Emirates Airlines Skywards - Short trip ex-DXB for mileage run

I shall be finishing the year about 800 miles short of Gold this year. My final trip of the year begins at the end of next month and returning middle of December. I live in New York, so it isnt quite possible for me to make a mileage run from here, but I am open to taking a long layover between my flights from JFK and to DEL, and taking a short trip within the region.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on trips that could be made from DXB, for a reasonable price (~US $150-200) with returns within 8 hours or so.

I am American, in case someone has visa advice for a trip like this.

contact emirates, and ask themto grant u the upgrade to gold. let them know that u will be taking a trip in a few months, and im sure they will bump u up to gold.

Too easy.
Call emirates before end of october, and book the arabian airpass (assuming your ticket originates in the states) and add a return DXB-MCT-DXB or DXB-DOH-DXB for 100US plus taxes.
http://www.emirates.com/au/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/arabian_airpass/discover_me.aspx

I can't remember seeing a flight on EK for under 1000 dirhams ex-DXB for quite a while.

They are offering 1095 dirham returns to MAA right now, if you have a multi-entry visa for India.

The alternative is to book the cheapest one way you can that's over 800 miles and try to get a low cost carrier flight back to Dubai (or Sharjah). Or the other way around. E.g. a o/w MAA-DXB on EK can be had for $145.

Too easy.
Call emirates before end of october, and book the arabian airpass (assuming your ticket originates in the states) and add a return DXB-MCT-DXB or DXB-DOH-DXB for 100US plus taxes.
http://www.emirates.com/au/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/arabian_airpass/discover_me.aspx

Or this :o

Too easy.
Call emirates before end of october, and book the arabian airpass (assuming your ticket originates in the states) and add a return DXB-MCT-DXB or DXB-DOH-DXB for 100US plus taxes.
http://www.emirates.com/au/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/arabian_airpass/discover_me.aspx

Ah, many thanks :)

Any insight on visa requirements for US citizens, in Qatar and Oman?

Here's a few ideas:

1. Look into changing one/both of the DXB-DEL segments to business class (assuming you're in economy). That might give you enough tier miles.

2. Consider DEL-DXB-DEL roundtrip. Might be a bit more than you want to spend (probably around $350), but you should be able to do in less than 12 hours total. No visa issues.

3. Starting 1 Jan 2010 elite status qualification considers the past 13 months of travel. If you plan to have 800 or more miles in January 2010, you should make Gold on 31 Jan 2010.

Ah, many thanks :)

Any insight on visa requirements for US citizens, in Qatar and Oman?
Take the advice of edy4eva and book an Arabian Airpass my preference would be Muscat.
Both are visa on entry. If you fly to Muscat try to spend the some time in Dubai so you get an exit and entry stamp. Doing this will stop you having to queue to pay for a Omani entry visa. Just to go straight to the left hand queue for immigration.

contact emirates, and ask themto grant u the upgrade to gold. let them know that u will be taking a trip in a few months, and im sure they will bump u up to gold.

i actually had them do it to get bumped to Silver earlier this year. I would have been Silver regardless after a DEL-DXB segment, but had them bump me so I could avail benefits during my layover at DXB. I am not sure if they will bump me to gold too. Although that would be perfect! :)

Why not JFK-IAH-DXB-DEL and vv?

Might even be the same price as the nonstop and many more miles :)

Cheers,

2. Consider DEL-DXB-DEL roundtrip. Might be a bit more than you want to spend (probably around $350), but you should be able to do in less than 12 hours total. No visa issues.

Europeans def need a Visa prior to travelling to India. Not that the OP will understand that he gets it on arrival. Or is it different for US citizens?

Europeans def need a Visa prior to travelling to India. Not that the OP will understand that he gets it on arrival. Or is it different for US citizens?

i have a visa to india already. i just wanted clarification on visas in the mid-east.

ah ok ...