Emirates adds fuel surcharges to Skywards reward tickets
By David Flynn, March 26 2013
The cost of those 'free' reward flights with Emirates just got more expensive, with the airline adding a fuel surcharge to reward flights made using Skywards points from March 31, 2013.
Travellers will be able to pay the surcharge "with cash or Skywards Miles"< Emirates has advised Skywards members. "The surcharge will be displayed as part of the taxes payable on your reward ticket and will be aligned to the surcharge applicable on commercial tickets."
The airline claims that while surcharges have previously been excluded from Emirates Skywards reward tickets, "given the volatility of the fuel price, it is no longer possible for Emirates to absorb this cost on Skywards Reward tickets."
This is the second major change to Emirates' Skywards frequent flyer program in a fortnight.
Last week saw an increase in the number of Skywards miles needed to claim free reward flights or upgrades for itineraries starting from Australia, although this was accompnied by a boost to the number of Skywards Miles earned for flights out Australia.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
It's hard to believe that Qantas didn't put them up to this, maybe during the QF-EK meetings somebody from QFF said to their opposite number at EK "You guys don't have a fuel surcharge to reward tickets? Why not? We've got one!" and bingo, a lightbulb goes on above the collective EK heads in the room!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Yes... Emirates customers winning with the best benefits from both programs promise.
TBH though in the scheme of Emirates as an overall airline, Australia is a pretty small part
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Emirates adds fuel surcharges to Skywards reward tickets