Restriction on First rewards
May 11, 2025 | 12:04 am
#16
Join Date: May 2020
Location: DXB and JNB
Programs: EK Plat; (Happy) QR Exile
Posts: 939
It has nothing to do with keeping influencers out.
Restricting F achieves:
- Eliminating brokered F seats once and for all (revenue protection).
- Forces Americans to get the co-brand credit card if they don't already hold status (revenue stream for EK).
- Turns F redemptions into a benefit of status rather than a competition against the masses.
- Ratchet up the exclusivity on redemptions because EK has a large high-value-pax base in UAE and has no problems shelling out cash for F.
Remember that Gold/Platinum status already requires at least one paid segment in J/F to qualify.
Achieving EK status costs more than the equivalent status on any other airline, and protecting that revenue from top customers is what drives the profits.
Restricting F achieves:
- Eliminating brokered F seats once and for all (revenue protection).
- Forces Americans to get the co-brand credit card if they don't already hold status (revenue stream for EK).
- Turns F redemptions into a benefit of status rather than a competition against the masses.
- Ratchet up the exclusivity on redemptions because EK has a large high-value-pax base in UAE and has no problems shelling out cash for F.
Remember that Gold/Platinum status already requires at least one paid segment in J/F to qualify.
Achieving EK status costs more than the equivalent status on any other airline, and protecting that revenue from top customers is what drives the profits.
May 11, 2025 | 12:54 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,641
If this is to make any sense, I think it goes without saying that partner programs will lose access to EK F awards.
May 11, 2025 | 12:54 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Dubai
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Accor Diamond, BA Gold, QR Plat
Posts: 434
It has nothing to do with keeping influencers out.
Restricting F achieves:
- Eliminating brokered F seats once and for all (revenue protection).
- Forces Americans to get the co-brand credit card if they don't already hold status (revenue stream for EK).
- Turns F redemptions into a benefit of status rather than a competition against the masses.
- Ratchet up the exclusivity on redemptions because EK has a large high-value-pax base in UAE and has no problems shelling out cash for F.
Remember that Gold/Platinum status already requires at least one paid segment in J/F to qualify.
Achieving EK status costs more than the equivalent status on any other airline, and protecting that revenue from top customers is what drives the profits.
Restricting F achieves:
- Eliminating brokered F seats once and for all (revenue protection).
- Forces Americans to get the co-brand credit card if they don't already hold status (revenue stream for EK).
- Turns F redemptions into a benefit of status rather than a competition against the masses.
- Ratchet up the exclusivity on redemptions because EK has a large high-value-pax base in UAE and has no problems shelling out cash for F.
Remember that Gold/Platinum status already requires at least one paid segment in J/F to qualify.
Achieving EK status costs more than the equivalent status on any other airline, and protecting that revenue from top customers is what drives the profits.
i was always wondering how their business model works - do they just use points to buy on behalf of their customers?
May 11, 2025 | 7:32 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,482
Combination of selling deep discount J/F on some airlines (where no mileage etc. is earned) and yes, booking points redemptions and charging cash for it. Many of the customers do not know the difference in the fare type or care.
May 11, 2025 | 12:15 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards silver :-(, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,572
May 11, 2025 | 11:00 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 1A
Programs: Elite Diamond Purple Gold Silver Titanium for life
Posts: 1,882
Sadly, Qantas bronze members (no status) will have the same first-class access as Emirates Platinum members.
https://flighthacks.com.au/qff-acces...s-first-class/
https://flighthacks.com.au/qff-acces...s-first-class/
May 11, 2025 | 11:50 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 1A
Programs: Elite Diamond Purple Gold Silver Titanium for life
Posts: 1,882
The most common way is to use points from someone else to book your cheap J/F ticket.
Transferring points in from Amex/Citi or similar.... into an aged account, or one where name matching won't flag anything.
EK are good at cancelling tickets, so fewer get through these days, but it still happens.
Stay away from these tickets.
May 12, 2025 | 2:08 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards silver :-(, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,572
May 12, 2025 | 2:27 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: QF Plat, VA Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 547
Sadly, Qantas bronze members (no status) will have the same first-class access as Emirates Platinum members.
https://flighthacks.com.au/qff-acces...s-first-class/
https://flighthacks.com.au/qff-acces...s-first-class/
May 12, 2025 | 8:01 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2023
Programs: Bonvoy Plat., Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres. Circle, Europcar Privilege Elite VIP, LH, EK, BAEC
Posts: 35
May 12, 2025 | 10:51 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: LH Senator, SAS Gold, Atmos Gold, Porter Venture, Marriott Platnium
Posts: 2,035