Big & Bad Changes to EK Redemptions and Upgrades - June 2021
Jun 8, 2021, 1:17 am
#1
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Big & Bad Changes to EK Redemptions and Upgrades - June 2021
besides QF, does anyone know which partner still has space to EK F after September 2021?
Jun 9, 2021, 12:35 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
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In 2017 QF and EK extended their partnership by 5 years so that should come up for renegotiation in 2022. Even if they extend again I wouldn't be surprised to see F awards going. EK have even made it more expensive for Skywards members to get F awards by eliminating Flex F awards for return tickets from 1 July 2021. They will all be priced at Flex Plus rates.
Jun 9, 2021, 2:37 am
#3
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None that I know of, but interested to hear what others say.
In 2017 QF and EK extended their partnership by 5 years so that should come up for renegotiation in 2022. Even if they extend again I wouldn't be surprised to see F awards going. EK have even made it more expensive for Skywards members to get F awards by eliminating Flex F awards for return tickets from 1 July 2021. They will all be priced at Flex Plus rates.
In 2017 QF and EK extended their partnership by 5 years so that should come up for renegotiation in 2022. Even if they extend again I wouldn't be surprised to see F awards going. EK have even made it more expensive for Skywards members to get F awards by eliminating Flex F awards for return tickets from 1 July 2021. They will all be priced at Flex Plus rates.
Jun 9, 2021, 6:26 am
#4
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In 2017 QF and EK extended their partnership by 5 years so that should come up for renegotiation in 2022. Even if they extend again I wouldn't be surprised to see F awards going. EK have even made it more expensive for Skywards members to get F awards by eliminating Flex F awards for return tickets from 1 July 2021. They will all be priced at Flex Plus rates.
Plus, there also maybe a change in that Saver Business class cannot be upgraded in advance... @m3red is looking at that one.
This almost needs a thread of its own!
Jun 9, 2021, 2:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Has that been communicated anywhere? Looking at future redemptions, and they do all seem to be Flex Plus.
Plus, there also maybe a change in that Saver Business class cannot be upgraded in advance... @m3red is looking at that one.
This almost needs a thread of its own!
Plus, there also maybe a change in that Saver Business class cannot be upgraded in advance... @m3red is looking at that one.
This almost needs a thread of its own!
First Class Flex Classic Rewards will be available for travel until 30 June 2021.
For travel from 1 July 2021 onwards, only First Class Flex Plus Classic Rewards will be available for all First Class one-way and return bookings
For travel from 1 July 2021 onwards, only First Class Flex Plus Classic Rewards will be available for all First Class one-way and return bookings
Jun 9, 2021, 11:06 pm
#6
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Jun 9, 2021, 11:27 pm
#7
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Jun 9, 2021, 11:49 pm
#8
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In the past, J Flex to F and J Flex + to F required the same number of miles. I see in the calculator that from Flex+ the number of miles has not changed, from Flex it has increased by 15%
Jun 10, 2021, 1:02 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Jun 10, 2021, 1:50 am
#10
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Big & Bad Changes to EK Redemptions and Upgrades
As initially noted by minz56 it appears that EK have slyly made some big changes to Redemptions and Upgrades. Of course, none of these are good, and it's a big devaluation after they had the big sales of Skywards points earlier this year.
As far as I am aware, there has not been any official communication of this from EK.
F Redemptions
"For travel from 1 July 2021 onwards, only First Class Flex Plus Classic Rewards will be available for all First Class one-way and return bookings"
J -> F Upgrades
It doesn't now seem possible to upgrade J Saver to F in advance. m3red has a flight booked in J saver that can't be upgraded, even though upgrades are showing from J Flex to F. The mileage calculator still shows it's possible, so I wonder if they'll only allow upgrades at check-in?
As noted by thijsseh , "In the past, J Flex to F and J Flex + to F required the same number of miles. I see in the calculator that from Flex+ the number of miles has not changed, from Flex it has increased by 15%". I can also see that a UK-> DXB Flex upgrade has gone from 30k to 34k.
From what I can see, J redemptions haven't be touched yet... but I'll be trying to use my points ASAP!
As far as I am aware, there has not been any official communication of this from EK.
F Redemptions
"For travel from 1 July 2021 onwards, only First Class Flex Plus Classic Rewards will be available for all First Class one-way and return bookings"
J -> F Upgrades
It doesn't now seem possible to upgrade J Saver to F in advance. m3red has a flight booked in J saver that can't be upgraded, even though upgrades are showing from J Flex to F. The mileage calculator still shows it's possible, so I wonder if they'll only allow upgrades at check-in?
As noted by thijsseh , "In the past, J Flex to F and J Flex + to F required the same number of miles. I see in the calculator that from Flex+ the number of miles has not changed, from Flex it has increased by 15%". I can also see that a UK-> DXB Flex upgrade has gone from 30k to 34k.
From what I can see, J redemptions haven't be touched yet... but I'll be trying to use my points ASAP!
Jun 10, 2021, 2:02 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
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My flights are in J flex (upgraded to F) so I can upgrade them but I’m guessing I will be charged the new rate when I move them.
EK really need to communicate these changes to customers. One could argue it’s unfair sales practices by selling miles at a heavily discounted rate with big campaigns and then putting up prices and not bothering to communicate them...
It’s definitely not industry leading transparency.
EK really need to communicate these changes to customers. One could argue it’s unfair sales practices by selling miles at a heavily discounted rate with big campaigns and then putting up prices and not bothering to communicate them...
It’s definitely not industry leading transparency.
Jun 10, 2021, 7:59 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Zurich
Programs: Skywards Silver
Posts: 138
I upgraded two weeks ago from Y Flex to J Flex ZRH-DXB-ZRH for flights in early Nov. At that time upgrades from Y Flex and Y Flex Plus to J were possible. Upgrades from Y Saver to J Saver only possible at check-in counter.
Just did a dummy booking for another flight in late Nov also ZRH-DXB-ZRH and can confirm this is still the case. That is definitey new, as I was able to upgrade from Y Saver to J Saver in the past (though usually book Y Flex to upgrade and have not flown on EK for over a year due to all the Covid restrictions so maybe missed any changes to the policy).
Could this also be “adjustments” in light of PE?
Mmmh🤔..some transparency on this from EK would be great!
Just did a dummy booking for another flight in late Nov also ZRH-DXB-ZRH and can confirm this is still the case. That is definitey new, as I was able to upgrade from Y Saver to J Saver in the past (though usually book Y Flex to upgrade and have not flown on EK for over a year due to all the Covid restrictions so maybe missed any changes to the policy).
Could this also be “adjustments” in light of PE?
Mmmh🤔..some transparency on this from EK would be great!
Jun 10, 2021, 9:02 am
#15
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
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Location: Manchester, UK
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