Emirates Skywards Questions

[vic308]

Just a couple of questions about emirates. Is the airport lounge exclusively for business and first class pax? Can a economy pleb pay to get in? If so, how much?

Also, are upgrades common, I don't mean scoring a free one, but paying for one upon check in? if so, how much usually?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Just a couple of questions about emirates. Is the airport lounge exclusively for business and first class pax? Can a economy pleb pay to get in? If so, how much?

Also, are upgrades common, I don't mean scoring a free one, but paying for one upon check in? if so, how much usually?

Class and status will get you in, not money, unusual for the middle east I know.

Upgrades are common for high value travelers. I dontbelieve you can pay for one.

If you want to fly premium, they have some reasonable deals.

 

[malmacdowall]

As already mentioned, the lounges are for first and business pax but in Dubai, you can pay for access to the Mahabra lounge.. Check the emirates site for info... Regarding upgrades, call the emirates Australia office and ask them... I have had luck a few times by calling them and asking them to email me if any upgrades become available.. Did a $1000 paid upgrade (emailed 2 days before) whilst in Paris.. Business upgrade from Dubai to Mel... Definitely worth the call and asking.. Even for single leg upgrade availability... Good luck... Are doing doing a Dubai stopover?

 

[eightblack]

It pays to join Skywards as Silver requires 25,000 tier miles and Gold only requires 50,000 tier miles. Access to the EK Lounges in Australia is for Gold, Business and First Class customers. Gold's can bring ONE guest and can access lounge if travelling Y, J or F (Bus or First don't have guest access).

In Dubai, Silver members can access the lounge at Gate 122, T1

EK often run upgrade incentives for new Skywards members whereby you might receive an email 2-3 days prior to your flight, offering you the ability to upgrade from Y to J for a nominal fee (ie MEL to SIN for A$175). I've done this plenty of times.

Also EK are very very good when it comes to op-ups for their premium passengers. Best I've ever experienced.

 

[vic308]

Yeah flying from brisbane to Glasgow with a refuel/change of plane (not sure which ) on 2nd May. I know stil a little while away, but just thought I'd ask. Ok, might give them a call and ask them to email me if any upgrades are available.

Does anyone know much about this route? Is it a busy one?

 

[eightblack]

Yeah flying from brisbane to Glasgow with a refuel/change of plane (not sure which ) on 2nd May. I know stil a little while away, but just thought I'd ask. Ok, might give them a call and ask them to email me if any upgrades are available.

Does anyone know much about this route? Is it a busy one?

The flight from BNE stops in SIN to refuel and then heads to DXB. You can easily check loads using ExpertFlyer. At present, the flight is wide open in all classes (zero in F, 23 out of 42 in J and 126 out of 304), but that doesn't mean much now. EF shows only those with assigned seating - not unassigned so it isn't always accurate. Use it as a guide only.

EK will only send out the upgrade email if they think they wont fill the J cabin and they will only do this a few days prior to departure. It won't hurt to call but I doubt if the call centre folks will be able to help as this will all be handled via inventory management - probably centrally in DXB.

 

[vic308]

Ah ok, thanks mate.

Should that fuel stop at SIN appear on my flight details? It just says Brisbane - Dubai - Glasgow

 

[eightblack]

Ah ok, thanks mate.

Should that fuel stop at SIN appear on my flight details? It just says Brisbane - Dubai - Glasgow

If you're on EK433, it stops in SIN
If you're on EK435, its direct to DXB

You'll find the direct flights are always busier in terms of load. More chances of an op-up if you have status with EK.

 

[vic308]

Yeah, it's EK 435.

Also, was reading that each seat has a power source. Will I need a special adapter for this?

 

[eightblack]

Yeah, it's EK 435.

Also, was reading that each seat has a power source. Will I need a special adapter for this?

No your Aussie 3 pin plug will fit straight into it. The power adapters are in each seat in J and F and there are 2 shared between 3 seats in Y.

 

[MAX_1]

If you have not purchased your flight yet, Check out if its worth getting a Citi Emirates Credit Card and buying the fares using this card.

From memory,
you will get chauffeur driven pick to and from your home ( check the T&G)
access to the Emirates Lounges. (check the T&G)

 

[vic308]

Gee that would have been nice. Unfortunately we've already booked the flights.

Sorry to bother everyone with a heap of questions, Can anyone give me a realistic run down of the cabin/food/entertainment that I'm in for? Obviously I've been to the emirates website and some review sites, but I'd rather take a fellow Aussies word on something as opposed to some random in another country.

 

[Major]

If you're on EK433, it stops in SIN
If you're on EK435, its direct to DXB

You'll find the direct flights are always busier in terms of load. More chances of an op-up if you have status with EK.

Hope you're right. Travelling EK on Tues from BNE to AKL in Y.
You never know.

 

[eightblack]

Hope you're right. Travelling EK on Tues from BNE to AKL in Y.
You never know.

Don't treat this with any sort of credibility, but according to EF, EK434 has 1 in F, 24 booked in J and Y is wide open (doesn't look even a third full). But there could be a lot of unassigned seats - check on EF at T-24 to get a more accurate view.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on...

 

[adampenrith]

had plenty of upgrade emails from EK

My understanding was that these were only offered to Skywards members who had booked on line.

However upgrades are sometimes possible at checkin - just ask.

A relative of mine who works in the travel industy describes EK as having the best economy and first calls , but a very average business class product. i would agree with this.

In fact I rate Garuda's business class cabin, the seats and the service to be better than EK.

Know that will come as a shock to many but I have travelled in J on both airlines numerous times and would choose Garuda over EK any day, based on service and comfort in J

 

[Sprucegoose]

Gee that would have been nice. Unfortunately we've already booked the flights.

Sorry to bother everyone with a heap of questions, Can anyone give me a realistic run down of the cabin/food/entertainment that I'm in for? Obviously I've been to the emirates website and some review sites, but I'd rather take a fellow Aussies word on something as opposed to some random in another country.

Food good, plenty of it

IFE good, a lot to choose from.

They can't pour wine to save their lives, they have these glasses like your parents used to sip sherry out of.

J class seat, generally coughpy, compared to other offerings in the market place.

 

[mannej]

I am guessing that EK435 is on a 773, which is in 3-4-3 configuration at the back. I always find the window seats on the 777 to be a pain, so if you like to move around during the flight, try to get an aisle seat.
According to seat guru the pitch varies between 31-34 inches, so if you do get 34 inches, you will be laughing for an economy seat.
IFE is good. I do find the service can be hit and miss. I have had the crew from hell (I have never had anything like this from the red rat) to DXB, yet from DXB the crew were simply out of this world.

 

[Maggs]

Flew economy with them a while back. LOVED IT. Great entertainment, their website should give you an idea what is available. (Listening to David Bowie and watching the take off was fantastic) They give you a booklet of what's one. Food great and at the back of the bus plenty of snacks to pick from.
Do the on line booking and seat allocation which saved a lot of time at the airport. Dubai airport is such an amazing place going without club access wasn't too bad. Plenty to see and shopping was great too.
Enjoy

 

[browski]

In fact I rate Garuda's business class cabin, the seats and the service to be better than EK.

Know that will come as a shock to many but I have travelled in J on both airlines numerous times and would choose Garuda over EK any day, based on service and comfort in J

Surprised, more than shocked.
I'm guessing you have not flown the EK SYD-DXB A380 J product.

 

[mannej]

Emirates questions

Surprised, more than shocked.
I'm guessing you have not flown the EK SYD-DXB A380 J product.

The 777 J product is more relevant to this thread


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