.000, so 20% more miles.

Upgrade Award currently in Saver currently 32.000
New Safer will cost 57.500...

I would name it a systematic devaluation of the miles in our accounts.

However it was a question of time for this, many other airlines did the same in the last years. In the good old times 2 return flights from Europe to Asia in economy, cheapest fare bucket in one year gave you silver status / 4 returns gold status respective. This was one of the reasons why EK became attractive and could fill their planes easily (besides comfort, catering and entertainment). This was in 2009 / 2010. EK has grown enormous in the last years. I assume they have now enough passengers who are able and willing to pay more, so they try (and will) select those clients who will be worth it to be "rewarded", this will become in the end those ones, who spend more money for their tickets than the "average traveller".

Also to consider is the fact of their saving in the books with reducing the value of the accumulated miles which are currently sitting in the accounts of the active members. Not really an enhancement for the traveller, but for sure a big enhancement for the company-profit.

I am sure many will cry in the next days, however, there is not much what we can do, except to decide, if the company who does not value my loyality anymore, still deserves my money. But as EK has already a huge market-share in many locations. I have my doubts that EK cares about those people who will now changing their business to competitors. This is already calculated and in many cases there is a lack of options in regards of fare / destination / avaliabilty. In my opinion the FFP�s are seen now as a cost factor, rather than a marketing instrument. So this will be for sure not the last change.

The real question is, when and what will be the next "enhancement" ?

Happy flying

Yup, I am on the same boat. Since March 2014 and getting Plat, I have only flown between KWI and DXB on EK, an odd MLE, and one more flight at the end of this month to MAN (Total tier miles to date around 16K).

Not only have prices been at eye-watering levels for J and F, but miles are becoming worthless (even though I earn some through a CC). I have since moved most of my travel to QR who have more decent ticket prices, and bank my miles with BA.

Its been a great run with EK, and I do miss their A/C, service and experience, but unless they become a bit more "reasonable" with prices and mileage, it seems like not much is going to happen.

Will existing tickets be honoured at old redemption rates?

Time to j to f my existing bookings!!!

Dear Loyal Customers and Skywards Members

But we're too shame faced to say that so we'll pretend that we're dressing something up as being beneficial for you, but in actual fact we'll continue to devalue any benefit of showing us loyalty and charge you more for the privilege.

But seriously, we value your custom and loyalty.

All the best.

EK

*********

(and yes, testament to why I binned EK 2 years ago at the start of the Skywards enhancement and now sit pretty with OW and, if need arises, *A. Not forgetting EY of course which now offers an all around better solution).

Miles needed to upgrade have been substantially increased.

Currently:

DXB to JFK

Upgrade Business to First
Skywards Saver 57,500 Skywards Miles
Skywards Flex 45,000 Skywards Miles

Under the new system:


DXB to JFK

Business to First
Skywards Saver 70 200 Skywards Miles
Skywards Flex 54,000 Skywards Miles

Ouch


A little more honesty upfront would have been nicer. Trying to sell this as an "enhancement" is hardly going to fly with their premium passengers ...

Not had a chance to go through it in depth, but Business Class Fares don't seem to have beeen hit so hard as Economy Class.

A Business Saver earns the same as before and the Upgrade increase is not as much as Economy.

I suppose we'll have to see how each level is priced before deciding whether it's very bad or just bad.

As above, I think it might be time to upgrade something just now, or will the "old" upgrade rates remain for tickets already purchased?

O well... guess time to look around for alternative carriers.

I was quite shocked at the jump in prices, and devaluation of miles. I spoke to my company's Travel Coordinator to confirm this. If true EK is going to lose a lot of business from my company (lots of Asia x US/South America flights).

Typical company policy is to go with cheapest flex flights (Eco & Biz). Looking at the new prices, some of the Alliance airlines are now cheaper...

Time to burn the few miles I have left and be done with EK. I'm hoping South African can pull its act together under the new CEO. If his 90-day rescue plan doesn't fare well I am off to QR. It hurts. I remember the good old days without saver fares!

Indeed I believe that they are going to be losing a lot of Y flyers and business flyers. This un-enhancement has really rubbed the wrong way, and the fact that they sell it to you as a great thing is disgusting.

I haven't read anything yet about prices for the new levels. What jump are you referring to?

That shouldn't be too haard given your recent post:

Whenever an airline improves an aspect of their service, they usually involve a group of their passengers/loyal customers in trials and/or studies. Examples are the smart device app, new seats, artwork design for the FF card, inflight meals/service. And they brag about it by saying something like: we listened to your feedback, our most valued customers were involved from the outset.

This announcement does not have any similar reference. Bean counters trying to better manage premium cabins inventory and increase revenue potential. It's not like the whole cabin was open for upgrades to begin with -like many years ago. They're hardly trimming the edges while at the same time ridding the airline from all those pesky low value but savvy frequent travellers.

If EK want to be fair about this, we should expect to see the annual limit for miles purchase/transfer increased along with a drop in the cost per mile. They should also increase the award inventory -especially in F. They should also revise their carrier-imposed surcharges. Lastly if what the LH dude is anything to go by, limit F to Skywards redemptions, though won't be surprised if they impose a 2-week rule as well.

Obviously the above is pure speculation. But what EK did deserves to be thumbed down, despite the advance warning (remember how they made sudden changes in the past, effective immediately)

Also posted that I canceled a Y-J upgrade on EK10 (which, in hindsight, was the stupidest thing I've ever done). I also got credited with the miles for flying Y Flex LGW-DUR and my Gold Bonus. Up to around 33,000 now I think. Good enough for a one-way upgrade...

Is the raffle up yet?

EDIT: ft101, you can see that post here. Look at #25.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emira...changes-2.html

Rough envelope calculations:
Gold is moving from about 5k-7k USD spend to about 7.5k-10k USD minimums.
Platinum is moving from around 15-20k USD to about 25-30k USD minimums.

Haven't really gone into too much detail about what comparable top tier status can be had for on other airlines, but it's possible OWE for around 2k USD and definitely no more than 5k USD...!

Should comment properly when I find some time!