APC 20% increase in membership fees.

[Big Enos Burdette]

So from the 1st January, APC will be increasing their fees by a whopping 20%.
I can't really see how such a massive increase can be justified.
I've found myself using the EK Platinum card for most discounts as it's usually equal to, or better than, the APC offers, and using the Platinum Club membership for beach clubs.

Don't think I'll be renewing APC at the end of the year.

[my salami]

Same on my side...
It's a shame but I think the time has come to pull the plug..

MS

[Ketek400]

Perhaps less members at APC could mean a better service. Platinum takes care of discounts and APC becomes an exclusive club membership service. Almost guaranteed entry etc. ;)

[Yorkshire_Pudding]

20% increase for VAT and inflation! Hope this isn't a reflection of general price increases across Dubai from January.

[Kobus Dune]

Why 20 % ? and not 17 % ? or 22 ? was it decided on a table corner at coffee time ?

And they apparently mention a possible move from their office at Fairmont Hotel (you know, the unparkable area) in "members best interest" - in clear English : we can no longer afford the rent and we have to move away. Fortunately, plenty of empty space in Dubaï now ( Oasis Mall is a graveyard of shops " another exciting business coming soon " )
It would be great - parking underground, a couple of shops around...
I'm not sure I will renew this year.
Probably we will receive soon - as last year, same period - a mail from the top board telling us :
" don't believe rumors "
" we are here to help "
"we have no links to financial businesses "

[fatbus]

Pockets being lined!

[The Outlaw]

I won't be renewing.

The greed is beyond reproach and I hardly use the benefits anyway.

Like everything else in Dubai, they'll keep jacking up the rates until the whole thing implodes.

Nothing new really.

[Kobus Dune]

" we will become cardless "

In clear : we will take your money, and you will get nothing physical from us ... everything will be virtual - until one day, psschhitt

[PositiveRate876]

When I joined, APC (then EPC) cost 50 dirhams a month.
You never had any issues getting into a club, and the bikes down route well maintained. We've switched to Platinum Club couple of years ago, because of the greed and arrogance of APC management. Very happy with Platinum at half the cost.


Just out of curiosity, how much is the membership going to be from January?

[Besser]

2018 APC Membership Fees
Annual Fees
· 1440 AED per year for a single membership
· 2880 AED per year for a couple/family membership

Monthly Fees
· 125 AED per month for a single membership (120 AED + 5 AED Bank Charges)
· 245 AED per month for a couple/family membership (240 AED + 5 AED Bank Charges)

Yours Sincerely,
APC Committee

I'm shocked really.... ridicules raise.
I will stick to my platinium instead.

[Besser]

Check out aviation professionals club facebook page....talking about pissed off members...

[cyzv]

Check out aviation professionals club facebook page....talking about pissed off members...

They conveniently removed all the complaining threads...

[g109]

Guys, I have reason to believe APC is in severe financial trouble, I'd be surprised if they will still be around at the end of this year

[pilotguy1222]

Surprised to see that so many people are still members. I stayed away when it when from EPC to APC. I am happy with my Platinum card.
I would rather have a FACE card.

[Praise Jebus]

G109 big call there. Whilst I'm not a big fan of APC since it lost the E, I would caution against statements like that without supporting evidence.

[fatbus]

Just ask some ex board members. You might be shocked.

[alwayzinit]

Personally I would love to see the accounts for this outfit.
The amount of money pouring into it is breathtaking.
I have absolutely no evidence, however, something simply does not add up, from a fag packet calculation.
We will not be renewing either.

[Divertnow]

I must be nuts 😂. I don’t see the justification for the 20% increase over say 7-10% but I won’t be leaving APC just yet. Whilst I don’t get to the beach clubs as often as I would like I still manage a couple of days a month and even one trip to the Ritz with the family would be more than twice the cost for a months membership so surely it’s still worth the fee? Platinum is a ball ache given only the primary card holder can access alone.
My two cents.

[sealear]

wow, I was thinking of switching from platinum to APC next year. I guess not.

[Mullah Kintyre]

because of the greed and arrogance of APC management

The greed is beyond reproach

Who is greedy? Where is the greed? Isn't it a non-profit organisation run by volunteers? I don't see where greed fits in.

Please elaborate on who is greedy and in what way.

[fliion]

A quick back of the envelope.

There are 4800 members. Let's say half are family, half single. 1440+2880= 4320/2 = 2160*4800=

10,368,000 in annual dues.

Okay those numbers could be plus or minus a couple of million.

No one is suggesting there is anything untoward going on BUT it is essential that complete and full transparency in annual accounts was sent to every member with that increase notice.

Further - not sure how long that lease is on Fairmont - but wouldn't the best location be that which is located closest to the main concentration of pilots - i.e. Meydan/DSO..not to mention price

C'mon APC, if you are going to ask for a 20% increase - you need to attach a detailed financial explanation & do a better job of explaining how this all works in a way that serves us - the members.

And no - attending the AGM won't do.

[shakealeg]

So just checked Ritz Carlton couple. It's 37000 vs EPC 2880. And thats just one club. Go for it guys. I think you're losing the plot.

[WB1900]

Who is greedy? Where is the greed? Isn't it a non-profit organisation run by volunteers? I don't see where greed fits in.

Please elaborate on who is greedy and in what way.


Who is greedy
1st the clubs APC has partnership with, unless that there is no reason that frequent contract renewals are required. these partners want to drive the prices up year by year


Why is APC still in Fairmont, most rents in the last years had a contract only for one year (was usually difficult to get for more), because landlords are greedy and wanted the chance to increase the rent year by year. on the other hand it is since 2 years clear that the majority of pilots will be living in Medyan the one and the other one, or DSO


I heard a rumor that the nice ladies in the office makeing AED 25.000 plus a month, can't confirm it, but it's a rumor. that's to part with the voluteering work. I don't know what the IT costs are to manage all those card readers. understandable enough that nobody will sit in an office the entire day for nothing, but that amount - seriously?

[Emma Royds]

So just checked Ritz Carlton couple. It's 37000 vs EPC 2880. And thats just one club. Go for it guys. I think you're losing the plot.

The numbers are not the issue here and as fliion has said already, it is the lack of transparency.

How would you feel if you went into a car garage for a service and they said the cost of parts has gone up by 10%, so as a result we are going to charge you 20% more? No one likes being taken for a ride!

The issue here is that APC have not told us what they estimate VAT, inflation plus any other costs to be, which is supported with a detailed and reasonable explanation. The 20% seems to be nothing more than a figure plucked from thin air, since they have failed to justify it otherwise.

[jack schidt]

I left EPC many years ago when I knew of members money being wasted by a board member to pay for "expenses". Eating out and drinking fine beverages on the members money instantly made me want to resign my membership.

I left several years ago, I had a low membership number. As a non golfer I couldn't justify paying for what was becoming primarily a golf club membership card. Most restaurants now take Platinum over E/APC and the value of Platinum far outweighs APC in both cost and outlets.

Members have very little control on what the funds are spent on and the clubs finances are certainly not transparent.

J

[CaptainChipotle]

G109 big call there. Whilst I'm not a big fan of APC since it lost the E, I would caution against statements like that without supporting evidence.

Yes I would caution against statements without supporting evidence on a professional pilots RUMOR network.


Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[QNHbox]

Why are they doing this?
Simply because they think they can.
No control, no transparency, no rules.
20% up, why not?.... Well, I really hope it will backfire

[Kobus Dune]

Guys, I have reason to believe APC is in severe financial trouble, I'd be surprised if they will still be around at the end of this year

So the reason for becoming cardless ? going out of business, press "delete" on a computer, and that is, no more entrances or discount instantly as in any case you had nothing in your pocket ...

[Fugazi]

How about the EK Pilot's start a new Pilots club??? Cheap as we can make it. Just beach access, which also covers gyms, and golf club discounts. Platinum for all other discounts. And just EK crew. Minimum paid staff. Office location, if any, to suit the majority of EK accomodation locations. And complete transparency. What do you think boys and girls? Would enough be interested? Think its time that the majority of us break from APC.

[Eau de Boeing]

Have a look on Emirates Pilots Wives Husbands FB group, there's a good thread on there about it.

[outboundjetsetter]

what a shame! I've been a member for 11 years.. not all of us work at EK.. even if we are in the EK group! my single membership was 650/ year in 2006.. i just can't accept the new increase today, and the lack of transparency as quoted.. where is the line in the sand.. if you really are not for profit!? ... i will miss my favourite gym but nothing else.. maybe you wanted less members? if so I'm sure this will be the case! good luck APC i will not be renewing i hope you have competition which is not just the Platinum card as that is what you and the rest of us really need!

[kcar]

Membership fees equal to somewhere close to AED 6 million a year already. Something is not right here.

[alwayzinit]

HMM, FP.
Getting to the AGM is all well and good for those who do not spend most of their time out of Dubai.
The accounts could be easily displayed via a secure link from the club website.
Whats to hide?

[fatbus]

Platinum shut down with out pilots, that's the best joke of the day.

[fliion]

Transparency - go to the AGM and ask about the books and financial reports. Refusing to go to the meeting and complaining on here instead is not only petulant and grossly ignorant it's also a waste of time. If you really can't be bothered doing your miniscule club duty by attending an AGM then form a delegation and approach them in the office - politely - with advance notice. Pretty simple really.

If you want greed look no further than the company's platinum card (whose management do their best to bring about the downfall of the club) as well as those club members who greedily take the best of both worlds and support the company's profit based card. Sorry but the truth hurts.

The company wants to make a profit with their card. If all the pilots stopped supporting the platinum card it would be shut down overnight. Amazing how everyone hates the company so much but still gives them their hard earned to help them shut down the club bit by bit.

“Petulant and grossly ignorant”

It’s exactly that agreessive defensiveness that makes people really start to wonder.

Then you go on to counsel politeness

Ffs

[Emma Royds]

Transparency - go to the AGM and ask about the books and financial reports. Refusing to go to the meeting and complaining on here instead is not only petulant and grossly ignorant it's also a waste of time. If you really can't be bothered doing your miniscule club duty by attending an AGM then form a delegation and approach them in the office - politely - with advance notice. Pretty simple really.

If you want greed look no further than the company's platinum card (whose management do their best to bring about the downfall of the club) as well as those club members who greedily take the best of both worlds and support the company's profit based card. Sorry but the truth hurts.

The company wants to make a profit with their card. If all the pilots stopped supporting the platinum card it would be shut down overnight. Amazing how everyone hates the company so much but still gives them their hard earned to help them shut down the club bit by bit.

I personally can't remember the last time I was in Dubai for the AGM due to the roster and I certainly won't be the only one. That aside though, why should there be a game of 'cat and mouse' for such information, when a significant number will be unable to attend the AGM every year, due to the roster?

Comparing the APC to the Platinum Card is like comparing apples and oranges, as the latter is run by a company where there is little compunction when advantage is taken of their own staff to benefit the bottom line. However APC is a club run by fellow pilots, who hold positions with a mandate to safeguard our interests and oversee that the funds we invest, are spent wisely and appropriately. To say that the dichotomy between the two is significant, is an understatement.

Those in influential positions within the APC know that there is a noticeable degree of discontent amongst a number of its membership, after the last email. Despite this discontent being palpable, there has been no subsequent communication to engage with us and provide clarity as to why this decision has been taken. The modus operandi of burying ones head in the sand, which we see all too often in this part of the world, seems to have been adopted. The saying 'a little goes a long way' is appropriate here. A selection of a few but well chosen words to all members to alleviate the situation, would help make significant inroads into restoring the confidence and optimism in APC, that seems to have been eroded for a number of members.

[puff m'call]

Get real muppets, less than a coffee at a beach club! Go and enjoy the benefits.

I agree though, why the expensive office, it's not required.