There were a few deals previously on purchasing Alaska Airlines miles during their quarterly mileage sale, and using the bonus miles for other airlines' bookings such as Emirates.
Took this method and booked a business class round trip via Dubai to America (LA inbound, JFK outbound) back in Oct last year, and arranged for chauffeur transfers. Our first leg was late Jan; 2 days before we flew out from Singapore to Dubai we logged in to check in on our seats, and realized all pre-arranged transfers were erased, and we no longer had the option to rebook. The missus called Emirates and was told the tickets were booked under Alaska Airlines and we should communicate any queries thru Alaska. Called Alaska and were told to call Emirates as all services associated with the business class tickets were already booked thru, and any changes would have came from Emirates. Getting abit annoyed now, the missus called Emirates and asked to talk to a supervisor; was told back in Jan they had a policy change and partner airlines tickets were no longer entitled to chauffeured transfers. Had we not called Emirates 2 days before departure to check, we would be waiting like silly fools for an airport transfers that will never materialize.
On our outbound at Changi airport, we wanted to visit the business lounge only to be asked if our tickets were staff tickets. After a few calls here and there, was told even though we had business class tickets, we are not entitled to use the lounge.
On arrival to Dubai, there was no chauffeur transfer waiting for us at the airport, so we had to take a cab to our hotel. Lo and behold, on our outbound day where we are supposed to fly to LA, an Emirates chauffeur turned up 3 hours at our hotel lobby, and we had to turned him away because we already paid for a transfer from our hotel. We arrived at the Dubai airport, after checking in we head straight to customer service and asked for clarifications. Was told (1) yes the policies had changed for partner airlines redemption, (2) our transfers were all still in the system with the exception of the Singapore outbound transfer,and the rep printed the transfers for us, (3) no partner airlines redemption are not entitled to lounge usage.
Fast forward 4.5 weeks later; we are now in NYC and departing JFK in the next few days to Dubai on our return back to Singapore. Even with the printout that the Dubai Emirates rep gave, we decided not to take any chances and called to confirm the transfer to JFK. Guess what; the rude contact centre rep said it was not on their system! This was getting tiring with the back and forth. I was staring at the logged in itinerary and the transfers for Dubai were in the system, only the JFK had been erased.
1- Passing the buck: We paid for the miles thru a legit manner, only for Alaska Airlines to tell us there was nothing they could do, and for us to go thru Emirates. Emirates tried to shove us to Alaska saying the tickets were purchased thru Alaska and we should go thru them for queries. Absolutely no ownership here once the money changed hands.
2- Thru the mileage programme, we purchased legit business class tickets from Alaska Airlines. Now without zero perks ie lounge access or transfers and being treated like second class customers whenever we called both airlines, it's seems more like a sham; selling business class tickets thru miles, and getting bare minimum treatment. We thank god that we managed to get seats in the business class section, for we are fearful Emirates would even go as far as to downgrade us to economy seats.
3. What gets me is - if ya gonna give the transfers, give it! Don't freaking give it, then take it away without even the basic courtesy to call or email us. Had we not call to confirm/ check, we would be idiots waiting at the hotel lobbies for the airport transfers that will never turn up.
Key lessons:
For all you folks who purchased the Alaska miles, and planning to use it on Emirates; CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK your bookings, I wouldn't be surprised if Emirates decidedly change your booking to Economy without telling you.
And don't bother buying from Alaska Airlines mileage programme, zero customer service after they get your money!
Good luck and safe travels!
We had a problem with EK too, had booking docs in hand going out of Hong Kong to Dubai, arrived very early to check in, told booking not completed, after numerous calls and help from EK staff two hours later was able to book in, limited us to just 2 hours in first lounges. All other bookings with CX and QF were fine.