Emirates Skywards Programme

[doctormann]

OK, here's a strange one:

I have flown with Emirates, infrequently, but have never, to my knowledge, joined their frequent flyer programme (Skywards). Now, I'm flying to UK with missus next week, with Emirates, and it seemed like a good idea to join the programme, mainly because you get to pick your seating and just might, some day, get an upgrade. So, here's what happened:

Logged on to the Emirates site, navigated to the 'Join Skywards' bit and filled out all of the on-line stuff. Submitted it all, only to receive the message that I was already a member but they would advise me of my details via email, to the address that I had given them. OK, slightly surprised that, apparently, I was already in the system but sat back and waited for the email - and waited, and waited ... A month on and nothing had appeared. Tried again with exactly the same result.

Tried the 'forgotten membership number' link and received the msg that my membership details could not be retrieved - very helpful!

Tried phoning the BKK office - the phrase 'chocolate teapot' comes to mind. The bod that I spoke to confirmed that I was NOT on their database but told me that there was someone with a 'similar' name, albeit of different nationality and with a different passport number and this was why the system was rejecting me. <deleted>!! First computer that I've come across that can make a decision like that - they using fuzzy logic or what? Bod told me that he would email me an application form. Nothing has appeared!

So, the saga continues. I thought that I might be a bit devious and try to join using a slightly different Christian name, which I could amend later. Went through the procedure only to be told that the passport number that I had submitted was already allocated to an existing member or prospective member (interesting phraseology - maybe a clue there). So, a different error message but no further forward.

Anyway, I'm in Dubai, briefly, next week so I might try thumping the table there. What a strange puzzle though - anyone on this forum had a similar experience and, if so, how did you resolve it?

DM

[intumult]

Use Etihad?

[ClaytonSeymour]

OK, here's a strange one:

I have flown with Emirates, infrequently, but have never, to my knowledge, joined their frequent flyer programme (Skywards). Now, I'm flying to UK with missus next week, with Emirates, and it seemed like a good idea to join the programme, mainly because you get to pick your seating and just might, some day, get an upgrade. So, here's what happened:

Logged on to the Emirates site, navigated to the 'Join Skywards' bit and filled out all of the on-line stuff. Submitted it all, only to receive the message that I was already a member but they would advise me of my details via email, to the address that I had given them. OK, slightly surprised that, apparently, I was already in the system but sat back and waited for the email - and waited, and waited ... A month on and nothing had appeared. Tried again with exactly the same result.

Tried the 'forgotten membership number' link and received the msg that my membership details could not be retrieved - very helpful!

Tried phoning the BKK office - the phrase 'chocolate teapot' comes to mind. The bod that I spoke to confirmed that I was NOT on their database but told me that there was someone with a 'similar' name, albeit of different nationality and with a different passport number and this was why the system was rejecting me. <deleted>!! First computer that I've come across that can make a decision like that - they using fuzzy logic or what? Bod told me that he would email me an application form. Nothing has appeared!

So, the saga continues. I thought that I might be a bit devious and try to join using a slightly different Christian name, which I could amend later. Went through the procedure only to be told that the passport number that I had submitted was already allocated to an existing member or prospective member (interesting phraseology - maybe a clue there). So, a different error message but no further forward.

Anyway, I'm in Dubai, briefly, next week so I might try thumping the table there. What a strange puzzle though - anyone on this forum had a similar experience and, if so, how did you resolve it?

DM

Better if you'd e-mailed them re: your problem; they're usually very prompt to respond, though I'm sure they'll resolve this in Dubai.

It's always worthwhile to join an airlines frequent flyer programme; I always fill them form out prior to booking with a new airline.

[doctormann]

OK, here's a strange one:

I have flown with Emirates, infrequently, but have never, to my knowledge, joined their frequent flyer programme (Skywards). Now, I'm flying to UK with missus next week, with Emirates, and it seemed like a good idea to join the programme, mainly because you get to pick your seating and just might, some day, get an upgrade. So, here's what happened:

Logged on to the Emirates site, navigated to the 'Join Skywards' bit and filled out all of the on-line stuff. Submitted it all, only to receive the message that I was already a member but they would advise me of my details via email, to the address that I had given them. OK, slightly surprised that, apparently, I was already in the system but sat back and waited for the email - and waited, and waited ... A month on and nothing had appeared. Tried again with exactly the same result.

Tried the 'forgotten membership number' link and received the msg that my membership details could not be retrieved - very helpful!

Tried phoning the BKK office - the phrase 'chocolate teapot' comes to mind. The bod that I spoke to confirmed that I was NOT on their database but told me that there was someone with a 'similar' name, albeit of different nationality and with a different passport number and this was why the system was rejecting me. <deleted>!! First computer that I've come across that can make a decision like that - they using fuzzy logic or what? Bod told me that he would email me an application form. Nothing has appeared!

So, the saga continues. I thought that I might be a bit devious and try to join using a slightly different Christian name, which I could amend later. Went through the procedure only to be told that the passport number that I had submitted was already allocated to an existing member or prospective member (interesting phraseology - maybe a clue there). So, a different error message but no further forward.

Anyway, I'm in Dubai, briefly, next week so I might try thumping the table there. What a strange puzzle though - anyone on this forum had a similar experience and, if so, how did you resolve it?

DM

Better if you'd e-mailed them re: your problem; they're usually very prompt to respond, though I'm sure they'll resolve this in Dubai.

It's always worthwhile to join an airlines frequent flyer programme; I always fill them form out prior to booking with a new airline.

Do you have an email address for them that works? I can't find anything but postal addresses and phone numbers on the Skywards contact page.

DM

[Jiu-Jitsu]

skywards at emirates dot com

[doctormann]

skywards at emirates dot com

Thanks.

Tried emailing them at that address and guess what - got an automated message back directing me to the Skywards help page, which I cannot use without a membership number and password. As the whole point of the exercise was to become a member in the first place this seems another fine Catch 22 example. Just have to thump the table in Dubai next week.

DM

[ClaytonSeymour]

skywards at emirates dot com

Thanks.

Tried emailing them at that address and guess what - got an automated message back directing me to the Skywards help page, which I cannot use without a membership number and password. As the whole point of the exercise was to become a member in the first place this seems another fine Catch 22 example. Just have to thump the table in Dubai next week.

DM

Try this one; it's for all interaction problems with the web site.

[email protected]

They'll probably forward it to the right dept. anyway. The last time I contacted them it was regards transporting a bicycle & I just used the online booking query form - even though I didn't have a booking at the time. I guess you could have done likewise & just explained the problem with skywards & that you intended to book once resolved. It's at the bottom of the page; just follow the link:

http://www.emirates.com/Terms/terms.asp#21

[doctormann]

skywards at emirates dot com

Thanks.

Tried emailing them at that address and guess what - got an automated message back directing me to the Skywards help page, which I cannot use without a membership number and password. As the whole point of the exercise was to become a member in the first place this seems another fine Catch 22 example. Just have to thump the table in Dubai next week.

DM

Try this one; it's for all interaction problems with the web site.

[email protected]

They'll probably forward it to the right dept. anyway. The last time I contacted them it was regards transporting a bicycle & I just used the online booking query form - even though I didn't have a booking at the time. I guess you could have done likewise & just explained the problem with skywards & that you intended to book once resolved. It's at the bottom of the page; just follow the link:

http://www.emirates.com/Terms/terms.asp#21

Thanks for that info.

I've just emailed the websupport address so we'll see what transpires. Not holding my breath.

Apparently you can get application forms on board the flight so I might just try that approach as well.

I think actually that the Emirates web site is pretty user friendly - it just seems to be the Skywards offshoot that needs to be improved.

DM