Jun 12, 2019, 11:57 pm
Last edit by: extramileage
From around the 10th of June 2019 it has been observed that Emirates is marketing a new fare brand "Business Special". The introduction of a new fare bucket on the GDS with identifier "H" was first observed by m3red several weeks prior, speculation was that this might relate to Premium Economy. This fare bucket appears, however, to be intended for deep discount Business Class.
Restrictions:
- no chauffeur drive
- "restricted" seat selection (per website: "Complimentary for all passengers choosing a seat after check-in opens. Emirates Skywards Platinum members can select a seat any time")
- no lounge access
- no ability at all to upgrade with miles
Skywards:
- Earns at the same rates as Y Flex Plus
- Cannot redeem miles to book this fare brand
- Cannot upgrade with miles from J Special to F in any circumstances
Restrictions:
- no chauffeur drive
- "restricted" seat selection (per website: "Complimentary for all passengers choosing a seat after check-in opens. Emirates Skywards Platinum members can select a seat any time")
- no lounge access
- no ability at all to upgrade with miles
Skywards:
- Earns at the same rates as Y Flex Plus
- Cannot redeem miles to book this fare brand
- Cannot upgrade with miles from J Special to F in any circumstances
New Business Class Fare Bucket
Jul 10, 2019, 5:55 am
#76
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,549
I am not sure how it is Emirates's fault if your travel agent doesn't know what it is selling ; if you go directly to Emirates to make the purchase, is it not easy to tell online whether it is a light fare or not?
Jul 10, 2019, 6:28 am
#78
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
I agree that this new pricing policy is detrimental to EK. Lots of people, if not most, buy tickets from a travel agent. To stay competitive agents will probably book J tickets in the cheapest available fare bucket, unaware that there are differences. When passengers get at the airport and find out they don’t have lounge access they’ll certainly blame it on EK, not their travel agent.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:31 am
#79
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
Jul 10, 2019, 6:32 am
#80
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
However T&Cs should be made clear before purchase not after. As far as I could see on the dates I was traveling the only fares in business class were the saver flex and flex + which as far as I am aware qualify for the full service which suggests that these " Business Class Special fares" might only be sold through third parties and perhaps they should be sold better branded.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:34 am
#81
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
However T&Cs should be made clear before purchase not after. As far as I could see on the dates I was traveling the only fares in business class were the saver flex and flex + which as far as I am aware qualify for the full service which suggests that these " Business Class Special fares" might only be sold through third parties and perhaps they should be sold better branded.
Jul 10, 2019, 6:39 am
#82
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
However many people buy on line and even those with better reputations like Opodo.co.uk their customer service people misinformed me(mind you I am not so sure about their reputation when they try and charge for seat reservations in business class that the airline do for free)
Jul 11, 2019, 2:24 am
#83
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,304
Opodo lost any good reputation they might have had many years ago.
Jul 11, 2019, 4:54 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Warks.England
Programs: Thai Silver,Skywards Silver,Gulf Silver, Interconti Prority Platinum, FR Priority Q!
Posts: 697
I checked on random mid week dates in Feb BHX/BKK and it was only £100 less for Special over Saver , with no Lounge,no Chauffeur and only free seating after check-in opens.
No thanks
SS
No thanks
SS
Jul 11, 2019, 5:17 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
the fares I was checking in March returning May had no specials on the Emirates pages but many of the agencies were selling them without any warning indeed not even aware of the restrictions. I did myself find a good price with an agency for the saver fare (and have booked the chauffeur and seats so confident I have the right product )
Jul 11, 2019, 6:20 pm
#86
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK/Mauritius
Programs: EK Skywards silver Miles and Smiles Hilton Honours Hyatt Priority Club Kestrel A
Posts: 683
Just checked MAN-MRU fares and the saver I booked for September at under £2500 is now £2773. The special is £2573 so a jump of £200. The old saver price is now the special price. So a way to up prices.
Jul 11, 2019, 9:16 pm
#87
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
