Anyone else feel shortchanged by Emirates and Skywards?
Feb 17, 2019, 1:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
Anyone else feel shortchanged by Emirates and Skywards?
Having been a loyal Gold or Platinum member of Skywards for the past ten years or so, I’m getting a bit sick of Emirates, truth be told. Despite this loyalty, I am yet to receive an upgrade and have never received anything beyond the standard service for the ticket class my employer buys (Business Flex or Flex+).
The only time I fly them is long haul or ultra long haul for work, so I’m always in a business class seat (is it bad that I’ve never been downstairs on an A380?!?). Consequently, Skywards doesn’t really give me anything more than I get through the ticket (First lounge in Dubai is OK, but the Business lounge is perfectly acceptable to be able to grab a shower and bite to eat in transit).
I’m travelling with Emirates from UK to Taipei next week and then back to UK from Tokyo the following week. Despite being Gold from 2010 - 2016 and Platinum from 2017 to present, after this one, I think I’m going to stop flying Emirates and focus on keeping my One World (BA Silver) and Star Alliance (Turkish Gold) statuses up so that I can use the various lounges when I’m doing short hops around the various regions in economy.
Sinply put, Skywards doesn’t offer me enough to encourage me to want to stay flying Emirates.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
The only time I fly them is long haul or ultra long haul for work, so I’m always in a business class seat (is it bad that I’ve never been downstairs on an A380?!?). Consequently, Skywards doesn’t really give me anything more than I get through the ticket (First lounge in Dubai is OK, but the Business lounge is perfectly acceptable to be able to grab a shower and bite to eat in transit).
I’m travelling with Emirates from UK to Taipei next week and then back to UK from Tokyo the following week. Despite being Gold from 2010 - 2016 and Platinum from 2017 to present, after this one, I think I’m going to stop flying Emirates and focus on keeping my One World (BA Silver) and Star Alliance (Turkish Gold) statuses up so that I can use the various lounges when I’m doing short hops around the various regions in economy.
Sinply put, Skywards doesn’t offer me enough to encourage me to want to stay flying Emirates.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
Feb 17, 2019, 2:49 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,304
If you're in Business Class, then Skywards perks don't mean a lot except for extra Skywards Miles. However, there are lots of different travel patterns and some will benefit more than others. Only you can decide whether it's worth it for you.
Feb 17, 2019, 4:01 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 558
I can't seem to see anywhere on EK benefits which specifies you are entitled to an op up. I second what ft101 writes above.
Do I think Skywards could be better, of course:
Do I think Skywards could be better, of course:
- A separate wifi network for Gold members onboard.
- Change fees discounted or made free of charge (later is unlikely to happen but wishful thinking?)
- Better food quality in lounges (especially in Shanghai!)
- In-flight catering at a certain time - I tend to eat at the lounges before the flight and then can not eat at EK's designated time which is usually after take off). I can't see this being difficult given the party taken place by the cabin crew in the back cabin in most flights! And yes, I don't mean 30 minutes before touch-down but the pursuer who does the 'welcoming' round can simply ask when you would like your meal would be a nice touch.
- More luggage allowance for gold members (because 46kg is not enough
) - This is just a personal one but 2 hours in transit at Dubai is simply not enough to enjoy the lounge.
- I have a 4 hour car journey to Shanghai, by having lounge access it allows me to shower and wind down before my long haul flight.
- Food in some outstations are decent.
- Dedicated queue for Gold members at boarding
- Dedicated check-in
Last edited by S c 0 TT y; Feb 17, 2019 at 4:07 am
Feb 17, 2019, 4:36 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I can't seem to see anywhere on EK benefits which specifies you are entitled to an op up. I second what ft101 writes above.
Do I think Skywards could be better, of course:
Do I think Skywards could be better, of course:
- A separate wifi network for Gold members onboard.
- Change fees discounted or made free of charge (later is unlikely to happen but wishful thinking?)
- Better food quality in lounges (especially in Shanghai!)
- In-flight catering at a certain time - I tend to eat at the lounges before the flight and then can not eat at EK's designated time which is usually after take off). I can't see this being difficult given the party taken place by the cabin crew in the back cabin in most flights! And yes, I don't mean 30 minutes before touch-down but the pursuer who does the 'welcoming' round can simply ask when you would like your meal would be a nice touch.
- More luggage allowance for gold members (because 46kg is not enough )
- This is just a personal one but 2 hours in transit at Dubai is simply not enough to enjoy the lounge.
- I have a 4 hour car journey to Shanghai, by having lounge access it allows me to shower and wind down before my long haul flight.
- Food in some outstations are decent.
- Dedicated queue for Gold members at boarding
- Dedicated check-in
To the OP: you're saying you've never been able to upgrade to F with your miles? That seems the obvious use of them in your position, especially on a J Flex+
Feb 17, 2019, 7:35 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Bonvoy :Ambassador , ALL :Diamond, Skywards :Silver, Krisflyer :Silver
Posts: 2,803
For people who book business class and above, the elite benefit kind of overlap with travel class own benefit.
Feb 17, 2019, 7:50 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Yep, it's exactly why I love flying EK and there's a high barrier to switching since I fly Y and Gold status makes it much more comfortable
Feb 17, 2019, 7:56 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
Clearly, I don’t expect op-ups all the time, but once in a while would be appreciated to recognise the significant spend and commitment required to attain and keep Platinum. Especially as there are no benefits in being in an alliance with Skywards.
At least with One World and Star Alliance, once you get to a half decent status, you can use the various lounges when flying economy (of which I do a lot when I am in region).
I use my miles to upgrade to First quite frequently.
At least with One World and Star Alliance, once you get to a half decent status, you can use the various lounges when flying economy (of which I do a lot when I am in region).
I use my miles to upgrade to First quite frequently.
Last edited by schmalex; Feb 17, 2019 at 11:00 am
Feb 17, 2019, 9:37 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Miles&More AirNZ BA Emirates Finnair Plus
Posts: 33
Feb 17, 2019, 2:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 767
Feb 17, 2019, 2:25 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
My point is, with the alliances, the major benefit is you get premium checkin / lounge access across a multitude of airlines regardless of class of travel (assuming you have the required status).
This is of significant value to me as I only use Emirates for Ling Haul and then other carriers for short hops when I’m in my destination region (for example, a typical trip for me involves meetings in 3 or 4 places out of a mix of KL, Singapore, Hanoi, Tokyo, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul and Taipei over a 12 day period. I would only use Emirates for the run from UK to my first stop in Asia and then from my last stop back to UK. I’ll typically do 4 or 5 short haul flights during the trip to hop between locations.
It is these, shorter, flights where the benefit of lounge access / premium check-in really helps take the sting out of it.
Consequently, Emirates don’t give me enough of a reason to remain so loyal
Last edited by schmalex; Feb 17, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Feb 17, 2019, 3:50 pm
#14
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,600
You mentioned in the OP that you fly business class, so you'd get lounge access anyway.
Anyway, I'd never be loyal to any airline just because I had status. Price and convenience are my priority.
Anyway, I'd never be loyal to any airline just because I had status. Price and convenience are my priority.
Feb 17, 2019, 9:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
Clearly. However, it’s limited to when you’re flying Emirates. Obviously.
My point is, with the alliances, the major benefit is you get premium checkin / lounge access across a multitude of airlines regardless of class of travel (assuming you have the required status).
This is of significant value to me as I only use Emirates for Ling Haul and then other carriers for short hops when I’m in my destination region (for example, a typical trip for me involves meetings in 3 or 4 places out of a mix of KL, Singapore, Hanoi, Tokyo, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul and Taipei over a 12 day period. I would only use Emirates for the run from UK to my first stop in Asia and then from my last stop back to UK. I’ll typically do 4 or 5 short haul flights during the trip to hop between locations.
It is these, shorter, flights where the benefit of lounge access / premium check-in really helps take the sting out of it.
Consequently, Emirates don’t give me enough of a reason to remain so loyal