Change to EK staff travel
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Mana
You're missing the point. Sure, what we pay for a First ticket is a fraction of the cost but I'd guess that only about 5-7% of EK employees could avail of that perk anyway.
There are several issues here. Firstly, Cat A subload fares have risen around 20-30%. I don't think actual full fares have risen that much so why the large increase. An extra 70 dirhams to Europe may not seem much but when you're a family of five and you add the return fare, that's suddenly an EXTRA 700 dirhams.
Secondly, the majority of EK staff are expats. It's obvious therefore how important staff travel is to most. You only have to read the comments on the staff travel website to realise that many accept a lower pay in compensation for rebated staff travel. Many relied on cat 99 and wider eligibility tickets for visiting families. This has been replaced by a supposedly improved system offering greater flexibility. The principle is great, the reality is less so. Why would you book these 'special' tickets knowing that a simple visit to Emirates.com will achieve cheaper results! Staff friends are being charged MORE than the public. Calling it absurd is an understatement.
Which leads me onto the final issue. Why send that announcement from HH to tell us what a wonderful job has been done by ST and it's a reward for our loyalty and commitment. Really? Either he's not aware that we've just had a reduction in benefits or he's treating the staff as ignorant fools. I doubt it's the latter so something's gone horribly wrong somewhere.
Staff travel is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep moral of an airlines workforce high. Screw that up and things will go rapidly down hill, guaranteed!
Harry
You're missing the point. Sure, what we pay for a First ticket is a fraction of the cost but I'd guess that only about 5-7% of EK employees could avail of that perk anyway.
There are several issues here. Firstly, Cat A subload fares have risen around 20-30%. I don't think actual full fares have risen that much so why the large increase. An extra 70 dirhams to Europe may not seem much but when you're a family of five and you add the return fare, that's suddenly an EXTRA 700 dirhams.
Secondly, the majority of EK staff are expats. It's obvious therefore how important staff travel is to most. You only have to read the comments on the staff travel website to realise that many accept a lower pay in compensation for rebated staff travel. Many relied on cat 99 and wider eligibility tickets for visiting families. This has been replaced by a supposedly improved system offering greater flexibility. The principle is great, the reality is less so. Why would you book these 'special' tickets knowing that a simple visit to Emirates.com will achieve cheaper results! Staff friends are being charged MORE than the public. Calling it absurd is an understatement.
Which leads me onto the final issue. Why send that announcement from HH to tell us what a wonderful job has been done by ST and it's a reward for our loyalty and commitment. Really? Either he's not aware that we've just had a reduction in benefits or he's treating the staff as ignorant fools. I doubt it's the latter so something's gone horribly wrong somewhere.
Staff travel is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep moral of an airlines workforce high. Screw that up and things will go rapidly down hill, guaranteed!
Harry
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When you consider that half of Kerala is in Dubai, it is a little suspicious that the following has happened:
Now, maybe I have missed something in the news but I don't recall the southern half of India being subject to a massive earthquake that has moved it closer to Dubai? Or perhaps it's just the head wobblers manipulating the system for their own gain - as they always do! 
BLR, CCJ, CMB & COK previously in Group 4 have been moved to Group 3, effective 19 January 2014.
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The quote is wrong for the Ozzie Cat A sub flights in First. They are now about 2300 drm return, previously about 1800.
The "special fares" have drastically increased the wider eligibility fares for extended family. It's now about 3500 drm return from OZ in ECON for an adult. Previous Wider E was much cheaper. Nothing special about it...
The "special fares" have drastically increased the wider eligibility fares for extended family. It's now about 3500 drm return from OZ in ECON for an adult. Previous Wider E was much cheaper. Nothing special about it...
short flights long nights
You can buy a normal ECON return airfare from Oz for cheaper than that!
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The cynic in me views it like this....
Hypothetically speaking of course.
It's bad news hidden amongst a supposed bunch of good news, a variation of the good old bait and switch.
The good news? a better user interface, special family and friends fares for all!
The real intent, removal of most WE and CAT99 fares along with a 20-30% increase for CAT A's.
The intended outcome, no more having to issue WE or CAT99 fares, increased revenue from CAT A's and of course more revenue from friends and family who use due diligence and book a fare via www or are careless and pay too much for the special fares.
The reality as I see it. Staff using fly zed etc etc and other carriers, disenchantment, poorer levels of customer service, damage to the brand and of course higher levels of turnover....which compounds the issue.
But that's merely a cynical view.
Hypothetically speaking of course.
It's bad news hidden amongst a supposed bunch of good news, a variation of the good old bait and switch.
The good news? a better user interface, special family and friends fares for all!
The real intent, removal of most WE and CAT99 fares along with a 20-30% increase for CAT A's.
The intended outcome, no more having to issue WE or CAT99 fares, increased revenue from CAT A's and of course more revenue from friends and family who use due diligence and book a fare via www or are careless and pay too much for the special fares.
The reality as I see it. Staff using fly zed etc etc and other carriers, disenchantment, poorer levels of customer service, damage to the brand and of course higher levels of turnover....which compounds the issue.
But that's merely a cynical view.
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Miller/OnceBitten
Thank you.
I shall not bother editing, merely hang my head in shame. Hard to believe I got an A level in English. I Blame it on the emotion of it all! 
Harry
Thank you.
I shall not bother editing, merely hang my head in shame. Hard to believe I got an A level in English. I Blame it on the emotion of it all! Harry
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Merry Christmas from EK
Thought I'd been here long enough to be immune to ek smoke screens and hype, but when I contacted my friends about the new "special" fares *cough* I became an instant laughing stock
Hadn't checked a full fare ticket in years. As it turns out, the special fares are in fact a rip off. Even more of a rip off when you factor in all the catches and conditions, in taking what is in effect a Cat C ticket
The smoke screen after a light breeze: eliminate Cat99, WE price gets doubled, Cat A up 20-30% & Cat C now even harder to get
This is a whole new level of patronisation
Hadn't checked a full fare ticket in years. As it turns out, the special fares are in fact a rip off. Even more of a rip off when you factor in all the catches and conditions, in taking what is in effect a Cat C ticket
The smoke screen after a light breeze: eliminate Cat99, WE price gets doubled, Cat A up 20-30% & Cat C now even harder to get
This is a whole new level of patronisation
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I just booked Cat C firm for myself and Mrs Bananas for mid Feb and the system accepted it.
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Don't panic...
Avail the new cheaper flights to Kerala which has now moved to Zone 3.
Avail the seismic shifts that have occurred.
I guarantee a holiday to remember - and that's before you have cleared Customs.
Avail the seismic shifts that have occurred.
I guarantee a holiday to remember - and that's before you have cleared Customs.
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I remember being told by someone in management that they were shocked by how much revenue Emirates makes from staff travel... and that was two or three years back. Looks like they've decided to really milk that cash cow.
Beady Eye
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DXD-LHR return
Just did a quick google search and found expedia.com
DXB-LHR 14 July 2014 RETURN 31 July 2014
Tickets were as low as 501.36USD = 1841.24AED
EK was around 1000USD admittedly, but you have to factor in:
Any Korean GR2 can report your friend for raising his voice and sponsors staff travel will come under review
Same conditions as Cat C with regard offload, dress code, etc
DXB-LHR 14 July 2014 RETURN 31 July 2014
Tickets were as low as 501.36USD = 1841.24AED
EK was around 1000USD admittedly, but you have to factor in:
Any Korean GR2 can report your friend for raising his voice and sponsors staff travel will come under review
Same conditions as Cat C with regard offload, dress code, etc
Last edited by Christmas Beetle; 21st Jan 2014 at 05:12.
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Been doing some tests with emirates.com and our new special tickets.
On average, special tickets (staff tickets) are 25% more expensive than emirates.com commercial fares.
How is this possible??? Check the announcement website on the group intranet, is full of comments regarding the issue.
On average, special tickets (staff tickets) are 25% more expensive than emirates.com commercial fares.
How is this possible??? Check the announcement website on the group intranet, is full of comments regarding the issue.
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9th - Granted its an extra 1k AED roughly but what about the skywards mileage accrual that you will get, that fare will go down closer to the time - around 42 days before is the optimum time. If you book on EK now it will be more expensive than say 2 months before hand give or take
Lest we not forget that if you're on full fare you will get treated as such, being on "special" fare you'll still be considered STF so they'll treat you as so.
Last time I flew on an ID ticket I was treated like garbage in comparison so I'd pay the extra 1k AED all day long.
Lest we not forget that if you're on full fare you will get treated as such, being on "special" fare you'll still be considered STF so they'll treat you as so.
Last time I flew on an ID ticket I was treated like garbage in comparison so I'd pay the extra 1k AED all day long.
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My way of dealing with it is to NEVER fly Emirates staff travel or full fare.
Usually the full fare economy with any european airline ( KLM , Air France , Austrian etc.. ) cost almost half of the full economy fare with Emirates and the staff travel is just a little bit cheaper ( around 400 to 500 Dhrs ) BUT with the full fare I am treated as a customer and I am sure to travel....
If everybody was doing the same , maybe things would change....
Usually the full fare economy with any european airline ( KLM , Air France , Austrian etc.. ) cost almost half of the full economy fare with Emirates and the staff travel is just a little bit cheaper ( around 400 to 500 Dhrs ) BUT with the full fare I am treated as a customer and I am sure to travel....
If everybody was doing the same , maybe things would change....
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DG - My last trip to Far east, took CX. Full fare with them for 2 in J was 12k AED. EK wanted 20k.
Next month, North America for 2 in J, EK want 48k AED, CX want 22. So why on earth would I pay "special" fares for J for 2 or even possibility of waiting at for a flight for 2 days when I have a confirmed seat, get miles, lounge access and get treated well and not like garbage by those because I'm traveling on a ticket as STF.
Next month, North America for 2 in J, EK want 48k AED, CX want 22. So why on earth would I pay "special" fares for J for 2 or even possibility of waiting at for a flight for 2 days when I have a confirmed seat, get miles, lounge access and get treated well and not like garbage by those because I'm traveling on a ticket as STF.