Emirates restricts first class awards to elite members only

[anat0l]

Yes, apologies I meant favourable 2:1 compared to the current 3:1 transfer rate

Not only do you burn a lot of MR points but you still get whacked with HUGE taxes and charges

...and you still need to earn the EK status (at least Silver).

 

[iamsuperandrew]

...and you still need to earn the EK status (at least Silver).

Fingers crossed QF still has access to F rewards

 

[am0985]

Sadly it would seem to make sense they'd limit QFF.

If it was Velocity in this situation then I could potentially see them keeping it because it's AFAIK not a significant points transfer currency from US cards.

But QFF points are transferable from US Amex so the US TikTok influencers would just tell their viewers to transfer to this instead. Would make even less sense for EK if anything.

Best we can hope for is SYD - CHC being an exception given the low F loads on this route. I could see this happening.

 

[jase05]

I guess EK also have the option of blocking partner F awards on all routes until 10 days out of something

 

[iamsuperandrew]

Sadly it would seem to make sense they'd limit QFF.

If it was Velocity in this situation then I could potentially see them keeping it because it's AFAIK not a significant points transfer currency from US cards.

But QFF points are transferable from US Amex so the US TikTok influencers would just tell their viewers to transfer to this instead. Would make even less sense for EK if anything.

Best we can hope for is SYD - CHC being an exception given the low F loads on this route. I could see this happening.

That leads to my next question, I have an J flight and wife is in F on the SYD-CHC route using QFF, whats the options/ chances to upgrade myself to F?

Post automatically merged: Today at 11:18 AM

I guess EK also have the option of blocking partner F awards on all routes until 10 days out of something

Basically what EY has done, does make sense

 

[justinbrett]

Sadly it would seem to make sense they'd limit QFF.

If it was Velocity in this situation then I could potentially see them keeping it because it's AFAIK not a significant points transfer currency from US cards.

But QFF points are transferable from US Amex so the US TikTok influencers would just tell their viewers to transfer to this instead. Would make even less sense for EK if anything.

Best we can hope for is SYD - CHC being an exception given the low F loads on this route. I could see this happening.

QF has the technical ability to limit it to WPs etc if that’s what EK wishes. Or EK just limits a certain percentage of rewards to partners.

With the VA/QR tie up getting closer it will be telling to see which way this goes. If EK makes special allowances for QF members I think that shows they want to keep the airlines close, if it disappears I think that’s just one step further towards QF going it alone. That in context with Sunrise and the expanded Euro partnerships is not out of the question.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

I did see a reference above regarding US card holders transferring to Skywards. Couldnt EK just increase the transfer rate to 3:1 like they did with AMEX AU?

 

[am0985]

QF has the technical ability to limit it to WPs etc if that’s what EK wishes. Or EK just limits a certain percentage of rewards to partners.

With the VA/QR tie up getting closer it will be telling to see which way this goes. If EK makes special allowances for QF members I think that shows they want to keep the airlines close, if it disappears I think that’s just one step further towards QF going it alone. That in context with Sunrise and the expanded Euro partnerships is not out of the question.

I'm sure they can technically update the software to do most things but it'd be a step change in how any other rewards were dealt with. Apart from QFF metal every single other seat is just as accessible to Bronze as to Platinum.

It'd also likely need a reciprocal arrangement eg EK top tier elites to access QF rewards at 1 year out which I can't see happening

 

[justinbrett]

I'm sure they can technically update the software to do most things but it'd be a step change in how any other rewards were dealt with. Apart from QFF metal every single other seat is just as accessible to Bronze as to Platinum.

It'd also likely need a reciprocal arrangement eg EK top tier elites to access QF rewards at 1 year out which I can't see happening

But that’s just it, they already do it for their own metal so I don’t think it would require an update. And even if it did, low tech solution make it bookable via phone only. There’s nothing in the QF rules that prevent them from doing this.

QF F is available to partners just see all the American YouTubers making videos about it. There’s just not many F seats to start with, unlike EK which has many orders of magnitude more.

I’m not saying it will happen I’m just saying if it doesn’t it’s not a technical limitation.

 

[levelnine]

I did see a reference above regarding US card holders transferring to Skywards. Couldnt EK just increase the transfer rate to 3:1 like they did with AMEX AU?

US credit card points have a floor value of USD 1c/pt (AUD 1.55c/pt) because they can generally be cashed out for at least that amount. If the value of an airline's points drop below that amount, all transfers cease — you just cash out instead. That's different from Australia where there is no easy cash-out option — Australians have to suck up the transfer rate no matter how low it goes.

And Emirates still wants people transferring points for Y and J redemptions — they have plenty of spare seats available in those classes, especially Y. It's only in F where demand for redemptions far exceed supply, especially to/from North America.

 

[Zanzaid]

Saw the email come through from AFF then also saw FlightHacks report that QF still get access on facebook.

The Qantas media team has just confirmed to Flight Hacks that Qantas Frequent Flyers will not be affected by these changes. Here’s the quote:

“…For background, these changes relate specifically to Emirates’ own Skywards program members. Qantas Frequent Flyers continue to have access to First Class reward seats on Emirates. Emirates is one of over 45 partners in our program, and we saw the number of Classic Reward seats made available through our airline partners increase by nearly a third last year.”

Qantas Will Still Get Access To Emirates First Class Awards

Breaking: Qantas Frequent Flyers will still have access to Emirates First Class award space after May 12th 2025.

flighthacks.com.au

 

[moa999]

Also ET

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/emirates-first-class-qantas-points

 

[aaa99]

Whoops. Maybe didn't need to panic buy like I just did after all

 

[levelnine]

The change now makes close to no sense. US credit card churners will just transfer to QF to redeem for EK F now.

A non-elite now has more access to EK award seats through a non-EK program than through EK's own award program.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Are you shocked ? wow not sure why you would be

"Best customers" pretty sure Silver are not the "best customers"

One return flight AU-EU gets you silver, so about $10,000 in spend...

$10,000 spend puts you in the top 5% of flyers globally.
If that $10,000 is business class, it puts you in the top 2%.

Any EK status matches going on?

statusmatch.com will do EK Silver

 

[moa999]

US credit card churners will just transfer to QF to redeem for EK F now.

Is QFF accessible to most US programs?

 

[aaa99]

Just noticed that for a date in March next year...
Qantas still showing first class availability.


Whereas Skywards throws an error when searching for First Class


And it seems to load business class availability fine. So, it must an exemption for Emirates skywards specifically?


Also, showing availability on Aeroplan (that award pricing is ridiculous!)

 

[lovestotravel]

The change now makes close to no sense. US credit card churners will just transfer to QF to redeem for EK F now.

A non-elite now has more access to EK award seats through a non-EK program than through EK's own award program.

Agree, but not sure that many people will do it

 

[levelnine]

Is QFF accessible to most US programs?

Yes

 

[am0985]

Agree, but not sure that many people will do it

A decade ago you'd be right.

Now it will spread like wildfire on TikTok and the blogs.

I mean the blogs are one thing, if we're on AFF we use the blogs too. We usually go searching specifically for this stuff, it stays a little more niche.

But the TikTok generation are insufferable. They won't have any pre existing interest but the video will pop up on their feed and they'll suddenly decide they want it.