Award Inventory release
Sep 24, 2021, 12:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: MM, EK, HH, etc.
Posts: 381
Award Inventory release
Hi
Lately I have noticed that Ek award and upgrade award inventory, both in F and C, has significantly dropped, and seems to become available in an extremely haphazard manner. And I am talking exclusively about flights that are half empty or less and end up going out with a load that is nowhere near full (e.g., impossible to get an F award on a 2/14 load flight, which then ends up going out at 4/14). Anyone else made this observation, or am I just unlucky?
I understand the purpose of yield management, but in these cases EK just seems to be shooting themselves in the foot (I ended up flying other carriers on 2 such occasions). Is it simply bad load prediction on the part of EK (these software solutions are usually pretty accurate, though), is EK simply overly greedy or do they just want to prevent Skywards+ members from purchasing upgrades at a 20% discount, forcing them to wait until check-in and pay full miles?
Lately I have noticed that Ek award and upgrade award inventory, both in F and C, has significantly dropped, and seems to become available in an extremely haphazard manner. And I am talking exclusively about flights that are half empty or less and end up going out with a load that is nowhere near full (e.g., impossible to get an F award on a 2/14 load flight, which then ends up going out at 4/14). Anyone else made this observation, or am I just unlucky?
I understand the purpose of yield management, but in these cases EK just seems to be shooting themselves in the foot (I ended up flying other carriers on 2 such occasions). Is it simply bad load prediction on the part of EK (these software solutions are usually pretty accurate, though), is EK simply overly greedy or do they just want to prevent Skywards+ members from purchasing upgrades at a 20% discount, forcing them to wait until check-in and pay full miles?
Last edited by Wtravel; Sep 24, 2021 at 12:40 pm Reason: Typo
Sep 25, 2021, 10:20 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DXB
Programs: EK, AA, DL, UA, SPG, HGP, Amex
Posts: 1,208
Hard to say... But cash is king when times are tough and EK is pushing a fair amount of Special fares where it's a push between Y+Miles Upgrade and J Special.
I've seen a couple situations where there's literally only a couple seats booked in J and no available upgrades ... but pleny of Special fares.
I've seen a couple situations where there's literally only a couple seats booked in J and no available upgrades ... but pleny of Special fares.
Sep 25, 2021, 8:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 426
Hard to say... But cash is king when times are tough and EK is pushing a fair amount of Special fares where it's a push between Y+Miles Upgrade and J Special.
I've seen a couple situations where there's literally only a couple seats booked in J and no available upgrades ... but pleny of Special fares.
I've seen a couple situations where there's literally only a couple seats booked in J and no available upgrades ... but pleny of Special fares.
I’m looking for 4 x RT YYZ-DXB RT in J.