Dubai: Starting January 1, 2010, Emirates will introduce a significant change of its Skywards frequent flier programme, the airline has announced.
Earning miles will be generally linked to the type of ticket in the future, with lower miles credits for cheaper and discounted tickets and greater benefits for travellers who pay higher fares. "We recognise the changes will affect Skywards members differently," an Emirates spokesperson said. "[But] we are confident that the enhancements will offer many opportunities to maximise miles."
Earning zones
Ten programme changes will come into effect on January 1. The rewards structure for miles will be depending on earning zones and miles will be credited upon reaching the final destination of the itinerary rather than per sector. Also, the upgrade rewards will be linked to the fare type, Emirates said. All fares flown on Emirates will be categorized in two types, "Skywards Saver" and "Skywards Flex" fares. While it will be possible to earn 100 per cent of base miles on Flex rates, a Saver ticket will result in only 50 per cent credit of base miles in the future. For Business and First Class tickets, bonuses will increase to 75 per cent and 150 per cent respectively. A special award programme called "miles accelerator" will offer separate bonuses.
Skywards will also move away from its fixed January to December calendar period. The new counting period will be over 13 months.
The changes take place to "better cater to the different needs of our loyal customers", the airline said. However, frequent flier blogs on the internet showed that not all customers appreciate the changes, as some said the programme has become "more complicated" and lacks incentives for travellers flying on cheaper tickets, even in business class.
Partner airlines
Skywards is a three tier frequent flier programme with around 5.72 million customers. Miles are also awarded for flights on partner airlines JAL, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Korean Air, South African Airways, United, Continental and Virgin Blue. Sri Lankan Airlines is no longer a member of Skywards.
As of now, it is not clear how the changes will affect collecting of miles with those partner airlines. Emirates said there "may be some changes" and it will keep its customers informed.
The Skysurfer programme, a special miles programme for holidaymakers, will undergo the same changes, Emirates said.
Dubai Representatives of the UAE civil aviation directorate yesterday signed a bilateral agreement on traffic rights to Serbia with authorities in Belgrade, Serbian newspaper Blic reported. Emirates is planning to use Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport as a regional hub for flights.
Serbian airline JAT can now operate flights through the Emirates to Australia and China, while Serbia will open its skies to UAE airlines. The agreement is not seen a temporary permit, Blic said. Emirates did not comment on the signing, saying that the agreement was officially signed between the two countries' aviation authorities.
Key changes
- Miles earned by fare type "Flex" or "Saver"
- 18 miles earning zones
- Miles credited upon reaching final destination rather than per sector
- Upgrade rewards linked to fare type
- 5,000 miles for Silver status and 50,000 for Gold unchanged, miles counted back for 13 months
- Increased cabin bonuses: 150 per cent for First Class and 75 per cent for Business Class
- Skywards Miles Accelerator introduced, offers special flight bonuses
