Working the math
 

I suspect this isn't the first thread on this issue, but I was giving it some though yesterday about EK and Skywards points. The points aren't that valuable, I believe, especially with the reduced reward availability these days.

But, let's take this example, just because I travel it quite a bit:

YYZ-DXB-DAC-DXB-YYZ on EK
Typically, in Y, this ticket would run you $1600 off-peak commencing from YYZ and around $1400 off-peak commencing from DAC.

The basic miles on this RT journey is just over 18,000; the 25% Silver tier bonus brings the total to 22,500 or so. That is essentially only 10% less than what is required for a 25,000 mile reward redemption on United, for a Canada/Alaska/USA ticket. Sometimes, these tickets (especially Canada-USA) can run up to $500. That CONSIDERABLY reduces the effective cost of the EK Y-class ticket to say, even $1000; that's a pretty decent price for a YYZ-DAC-YYZ on Emirates!

Now, you're probably thinking.. It just works out that way because of Skywards Silver. But, when you have one RT trip giving you 18,000 of 25,000 miles required, it doesn't take much to hit Silver.

Sorry for the rambling; I know this is quite common knowledge, but it is neat to use rewards where they provide decent value!

-t.

Don't forget the online booking bonus now for Y (30%) which means you will hit that 25000 miles mark for your award on United :)

I am used to booking return ticks, outbound in F, return in Y; then using miles to upgrade the return leg.

On a BEY-DXB-SYD trip this earns me (including online/tier bonus) 36636 on the outbound. And 16036 on the return leg, which is enough for a one way upgrade to J. :)
Those points save me a good $1000US (instead of paying to ugprade to J).

You could essentially do a similar thing ex-DAC.

Thanks... Good point on the 30% online booking bonus! :-)

So I haven't been able to use EK's website to book a RT, one way in J/F and the other in Y.. Any advice?

The price differences are crazy. YYZ-DAC-YYZ in J is close to CAD9,600 while DAC-YYZ-DAC is less than CAD4,000. That's a huge saving right there. Plus, the online booking plus tier bonus booking for J means a definite upgrade for the DXB-YYZ sector as DAC-DXB is high-density (two-tier config)

Actually, that is exactly what I did this time. I usually originate from YYZ and recently moved to DAC, so I bought a OW YYZ-DAC ticket in Y (got op-up'ed on BOTH sectors) so I can pick up DAC-YYZ-DAC tickets. Paid CAD1,382 and got lucky!

There are so many differences, even with fare conditions (BDT1500=CAD20 vs. CAD200 for cancellation before departure, FREE vs. CAD125 change fees for Y-class tickets) that I figure starting in DAC is definitely worth it!!! :-)

t.

Click on advanced search and you can add individual sectors in multiple classes. Unfortunately, only the full fare (Y2RT) fare ex DAC is combinable with the Business Class fare so you only save a measly $150 if you go Y one way and C the other vs C both ways.

Cheers,

Thanks.. And, double thanks on saving me on the search time :-)

-t.

Plain ridiculous how airlines make use of established market norms to generate more revenue in the western countries.

A friend of mine paid in excess of $3500AU for a return SYD-LAX-JFK in Y on QF (having changed his travel dates and hit $300 for each change and for adding a stopover in LAX).

I pay less than that to fly Emirates in F/J, from M.East to SYD (similar distance); and I can change things around as I like, change flights, change point of return, add stopovers in SIN/BKK/DXB and all I would have to pay is the additional airport taxes.

The way the system works is unfair for everyone originating in the western countries. :td:

Airlines will charge what the market will bear. Premium travel ex cities like DEL,DAC,KHI,CMB,BKK etc are lower because people are not willing to pay as much. However, it is not just about the cities. On EK, you will almost always pay less KHI-DXB-XXX than DXB-XXX because EK can charge extra for DXB-XXX as it offers a nonstop service. In the example of the recent DXB-JED thread, KHI-DXB-JED is 904USD + tax in F, whereas DXB-JED is 1579USD + tax.

EK knows about UAE residents buying ex KHI tickets and ripping off the first coupon so this ex KHI ticket now includes the following clause:


Cheers,

But nothing could stop you from booking a tick online, ex KHI; fly into KHI on G9 (airarabia) for $70 and catch the EK/EY/QR/GF flights of your choice, right?

You would not be a resident of UAE in any way, just a traveller stpc'ing in Dubai :)

Well, I don't suspect it would be a problem, BUT, you never know. While there are restrictions and the responsibility lies with the travel agent, there may be the odd chance that the check-in agent may see that there isn't a photocopy of the passport on file and may request one, causing additional problems?!?

Hey, if you can get away with it, that's awesome!

-t.