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Skywards is changing from JAN 2010, they wrote 10keys - changes, I understand out from the letter F and C is gaining more moles, but still behind LH program, and Y is getting harder to gain miles Im guessing. But what Im really worry is that is harder and more expensive to get a Free Ticket. Anyone have any clue and guesses about the changing ?
I'm a Gold card member and im trying to understand how this will impact me. The 10 key changes is not that clear and the website is poorly designed. The cynic in me says that economy class passengers will suffer and cheap tickets will become harder to procure and will cost more.
With a declining service proposition this is not the right time to start this venture.
Airpocket the answer is they always follow others fellow path! They think that is just in the beginning people get upset, then it will past and in the long run we will accept the changes. I do have Gold with EK and Plat with Flying Blue, but with the new changes in their program I will look for other option. The worst changes is the Flying Blue less earnings miles and more miles for spending. I just wish someway us consumers can join force together.
People should consider Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways when travelling. EK service is starting to go one way and its not the right way.
Spoke to both the reservations and Skywards representatives today as I tried a 'dummy' booking for February 2010 on the Emirates website, however the reservations website is not yet designed for the new changes. As a result you cannot work out the impact of booking a ticket in any class to see what options it will provide for the pax. Neither the reservations agents or Skywards could clarify exactly how a ticket would be displayed or the impact of the options to a Pax !
A classic case of the management releasing a new scheme without briefing the employees adequately or having the systems ready to handle the changes!
I foresee the same nonsense that we have with the BA Executive Club at present with the lack of clarity and transparency in the schemes.
I envisage and expect the worst!
One thing I always like about EK is that what ever ticket I buy I will always get the full mileage, I hope this would not change. Im not so lucky that my company will let me fly F or C every time. I think one of the main reason I have put up with the 3x4x3 on the 777 config with EK, is Skywards Y miles setting.
I read the release with interest. The way I interpret it, F&C flights will receive a greater percentage of miles flown. Economy will be split into Flexible (higher price) and Economy (Discount). Reading between the lines, it seems as if basic Economy will still attract one Skywards mile for each mile flown, while Flexible will receive a small premium. Looks like they will also have more frequent "specials" during which time extra Skywards miles can be earned. I reckon we should wait for the finer detail before criticisising too heavily. My only concern is that they are starting to complicate what is currently a very simple and easy to understand system.
I agree we should not criticise the scheme as we don't know exactly how it affects us. However at the crux of the matter is the lack of briefing that EK/Skywards employees have received about the scheme to answer questions. EK should have established either a 'dummy' website for reservations to illustrate how a booking would look to the customer/pax when planning a flight in 2010. From what I understand you will not be able to see this until 1st January 2010 when the new reservations web page will be displayed. Failing this there should be some illustrations of bookings and the sort of fares to be offered including the class of travel that attract the skywards bonus miles/points, e.g. in Economy, designated class of tickets such as L,M,N, O, etc. Whilst the value of redemption tickets on key routes is 50% for one way sectors, apparently you cannot undertake to book one of these one way sectors until 1st January, together with other fares/redemptions under the new scheme Whilst we applaud the innovation and dynamism of EK to provide Skyward members with improved service, the systems should be in place to accept the bookings (up to one year in advance) or at least have examples of how the scheme will work. Customer/Pax facing staff handling booking enquiries also need to be briefed so that they can respond with confidence and accuracy to enquiries. At this point this seems to be lacking!
Agreed. Perhaps they're trying to pique our interest in the new scheme by teasing? This would explain the lack of detail so far. This would also explain why they're doing it almost three months in advance of the launch date. But it does appear to be a little ham-fisted.
Hi Guys!
I hope it will change even better, but lately all the others program is getting worse and harder with their changes. Thats why Im not getting high expectations. Maybe Skywards leak the changes so far ahead to get some respons to see travellers reaction. Not like BA who burse out the seat charge, and got only negative feedback.
Hello (Tom Otley, here - editor)
I've been following this, and thought it would make a good news story if we can get a comment or interview from Skywards. To that end I am hoping to interview someone from Skywards early next week.
If there are any questions you would like to address to Skywards, please post them on this thread and we'll see whether we can get some answers.
Many thanks
I am not sure if others have picked up on this. It seems miles will not be awarded until all the flights within one leg have been completed. I am not sure if people use EK tickets in the same way as BA tickets , i.e. start from a European - fly to the US and then back to LHR, leaving the last portion unused. If so then you could end up getting nothing on the return leg.
I think that's true, but then it is something that all airlines try and discourage - "throwaway ticketing." If someone does it, then they will not be credited the miles for the whole of a return part of a trip, for instance.
In my opinion you should get miles for the flight you have made, plans do change and sometimes its better not to use last segment. But one thing you must do is alert the airline so they dont wait for you. I do have questions that SiteAdm. may forward to Skywards : Do they have any plans to change the Look at the Skywards cards, and introduce new levels?
I will certainly try and find out. I believe the answer to the first question is yes....
"2010 also marks Skywards tenth anniversary. To celebrate, we will unveil an exciting, contemporary new look. Most notably, you can look forward to receiving a distinctive new membership card that truly reflects your status as a valued Skywards member. ".
and the second is no, for the moment...
"Will Skywards be having a 4th tier, above Gold? Isn't this the perfect time to introduce one?
Emirates is continually looking for additional ways to provide recognition and exemplary service to our very top customers. For now, the Gold tier remains our most elite tier with benefits and privileges deserving of our best customers.
The most basic question. Will an existing Economy-type ticket-i.e one that can be discounted and not the flexible one that will be introduced in 2010-still attract one full Skywards Mile for each mile flown?
And if so, presumably the flexible economy ticket will then have a premium Skywards mileage award?
Alternatively, is Skywards only going to award full miles for a flexible Economy ticket and downgrade the mileage allowed on a discounted ticket?
It's not clear from the press release as it only mentions the higher awards for F & C travel.
The net effect of the latter move would be to significantly reduce the ability of discounted Economy travellers to attain Silver or Gold tiers, which would be very much in line with BA's policy.
Perhaps they're still debating the issue?
I found this info on the Skywards 10K changes :
# How many Miles will I earn on 'Skywards Flex' and 'Skywards Saver' fares? # You will earn 100% of base Miles when you purchase 'Skyward Flex' fares. You will earn 50% of base Miles when you purchase 'Skywards Saver' fares.
Increased class of travel bonuses will be earned separately, as will any Gold/Silver bonuses. New Miles Accelerator bonuses will also be earned separately. (see relevant sections below).
Business Traveller replies:
We've now posted an exclusive interview with Brian LaBelle, senior vice-president of the Skywards scheme, regarding the forthcoming changes. This can be read at:
http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/emirates-skywards
Thanks SiteAdm for making the story.
Is just confirmed Skywards is getting harder, and its not a everyone product anymore, is targeting F and C pax as state. This is very sad that one of the last major program is turning around. The time will show if this was a smart move or not, as the Flying Blue program. I know that many of my friends will not retain their tier in the FB program since they make it harder to earn miles. And the result they are not loyal to KL or AF when they book their ticket anymore.
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