Emirates Skywards - Is it worth the 65k miles to upgrade to F?

I am flying DXB - JFK day after tomorrow in J. I was wondering if the 65k miles needed for the upgrade to F are worth it. It does seem pretty steep to me, but I also have never experienced the F suites on the A345. Any takes?

to me it would be worth it!I dont like the J seats at all.

I would start earning with Delta Airlines to redeem a free RT JFK-DXB in F. It's the best value way to experience the suites for these flights.

If this is a once in a lifetime sort of thing, and you don't fly enough to get a lot of miles, then I would do it.

Cheers

Here's my report on the trip in F (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=534854). That at least will give you an idea of the experience should you upgrade.

If this is a once in a lifetime sort of thing, and you don't fly enough to get a lot of miles, then I would do it.

Good advice. If however this is part of a round trip and only have enough points to redeem one way, I would do it on the return (since if you do it on the outbound the return flight will be spent thinking how much worse J is :D )

For the 'best cabin in the sky' marketing ploy I must say J on EK A345 is not functionally comfortable. It looks great but does not live up to that which one would expect from this carrier in J on their flagship aircraft.

For the 'best cabin in the sky' marketing ploy I must say J on EK A345 is not functionally comfortable. It looks great but does not live up to that which one would expect from this carrier in J on their flagship aircraft.

What is the problem with J on this aircraft? I thought the seats looked fine. I have been fortunate enough to only fly F on this aircraft but each time I looked a the J seats they looked good enough to me. Just curious why thay are so bad since a couple of people have said it in this thread.

As far as the original question. I think the upgrade amounts are a little high as well but interestingly enough each time I have upgraded I have gotten the F class bonus not the J class bonus which is different than other airlines as you usually get what you purchased so if that is standard operating procedure for EK that should net you using more like 60k. I use all my miles for upgrades instead of free tickets so I would say go for it.

As far as the idea of crediting to DL. I dont know that I agree with that one in your case since you are EK gold. Yes DL has a better redemption rate but your gold status will gets you 50% status bonus miles and that should be make up the difference in the EK redemption rate and the DL redemption rate and the gold status will get you a lot further on op ups etc.

What is the problem with J on this aircraft? I thought the seats looked fine. I have been fortunate enough to only fly F on this aircraft but each time I looked a the J seats they looked good enough to me. Just curious why thay are so bad since a couple of people have said it in this thread.

I think it depends a lot on expectations and frame of reference. If you are used to flying CX J, SQ J or even BA J, EK J will be a downer. The seat is firmer, it doesn't recline as much, and the controls are fiddly. However, if you are used to flying other J classes (GF J, QR J, BD J, AC J etc) EK's product isn't half bad.

I personally love the massage feature, and I don't have too much problem with seat comfort.

People have complained about the controls not working, but luckily this has never happened to me. (and this wouldn't be a J only problem.)

Cheers

As far as the original question. I think the upgrade amounts are a little high as well but interestingly enough each time I have upgraded I have gotten the F class bonus not the J class bonus which is different than other airlines as you usually get what you purchased so if that is standard operating procedure for EK that should net you using more like 60k. I use all my miles for upgrades instead of free tickets so I would say go for it.


I'm not sure if its standard practice either, but it has also happened in my experience. ^


As far as the idea of crediting to DL. I dont know that I agree with that one in your case since you are EK gold. Yes DL has a better redemption rate but your gold status will gets you 50% status bonus miles and that should be make up the difference in the EK redemption rate and the DL redemption rate and the gold status will get you a lot further on op ups etc.

However, if the OP is willing to sign up for all the credit cards available, those DL miles are a lot easier to get. There are plenty of credit cards that give high bonuses (albeit many require a US address, some cards will allow a Canadian address) just for signing up, and 1 mile / $ spent.

When flying, as an EK Gold or Silver I wouldn't even consider crediting miles to DL because you loose out on a lot of miles. However, note that even if you are crediting miles to DL, you will receive priority as a Skywards Gold member (more likely to get opups etc)

Cheers

What is the problem with J on this aircraft? I thought the seats looked fine. I have been fortunate enough to only fly F on this aircraft but each time I looked a the J seats they looked good enough to me. Just curious why thay are so bad since a couple of people have said it in this thread.

Everything is essentially 1st rate in its J cabin on 345, however, for long haul , let alone ultra long haul, the seat is uncomfortable. Simply EK needs to put it's money where its mouth is on the 345 and install flat beds in J. We are talking EK here so I'd at least expect that in J on its flagship ac. :cool:

I would start earning with Delta Airlines to redeem a free RT JFK-DXB in F. It's the best value way to experience the suites for these flights.

If this is a once in a lifetime sort of thing, and you don't fly enough to get a lot of miles, then I would do it.

Cheers

I fly this route regularly in J. But have never got the chance to fly F (not ready to spend the extra money for F). But this time, I'm thinking "Why not?" Its mostly curiousty, but sure is an expensive one. Then again, I'm also thinking, I could upgrade a R/T DXB-LHR-DXB flight for 50k. Hmmm...

I fly this route regularly in J. But have never got the chance to fly F (not ready to spend the extra money for F). But this time, I'm thinking "Why not?" Its mostly curiousty, but sure is an expensive one. Then again, I'm also thinking, I could upgrade a R/T DXB-LHR-DXB flight for 50k. Hmmm...

Ahh, I see. In that case, I would go for it. But remember - it may get you hooked ;)

Also - if you want to pay for F once, I would do the following (assuming you buy DXB-JFK RT ticket.)

Start in Dubai. Fly one way DXB-KHI (class doesn't really matter.) Buy a KHI-DXB-JFK-DXB-KHI ART1 fare. It is around USD2000 cheaper than an F class return ticket DXB-JFK-DXB ^

Cheers

I am flying DXB - JFK day after tomorrow in J. I was wondering if the 65k miles needed for the upgrade to F are worth it. It does seem pretty steep to me, but I also have never experienced the F suites on the A345. Any takes?

Having flown the A345 on DXB - SYD/MEL I would most definetley do it. You will never want to go back. ^

So i did the upgrade. Flight is tomorrow. Lets see how this goes. Due to financial reasons, hope I do not get hooked! :cool:

I was thinking the same thing the other day, to buy a ticket from the Indian Subcontinent, to take advantage of the cheaper fares. Lets see on the next RT.

So i did the upgrade. Flight is tomorrow. Lets see how this goes. Due to financial reasons, hope I do not get hooked! :cool:

Congrats on getting upgrade confirmed ^ and enjoy the flight.

Yeah FT really should come with a warning - first class travel can be injurious to your mileage and bank accounts.

I was thinking the same thing the other day, to buy a ticket from the Indian Subcontinent, to take advantage of the cheaper fares. Lets see on the next RT.

Cairo is a good starting point for cheap EK fares.

Cheers,
Rick