As I first wrote about a couple of days ago, Emirates Skywards has increased its award pricing in many markets. I wanted to provide an update, as Emirates has now confirmed the devaluation, and has issued a statement regarding this.
Continue reading: Emirates Skywards Devalues, Increases Award Costs
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This really sucks. Raising redemption rates and still charging usury amounts for taxes, fuel surcharges, etc.
Across airlines and hotels, revenues are at an all-time high. And, to the extent that dissatisfied loyalty program members don't move the revenue needle, expect the march of devaluations across all programs to continue. I am not saying that I like it. But, I am saying that it's just the way it is.
Interesting, especially as the skywards+ membership gives exactly 20% discount on classic rewards….
Checked a few routes (KWI-DXB, KWI-BOS, KWI-YYZ). no changes on those routes yet.
Looks like redemptions + cash for OW in J from the West Coast to Middle East (I was searching for IST) through May stayed the same at 142.5K + $1250. 168.8K + $1250 in first. But, who actually redeems at these rates?
“Bah, Humbug!” — Emirates playing the part of Scrooge this Hanukkah/Christmas season.
The oncoming recession (we're probably already in a recession) will dampen pax demand. I don't like recessions, but global air travel will slow and airlines will lower their fares and absurd redemption rates. Travel demand was crazy during the past summer, but I think airlines are kidding themselves that business will be as good this coming summer. Consider that UA is asking 70K mi OW in cattle class to Europe these days 😉
Doesn’t make sense, KWI-BOS with connection in DXB is less miles than DXB-BOS same day!
Not sure how accurate is this or if it's just an error by Emirates. But just checked now IAD to DXB and it us with the old pricing.
It doesn't seem to be showing up for MEX-BCN, but on that route, Emirates wants 80k points + $146 vs Aeroplan at 70k points and $99, so I'd prefer to book with Aeroplan regardless
A useless program became even more useless.
The only good redemption is NYC-MXP/ATH at this point.
Damn. 20% is a lot. Anyone know if airline programs, Emirates or otherwise, have ever brought back down the price of awards after a devaluation?
I think you’re right about cash rates coming down as recession gets worse but…… I can’t remember ever seeing redemption rates being lowered!
When things are good they crap on their customers. I will have a nice glass of champagne and enjoy seeing these airlines lose billions of dollars in the next two years wondering where they went wrong
Emirates customer service also getting worst. I got yelled couple times then I had to call them with skywards credit card bank to get my skywards. Finally they admitted their mistake.
Very dissapointed with their skywards credit card. I had call them and go through all my transactions to received the skywards.
Worst customer service ever (used to be the best)
And, at the same time their customer service sucks. I wanted to purchase aF return to Dubai. For some reason their website every time switched my trp to start from Dubai. I tried to call their first class direct line. No answer for 40 minutes. I sent an e-mail, explained the situation, asking how can I buy the ticket. They answered after 9 days: Either online or by calling our first class direct line. I wrote to them, and explained that neither had worked, and that if I am paying more than 20.000$ for a ticket they can not expect me to wait for them to answer longer than 40 minutes. Now, they answered after 5 days: In order to help we need to have your ticket number. Hooray! Luckily AF had seats available.
I desagree with your comment "the good part is some markets didn't devaluated" That's NOT a good new.
A good news would have been "but some markets decreses the miles required" or "the good news is they are not charging huge taxes anymore for awards bookings"
We ONLY can see BAD news here. There ain't absolutley nothing good to tell here.
Backtracking of that type is anathema to the fragile egos of airlines execs. More likely they will offer points/miles sales with higher bonuses to effect a 'reduction' Or a reduction in carrier-imposed charges too.
Bunch of cheats. I have been a loyal member and just bought miles earlier this year as they advertised they were on sale. Now I see how they play this game . Bunch of Middle East cheats! Never again is my family going to fly these cheats!
We are, or now maybe were Loyal users of Emirates, and I remember not that many years ago all it cost was a few Dollars and 90K for a Business return DXB-DFW. We don't even bother with that routing anymore or use Emirates.
Actually, it looks like EWR-ATH / JFK MXP has gone up significantly for F. Where are you seeing that its staying flat?
EWR-ATH is now 160/320 for one way / round-trip
JFK-MXP is now 168.75/337.5
more than JFK/DXB, which is interesting.
I thought the 5th freedom flights used to cost like that amount round-trip. These are absurd amounts for such short flights.
"loyal" and users don't exactly go hand in hand. Err you a revenue passenger or transferring points? If the latter I think that they're happy to see you go
You are both right. As of now, the calculator shows the devalued rate, while the actual fare when booking is unchanged. Hope the calculator rate doesn’t stick though because it seems absurd.
That's absolute trash from Emirates. They got too cocky cause of revenge flying in 2022. They will soon realize people will stop flying F as much with points since taxes are $1k already. Also, no notice? Thats anti-customer.
Very disappointed with Emirates airlines. I wish I could take my accrued miles and switch to another airline company.
Nothing specific to "middle east" or "middle east cheats here". United and European carriers have been doing the same - aggressively selling miles, bigger earnings for status members, and progressively raising price.
Ive been flying with Emirates more than 2 decades but now its being disappointing because of their politics price have gone up sky awards have gone down no privilege
Thinking of moving to Qatar Airways which have got move opportunities for their loyal customers
Let's be honest, then they will have some sort of promotion to purchase miles at a 25% bonus or more for a transfer bonus from Amex or Chase. We have seen many transfer or points purchase bonuses recently, most of which are not exciting because either we have seen higher bonuses before OR because of such devaluation. This needs to be considered too. This is why credit card points are more valuable and people should consider other redemptions with their points.
Given this second devaluation, you may assume more are coming. Are there any airlines that you can transfer Emirates miles to (or even hotels) that may offer better value. Its getting like who wants to be first to the bottom to wipe out miles value - only so they can sell more to you as you may not now have enough.
It may be interesting to try and work out where the sweet spots are for redemptions. However, the downside is that if the airline reads that they are likely to increase those costs as well.
Emirates has always been a bad Frequent Flyer Program. They love to not credit miles. I am still waiting for a credit from Oct
But just like Dubai they are doing things to make going less and less appealing. Dubai hotels use to be reasonable. Now it’s cheaper to stay in the Maldives than Dubai.
Been EK Platinum for 6 years. Seen every possible benefit rolled back with minimal communication and at same time, seen prices increase and quality of service drop off considerably. No longer loyal to EK. Started flying AF, Cathay and Singapore.
It gets worse than this with Emirates. Rewards flights are one thing but also upgrading tickets (usually fairly responsible on flex fares) are now impossible. It’s either upgrade cash only at an eye watering amount or can’t upgrade with miles. It’s like they are shoe horning people into having to buy the reward flights at awful rates and dump a surcharge on them. All routes across various continents are the same where there is space available to upgrade but they would rather leave it empty than let their member use the rewards (unless of course you want to pay fully in cash)!
I bought a seat in November, upgrade using miles was showing 117,000 for 3 pax - bought a cash upgrade for the flight out to DXB and planned to use miles on the way home (if available) - they've gone and changed my ticket to 152,000 miles even though I'm on the same booking reference! Unbelievable. Complaint lodged but next to no hope of anything positive happening