Skywards Gold Shabby changes by Emirates

[benjamin1]

Emirates continues to erode their SKYWARDS frequent flyer program. NOW, AND AT VERY SHORT NOTICE, Emirates has changed their lounge access arrangements for Skywards Gold Members. This is based on overcrowding at Dubai lounge. The lounges that I use at Sydney and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) are always at least 95% empty. Sometimes I am the only person in the lounge!
I am very, very, disappointed that the most loyal of Emirates customers (Skywards Gold Members) are being treated in such a shabby manner.
It was only 2 weeks ago that Emirates sent out emails with a link for Skywards members to vote for Skywards in a survey of the best Airlines Frequent Flyer programs.
Loyalty should be two-way, but I feel very let down by Emirates. I will no longer be chasing Emirates flights to maintain my Gold Membership, and I will shop around for more alternatives.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF, I take it you are unahppy with the guesting arrangements that were changed?

 

[serfty]

They are not too happy about it on FT either:

• Golds: No longer allowed lounge guest in economy - FlyerTalk Forums

We regret that until these new facilities are ready we must temporarily suspend the benefit of bringing a guest into the Lounges when travelling in Economy Class. This will be effective from 15 April 2011 in all lounges across the network. When travelling in Business or First Class, you can continue to invite one guest who is departing on the same Emirates flight.

 

[anat0l]

At least they have said the measure is 'temporary'.

If they never reinstate the benefit then you have every right to raise Hell, with interest due.

It is a rather unusual situation (i.e. a FFP top elite not being able to guest anyone, cf. a premium passenger (i.e. J or F, with no elite FFP status) not being able to guest).

 

[samh004]

At least it’s not just Qantas getting a bad rap from their FF’s.

Agree with anat0l though, temporary measure is fine, so long as you do eventually get to guest again and there is a time frame that isn’t forever.

 

[clifford]

Agree with anat0l though, temporary measure is fine, so long as you do eventually get to guest again and there is a time frame that isn’t forever.

Well, you're either very gullible or very diplomatic.

Either way, this benefit isn't going to return. You know that, and I know that.

Just as well I'm Star Alliance and One-world gold too.

And you are making these profound statements. Are you in any way associated with EK, or are you merely grandstanding?

 

[anat0l]

Well, you're either very gullible or very diplomatic.

Either way, this benefit isn't going to return. You know that, and I know that.

Just as well I'm Star Alliance and One-world gold too.

And you are making these profound statements. Are you in any way associated with EK, or are you merely grandstanding?

Not affiliated with them at all. I wish I had an affiliation with some airline, that'd help a bit on a few fronts. Maybe I'll marry into it (just kidding)...

But I honestly don't know if the benefit will return or not. It's not like it was worded like the QF change where the latter simply said, "from now on, this is it". EK did say 'temporarily suspend'. It will be to their greater detriment - period - if they do not intend to reinstate this benefit or put a much better one in its place after all of its constructions are finished.

I wouldn't say this is a good situation (firstly lounges crowded obviously due to market oversight and then having privileges removed even if temporarily), but there is no explicit conclusion to be made that the benefit is gone forever. However, EK take a huge risk if they do not timely reinstate it, because their wording makes it seem it will be back.

 

[thewinchester]

Agree with anat0l though, temporary measure is fine, so long as you do eventually get to guest again and there is a time frame that isn’t forever.

Well, you're either very gullible or very diplomatic.

Either way, this benefit isn't going to return. You know that, and I know that.

Just as well I'm Star Alliance and One-world gold too.

And you are making these profound statements. Are you in any way associated with EK, or are you merely grandstanding?

I would contend that he was simply giving them the benefit of the doubt.

The unfounded accusation claiming that he's associated with an airline just because his views disagree with yours is rather poor form.

 

[samh004]

And you are making these profound statements. Are you in any way associated with EK, or are you merely grandstanding?

Yes, you got me. I say I’m a poor student but I’m actually a fairly high up exec with Emirates. I get paid millions of dollars a year and I was just trying to blend in on this board.

This is all a lie of course, but if you’re going to wear the tinfoil hat, this is what you get.

 

[clifford]

I wouldn't say this is a good situation (firstly lounges crowded obviously due to market oversight and then having privileges removed even if temporarily), but there is no explicit conclusion to be made that the benefit is gone forever. However, EK take a huge risk if they do not timely reinstate it, because their wording makes it seem it will be back.

Sorry if I offended you, it wasn't intentional. Not impressed by others butting in though.

Emirates is a very large airline in an Arabic country, that makes billions of dollars a year in profits. I don't think they give a rat's cough about what a few disadvantaged frequent flyers might think.

But it might also be more useful if people who commented were actual EK FF's.

Just my thoughts.

 

[eightblack]

In my humble opinion, you wont see any re-instatement of benefits for at least 2-years. The new terminal in Dubai is at least that far away.

EK is battling a few fronts. One is impressive growth and high load factors. The other issue will be the quantity of A380 airframes they will receive this year and next (3 this year and up to 11 next year).

T3 at Dubai is already groaning under the weight of the sheer volume of passengers - and the J lounge was getting to the point where something had to be done. If it was me, I would have eliminated lounge benefits for Silvers completely, and turned the Lounge at Gate 122 into a dedicated Gold lounge (with guests). They could have then made the J lounge for J pax only (regardless of status).

They also have the F lounge. It is the same size as the J lounge and is practically empty, even during peak hour. I spent 2 solid days there last week.

Until they make a concession where they allow a subset of Golds (ie 100,000 tier miles and above or similar) or introduce a 4th tier which then allows F lounge access in DXB only, then I can assure you things are going to get worse before they get better.

 

[clifford]

If it was me, I would have eliminated lounge benefits for Silvers completely, and turned the Lounge at Gate 122 into a dedicated Gold lounge (with guests). They could have then made the J lounge for J pax only (regardless of status).

That would have been an excellent move, but as usual EK has fluffed it. I absolutely hate that J class lounge in T3 and won't ever go near it again (so there's one less for a start). The T1 lounge is much much nicer, but they won't let me in because it's reserved for the lower orders (and F/J pax of course).

So what to do at DXB (I'll be there in the morning)? As a proud owner of a Priority Pass and a Diners Card, the options are quite substantial, but, barring accidents, I will be going into the "First Class" lounge in T1, where I will be treated like a human being that pays his way, and not an anonymous member of a cattle car bound for the slaughter.

And on another, related, EK blunder, the banning of spouses (and others) from their lounges, I have got around this by upgrading my wife when she travels with me. She mightn't like it, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Sprucegoose]

At least they have said the measure is 'temporary'.


It is a rather unusual situation (i.e. a FFP top elite not being able to guest anyone, cf. a premium passenger (i.e. J or F, with no elite FFP status) not being able to guest).

Income tax was a temporary measure as well!

 

[thewinchester]

And you are making these profound statements. Are you in any way associated with EK, or are you merely grandstanding?

Christ almighty. Can no-one express an opinion here any more without being called a lapdog of company XYZ.

Go sit in the corner clifford, that's uncalled for.

 

[Extasea33]

I am not against these changes. The lounge is so busy you might as well be in with the general population.

 

[Moopere]

I must say, I really don't get where airlines come from when they do stuff like this. Temporary or not, they are damaging their brand.

Perhaps I view it all to simplistically. Doesn't the argument go something like:

- Set a measure whereby loyalty is financially beneficial enough to the airline that some re-investment towards the customer can be afforded (ie, lounge access + other FF benefits)

- The more people that reach this pre-set level the more profitable you are

- If a _very_ large number of people hit this level then you are doing extremely well, profitability wise, and reinvestment in maintaining customer loyalty should be one of your highest priorities..... surely no-one wants to shed loyal paying customers??

So, if thats even a bit right, you see the numbers of your elites growing strongly, get pretty happy about the squillion dollars you are making and build more lounge space? Before it becomes a big issue obviously.

 

[clifford]

It's not how it works in the Arabic world.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

It's not how it works in the Arabic world.

How does it work in the Arabic world?

 

[clifford]

How does it work in the Arabic world?

Perhaps you should go there and find out for yourself.

 

[Zulaiha]

Interesting reading

Etihad doing the same