Value of EK elite status in F class?
May 23, 2018, 9:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Value of EK elite status in F class?
Apologies if I'm duplicating a thread, I looked around and couldn't find something similar..but FT search isn't the easiest thing to navigate, either! If there is one just send me there.
My situation is as follows: I've been impressed with some (~5/year) EK flights I've been sprinkling in here or there the last few years. Great F&B in F, heaps of destinations in Europe and friendly / different service than what I'm used to on CX. I have some upcoming travel (Asia to Europe / Middle East and back) that will likely increase in the next 24 months. I'll at least continue giving some business to EK, and am considering to increase. My primary carrier is CX and I am mostly based in Hong Kong.
On an EK flight last month I was cajoled into signing up for EK "Skywards" by a friendly flight attendant. Until now I've just been crediting Emirates flights to Alaska. But after just two EK flights, it looks like I'm nearly Silver. Despite me reading on the EK website Silver is the lowest elite level without many benefits, of course at this pint the addictive qualities of elite status immediately kick in my illogical brain. I already have another one-way HKG to Europe F ticket next month which will put me over Silver status and on the way to Gold I presume?
I anticipate doing all my EK travel in F. I've had great service on EK F, really enjoyed the product overall and had no problem with food and showers in the past, despite being a zero for EK status. The grass might be greener so they say (I have flown at least a hundred CX longhauls in the last decade), but I am really enjoying this recent change of pace on Emirates it's a lovely airline in my limited experience. So this comes to my question: is there value to obtaining EK status? Especially since I'll only probably be flying F class? On CX at least, the "value" of elite status drops as you move forward, although they'll still offer food first to higher level elites (CX stocks far fewer food options in F than EK...).
For my situation, obtaining Silver is basically guaranteed. Gold will require slightly more effort. Platinum would be hard unless I went out of my way to fly EK on routes where it probably wouldn't be very time-smart (i.e., Hong Kong, Tokyo or Singapore to the USA), and/or diverted all my Europe business from CX over to EK, which is unlikely unless there is a really good reason why. Should I be "going" for EK status? Or does it not really matter here? Thank you for any advice.
My situation is as follows: I've been impressed with some (~5/year) EK flights I've been sprinkling in here or there the last few years. Great F&B in F, heaps of destinations in Europe and friendly / different service than what I'm used to on CX. I have some upcoming travel (Asia to Europe / Middle East and back) that will likely increase in the next 24 months. I'll at least continue giving some business to EK, and am considering to increase. My primary carrier is CX and I am mostly based in Hong Kong.
On an EK flight last month I was cajoled into signing up for EK "Skywards" by a friendly flight attendant. Until now I've just been crediting Emirates flights to Alaska. But after just two EK flights, it looks like I'm nearly Silver. Despite me reading on the EK website Silver is the lowest elite level without many benefits, of course at this pint the addictive qualities of elite status immediately kick in my illogical brain. I already have another one-way HKG to Europe F ticket next month which will put me over Silver status and on the way to Gold I presume?
I anticipate doing all my EK travel in F. I've had great service on EK F, really enjoyed the product overall and had no problem with food and showers in the past, despite being a zero for EK status. The grass might be greener so they say (I have flown at least a hundred CX longhauls in the last decade), but I am really enjoying this recent change of pace on Emirates it's a lovely airline in my limited experience. So this comes to my question: is there value to obtaining EK status? Especially since I'll only probably be flying F class? On CX at least, the "value" of elite status drops as you move forward, although they'll still offer food first to higher level elites (CX stocks far fewer food options in F than EK...).
For my situation, obtaining Silver is basically guaranteed. Gold will require slightly more effort. Platinum would be hard unless I went out of my way to fly EK on routes where it probably wouldn't be very time-smart (i.e., Hong Kong, Tokyo or Singapore to the USA), and/or diverted all my Europe business from CX over to EK, which is unlikely unless there is a really good reason why. Should I be "going" for EK status? Or does it not really matter here? Thank you for any advice.
May 23, 2018, 9:45 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
All, apologies for this I have made quite a rookie mistake - I meant to post this in the EK forum. But I can't change the title. Can someone help me move this? Very sorry.
May 23, 2018, 9:54 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 121
Goodbye Judas ! ��
For what it's worth tho, EK does offer a far superior inflight ( you get your own fridge for goodness sake!) and ground experience - but it will depend a lot on your travel pattern. CX needs to realise it's dropped the ball and really needs to up their game to match these Middle East carriers. I say go for it ! ��
For what it's worth tho, EK does offer a far superior inflight ( you get your own fridge for goodness sake!) and ground experience - but it will depend a lot on your travel pattern. CX needs to realise it's dropped the ball and really needs to up their game to match these Middle East carriers. I say go for it ! ��
May 23, 2018, 4:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
As an EK loyalist I'd like to say go for EK! But unfortunately as you say if you're already in the front of the plane status makes little difference.
The notable differences are:
- unlimited WiFi for entirely flight once Gold
- preferred shower time choice
- if you're platinum you may have better luck at requesting miles upgrades when none are available and may be able to waitlist for upgrades
- if you're in J in an oversold 3-class flight you'd be higher up the priority list for a free upgrade
The notable differences are:
- unlimited WiFi for entirely flight once Gold
- preferred shower time choice
- if you're platinum you may have better luck at requesting miles upgrades when none are available and may be able to waitlist for upgrades
- if you're in J in an oversold 3-class flight you'd be higher up the priority list for a free upgrade
May 23, 2018, 6:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
If I was in your position ....presumably you have high status with CX , I would contact EK sales in HK mentioning your position , flying history with CX long haul in F (especially to EK dests beyond DXB) and future "possible" travel plans (on EK) etc etc and ask for a status match to equal ie Gold/Plat on EK.If that doesn't work then try EK in DXB .
Reports here on FT and statusmatcher are that match is only to EK silver but IMO its worth a go.
Then if and when you obtain Gold/Plat you would receive all the few extra benefits and be able to choose how and when to credit to either EK or AS,ie "juggle".Then you could try similar strategy with CX ...but that's another story !
Many FFs are crediting EK flights to AS it seems.
The advantage of redeeming EK (and other) flight rewards ex HKG are that the taxes are low low compared to departing from other cities.
Reports here on FT and statusmatcher are that match is only to EK silver but IMO its worth a go.
Then if and when you obtain Gold/Plat you would receive all the few extra benefits and be able to choose how and when to credit to either EK or AS,ie "juggle".Then you could try similar strategy with CX ...but that's another story !
Many FFs are crediting EK flights to AS it seems.
The advantage of redeeming EK (and other) flight rewards ex HKG are that the taxes are low low compared to departing from other cities.
May 24, 2018, 12:28 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
Platinum would give you a partner Gold nomination, last seat award ticket, 20kg extra baggage and 75% more Skywards Miles. Gold gives 50% more miles and 16kg extra bags.
Status match (if granted) usually gives one level above your current level (maybe limited to Gold max?) so timing can be important. At least wait until you've got Silver with the flight you're alrady planning.
Status match (if granted) usually gives one level above your current level (maybe limited to Gold max?) so timing can be important. At least wait until you've got Silver with the flight you're alrady planning.
May 24, 2018, 1:10 am
#10
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
As an EK loyalist I'd like to say go for EK! But unfortunately as you say if you're already in the front of the plane status makes little difference.
The notable differences are:
- unlimited WiFi for entirely flight once Gold
- preferred shower time choice
- if you're platinum you may have better luck at requesting miles upgrades when none are available and may be able to waitlist for upgrades
- if you're in J in an oversold 3-class flight you'd be higher up the priority list for a free upgrade
The notable differences are:
- unlimited WiFi for entirely flight once Gold
- preferred shower time choice
- if you're platinum you may have better luck at requesting miles upgrades when none are available and may be able to waitlist for upgrades
- if you're in J in an oversold 3-class flight you'd be higher up the priority list for a free upgrade
For the flight itself (and I have experience in F as Blue, Silver and Gold), it makes no difference at all (I have always had the shower time I wanted, but that of course is not a given).
You get more Skywards miles for your status, but no additional tier miles.
May 24, 2018, 6:59 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Thank you foe the helpful replies.
yes, I am CX's "Diamond" tier, which is the CX equivalent of OW Emerald. Regardless of me pushing a good chunk of my business elsewhere, it's nearly impossible given my travel habits and HK base not to achieve that. CX Diamonds are treated quite well on board, but part of that "benefit" is due to an unfortunate and real decline in Cathay's service standards the last decade. Meaning, often those without status will have a crap flight if it's a bad crew.
Speaking from experience, CX catering in F is a century behind EK. And CX doesn't load many of each dish; what that means is, if you have a full house 6/6 in F, very good chance some of what you want isn't available. Nor is the menu nearly as abundant as EK. So here is where Diamond status comes in handy...you get your meal choice first in F, which frequently means the difference between your first choice or not since options are so limited by F standards, and quantities loaded of each are also low. At least on my EK flights the # of food options is at least double CX F, if not more. And it sounds like this isn't something you guys worry about.
Another area is the phone center....CX is notorious for having 2+ hour holding times for non elites, and even making their Silver members (equivalent to EK Silver) wait on hold for a half hour before reaching anyone. So call it the terrorism approach to elite status and customer service; you will only get acceptable service standards if you have high elite status...or else!
CX used to have an amazing benefit: as a Diamond, they would release cash inventory seats to you in award buckets. It was generous and really made being Diamond worthwhile; we all felt like we were getting a very nice discount back from CX, in exchange for spending some serious sums on them over the years (at least ex-HKG, CX is very expensive compared to the competition). But this benefit went away officially. We can still call and beg and cajole and sometimes they'll do it, but not guaranteed anymore. Anything like this on EK? I would really just be redeeming F, essentially being a de facto discount on travel once in a while.
CX/KA staff and cabin managers are all trained to treat their Diamond members quite well on board. Some folks find it a little robotic but indeed if you have a problem on board as a Diamond, they will bend over backwards to find a solution.
It sounds that there probably won't be these types of CX-like "benefits" to flying EK and accruing to EK when in F, except perhaps the shower if its a full house. i really doubt I'll go for Platinum because Dubai isn't a convenient connection for me except to Europe and Africa. And it sounds like there isn't really any special reason to go for it. But thanks for the replies. And greetings from a soon to be EK Silver, and Gold won't follow too far behind.
yes, I am CX's "Diamond" tier, which is the CX equivalent of OW Emerald. Regardless of me pushing a good chunk of my business elsewhere, it's nearly impossible given my travel habits and HK base not to achieve that. CX Diamonds are treated quite well on board, but part of that "benefit" is due to an unfortunate and real decline in Cathay's service standards the last decade. Meaning, often those without status will have a crap flight if it's a bad crew.
Speaking from experience, CX catering in F is a century behind EK. And CX doesn't load many of each dish; what that means is, if you have a full house 6/6 in F, very good chance some of what you want isn't available. Nor is the menu nearly as abundant as EK. So here is where Diamond status comes in handy...you get your meal choice first in F, which frequently means the difference between your first choice or not since options are so limited by F standards, and quantities loaded of each are also low. At least on my EK flights the # of food options is at least double CX F, if not more. And it sounds like this isn't something you guys worry about.
Another area is the phone center....CX is notorious for having 2+ hour holding times for non elites, and even making their Silver members (equivalent to EK Silver) wait on hold for a half hour before reaching anyone. So call it the terrorism approach to elite status and customer service; you will only get acceptable service standards if you have high elite status...or else!
CX used to have an amazing benefit: as a Diamond, they would release cash inventory seats to you in award buckets. It was generous and really made being Diamond worthwhile; we all felt like we were getting a very nice discount back from CX, in exchange for spending some serious sums on them over the years (at least ex-HKG, CX is very expensive compared to the competition). But this benefit went away officially. We can still call and beg and cajole and sometimes they'll do it, but not guaranteed anymore. Anything like this on EK? I would really just be redeeming F, essentially being a de facto discount on travel once in a while.
CX/KA staff and cabin managers are all trained to treat their Diamond members quite well on board. Some folks find it a little robotic but indeed if you have a problem on board as a Diamond, they will bend over backwards to find a solution.
It sounds that there probably won't be these types of CX-like "benefits" to flying EK and accruing to EK when in F, except perhaps the shower if its a full house. i really doubt I'll go for Platinum because Dubai isn't a convenient connection for me except to Europe and Africa. And it sounds like there isn't really any special reason to go for it. But thanks for the replies. And greetings from a soon to be EK Silver, and Gold won't follow too far behind.
May 24, 2018, 7:28 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Thank you foe the helpful replies.
yes, I am CX's "Diamond" tier, which is the CX equivalent of OW Emerald. Regardless of me pushing a good chunk of my business elsewhere, it's nearly impossible given my travel habits and HK base not to achieve that. CX Diamonds are treated quite well on board, but part of that "benefit" is due to an unfortunate and real decline in Cathay's service standards the last decade. Meaning, often those without status will have a crap flight if it's a bad crew.
Speaking from experience, CX catering in F is a century behind EK. And CX doesn't load many of each dish; what that means is, if you have a full house 6/6 in F, very good chance some of what you want isn't available. Nor is the menu nearly as abundant as EK. So here is where Diamond status comes in handy...you get your meal choice first in F, which frequently means the difference between your first choice or not since options are so limited by F standards, and quantities loaded of each are also low. At least on my EK flights the # of food options is at least double CX F, if not more. And it sounds like this isn't something you guys worry about.
Another area is the phone center....CX is notorious for having 2+ hour holding times for non elites, and even making their Silver members (equivalent to EK Silver) wait on hold for a half hour before reaching anyone. So call it the terrorism approach to elite status and customer service; you will only get acceptable service standards if you have high elite status...or else!
CX used to have an amazing benefit: as a Diamond, they would release cash inventory seats to you in award buckets. It was generous and really made being Diamond worthwhile; we all felt like we were getting a very nice discount back from CX, in exchange for spending some serious sums on them over the years (at least ex-HKG, CX is very expensive compared to the competition). But this benefit went away officially. We can still call and beg and cajole and sometimes they'll do it, but not guaranteed anymore. Anything like this on EK? I would really just be redeeming F, essentially being a de facto discount on travel once in a while.
CX/KA staff and cabin managers are all trained to treat their Diamond members quite well on board. Some folks find it a little robotic but indeed if you have a problem on board as a Diamond, they will bend over backwards to find a solution.
It sounds that there probably won't be these types of CX-like "benefits" to flying EK and accruing to EK when in F, except perhaps the shower if its a full house. i really doubt I'll go for Platinum because Dubai isn't a convenient connection for me except to Europe and Africa. And it sounds like there isn't really any special reason to go for it. But thanks for the replies. And greetings from a soon to be EK Silver, and Gold won't follow too far behind.
yes, I am CX's "Diamond" tier, which is the CX equivalent of OW Emerald. Regardless of me pushing a good chunk of my business elsewhere, it's nearly impossible given my travel habits and HK base not to achieve that. CX Diamonds are treated quite well on board, but part of that "benefit" is due to an unfortunate and real decline in Cathay's service standards the last decade. Meaning, often those without status will have a crap flight if it's a bad crew.
Speaking from experience, CX catering in F is a century behind EK. And CX doesn't load many of each dish; what that means is, if you have a full house 6/6 in F, very good chance some of what you want isn't available. Nor is the menu nearly as abundant as EK. So here is where Diamond status comes in handy...you get your meal choice first in F, which frequently means the difference between your first choice or not since options are so limited by F standards, and quantities loaded of each are also low. At least on my EK flights the # of food options is at least double CX F, if not more. And it sounds like this isn't something you guys worry about.
Another area is the phone center....CX is notorious for having 2+ hour holding times for non elites, and even making their Silver members (equivalent to EK Silver) wait on hold for a half hour before reaching anyone. So call it the terrorism approach to elite status and customer service; you will only get acceptable service standards if you have high elite status...or else!
CX used to have an amazing benefit: as a Diamond, they would release cash inventory seats to you in award buckets. It was generous and really made being Diamond worthwhile; we all felt like we were getting a very nice discount back from CX, in exchange for spending some serious sums on them over the years (at least ex-HKG, CX is very expensive compared to the competition). But this benefit went away officially. We can still call and beg and cajole and sometimes they'll do it, but not guaranteed anymore. Anything like this on EK? I would really just be redeeming F, essentially being a de facto discount on travel once in a while.
CX/KA staff and cabin managers are all trained to treat their Diamond members quite well on board. Some folks find it a little robotic but indeed if you have a problem on board as a Diamond, they will bend over backwards to find a solution.
It sounds that there probably won't be these types of CX-like "benefits" to flying EK and accruing to EK when in F, except perhaps the shower if its a full house. i really doubt I'll go for Platinum because Dubai isn't a convenient connection for me except to Europe and Africa. And it sounds like there isn't really any special reason to go for it. But thanks for the replies. And greetings from a soon to be EK Silver, and Gold won't follow too far behind.
Yes there general have been no reports of F food running out (there was a thread recently), so that's not an issue we have, unlike our neighbours in Abu Dhabi.
There are reports of Plats being able to get J award space or even F Upgrade space released. Once you have enough miles that may be valuable as you can book J and upgrade, but I've got no personal experience in this. I've been begging EK for a Y to J upgrade for a flight in August for months and they've not budged.
May 24, 2018, 9:21 am
#13
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
As far as call centres for EK is EKcellent (donno why I felt the need to write it that way, sorry), as a gold I have 0 hold time, it takes about 90 seconds for the prompts to enter my skywards number and pin and then I'm talking to a real person who can see my upcoming travel on their screen from my already entered Skywards number. The fact that this works and there is consistently zero hold time is amazing to me. The agents are also polite and helpful, however very by the book. There's little negotiating room unfortunately, though supposedly as a Plat there is a bit more leeway.
Yes there general have been no reports of F food running out (there was a thread recently), so that's not an issue we have, unlike our neighbours in Abu Dhabi.
There are reports of Plats being able to get J award space or even F Upgrade space released. Once you have enough miles that may be valuable as you can book J and upgrade, but I've got no personal experience in this. I've been begging EK for a Y to J upgrade for a flight in August for months and they've not budged.
Yes there general have been no reports of F food running out (there was a thread recently), so that's not an issue we have, unlike our neighbours in Abu Dhabi.
There are reports of Plats being able to get J award space or even F Upgrade space released. Once you have enough miles that may be valuable as you can book J and upgrade, but I've got no personal experience in this. I've been begging EK for a Y to J upgrade for a flight in August for months and they've not budged.
Even as a silver or no status you get a good and quick response from the EK call centre. The agents are knowledgeable and helpful. Only once, during one of the DXB fog episodes did I have to wait for about 5 minutes before the call was answered. And as Gold you get ‘an agent who is specialises to meet your needs’ (or so they say when the ask you to put in your Skywards number and pin). The call centre is definitely one of EK’s strong points.
As for availability of your first choice meal, I have never had problems either in J or F (the former on quite a few flights, the latter not that many). As I mentioned somewhere else a few weeks ago: on BA you only get your first choice if you know the chairman personally. EK is different!
May 24, 2018, 3:02 pm
#14
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
Unless you are the pickiest of passengers, you would find it hard to find much fault in F Service on EK regardless of status. Loads of room, nice comfortable seat/bed, private cabin, wi-if, excellent IFE, good amenity kit, mini-bar, showers on the A380 or use of the lounge at the rear of the it. Chauffeur service (only for F ex HKG) on arrival and departure.
Having flown a bit on CX over the years in Y, PY & J, yes they are a good airline and HKG is an efficient airport, I don’t feel the love for it as many others do, but as a OneWorld regular throughout my years of flying, I have got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed all of my EK flights and found DXB a good airport to transit through and well worth the few extra hours it may have put on the journey.
I look forward to the days when I can use them for my routings again (with the added bonus that I can miss out the LHR transit).
Welcome to the world of EK - and we’re a friendly bunch on here ��.
S
Having flown a bit on CX over the years in Y, PY & J, yes they are a good airline and HKG is an efficient airport, I don’t feel the love for it as many others do, but as a OneWorld regular throughout my years of flying, I have got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed all of my EK flights and found DXB a good airport to transit through and well worth the few extra hours it may have put on the journey.
I look forward to the days when I can use them for my routings again (with the added bonus that I can miss out the LHR transit).
Welcome to the world of EK - and we’re a friendly bunch on here ��.
S
May 25, 2018, 12:35 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Unless you are the pickiest of passengers, you would find it hard to find much fault in F Service on EK regardless of status. Loads of room, nice comfortable seat/bed, private cabin, wi-if, excellent IFE, good amenity kit, mini-bar, showers on the A380 or use of the lounge at the rear of the it. Chauffeur service (only for F ex HKG) on arrival and departure.
Having flown a bit on CX over the years in Y, PY & J, yes they are a good airline and HKG is an efficient airport, I don’t feel the love for it as many others do, but as a OneWorld regular throughout my years of flying, I have got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed all of my EK flights and found DXB a good airport to transit through and well worth the few extra hours it may have put on the journey.
I look forward to the days when I can use them for my routings again (with the added bonus that I can miss out the LHR transit).
Welcome to the world of EK - and we’re a friendly bunch on here ��.
S
Having flown a bit on CX over the years in Y, PY & J, yes they are a good airline and HKG is an efficient airport, I don’t feel the love for it as many others do, but as a OneWorld regular throughout my years of flying, I have got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed all of my EK flights and found DXB a good airport to transit through and well worth the few extra hours it may have put on the journey.
I look forward to the days when I can use them for my routings again (with the added bonus that I can miss out the LHR transit).
Welcome to the world of EK - and we’re a friendly bunch on here ��.
S
We have a great group at the CX board and I'll definitely keep flying CX, don't have a practical choice for a lot of flights. But the service and soft product has fallen off a cliff in the last 5+ years, especially in premium cabins. And I've been very, very pleased with my recent EK flights in F, even without status. Great airline seems to me.