Emirates Skywards - Off to SYD via DXB in a couple of weeks - just some questions...

Hi there,

I have taken advantage of EK's excellent Y/J combination fares to fly from GLA-(Y)-DXB-(J)-SYD return in February. I'm really looking forward to flying EK, as it's been a few years and I only hear good reports about them. I do, however, have a couple of logistical questions which I'm hoping someone here can help me with:

1. Do EK ever sell upgrades at Checkin? I'm wondering if it is worth my while trying to upgrade from Y to J for the GLA-DXB sector.

2. I have an overnight stopover in DXB due to flight timings. EK are providing HOTAC free of charge. Will they treat me as a Y or a J customer when allocating my hotel? As I'm due to arrive at the hotel after midnight, will it be possible to have a swim there (not even sure that there even is a pool).


3. My layover is approximately 10 hours (arriving Midnight, leaving again at 1000), I'm presuming that I can just through-check my bag from GLA to SYD, and make do with my handluggage?

4. On arrival in SYD, I believe I'm entitled to a limo within 40k of the airport. I'm due to meet a friend upon arrival (he is flying in from PER). Do you think there will be any problems in him tagging along in the limo? For my return, how do I arrange the pick-up? I'm presuming that I will be given contact details on arrival??

4. Lastly, and completely OT. Does anybody have any idea how much a 4GB ipod nano is retailing for in DXB duty free???!!

Many thanks in advance for your answers....

exBAres

1. Do EK ever sell upgrades at Checkin? I'm wondering if it is worth my while trying to upgrade from Y to J for the GLA-DXB sector.


I have never tried ex GLA, but EK does sell upgrades at check-in from some airports. It doesn't hurt to ask


2. I have an overnight stopover in DXB due to flight timings. EK are providing HOTAC free of charge. Will they treat me as a Y or a J customer when allocating my hotel? As I'm due to arrive at the hotel after midnight, will it be possible to have a swim there (not even sure that there even is a pool).

Logically speaking, I think you would be treated as a J passenger since you're onward flight is in J. But I believe that these UK-AUS fares which are 1/2 in J 1/2 in Y tend to be Economy Class fares with an IATA supplement to Business Class on certain sectors. If EK looks at your fare basis (which they may or may not) you'll be treated as a Y passenger.


3. My layover is approximately 10 hours (arriving Midnight, leaving again at 1000), I'm presuming that I can just through-check my bag from GLA to SYD, and make do with my handluggage?

Yes.



4. On arrival in SYD, I believe I'm entitled to a limo within 40k of the airport. I'm due to meet a friend upon arrival (he is flying in from PER). Do you think there will be any problems in him tagging along in the limo? For my return, how do I arrange the pick-up? I'm presuming that I will be given contact details on arrival??


You should be fine. I have taken guests in the limo with me before (albeit they were flying on EK.) For the return, you must phone EK in SYD 24 hours before.


4. Lastly, and completely OT. Does anybody have any idea how much a 4GB ipod nano is retailing for in DXB duty free???!!

No clue, but I wouldn't recommend buying from DXB ... the duty free is expensive.


Cheers

I think you'll be struggling to get a swim at that time of the night. Both the Le Meridien and Millennium (the hotels that Emirates use) have outdoor pools that will be closed at that time.

I second the point about the iPods. Most things are cheaper in Dixons Tax Free at the airport :)

Cheers,
Rick

thanks for the info guys... very much appreciated.

I guess there's not much going to be going on in DXB from 1am onwards? I'm a bit concerned that I won't be ready to sleep when I arrive. My rough(ish) plan is to stay awake through the night, and then zonk on the DXB-SYD sector, with the help of some Zopiclone, thanks to my friendly GP. Fingers crossed I'll arrive in SYD at 7am the next day ready to enjoy my holiday.

Obviously it's easier to stay awake if there are few distractions! Any ideas?

Thanks again,

exBAres

It depends on what day you arrive in Dubai. If it's a Wednesday or Thursday, the bars are open until 3am, otherwise until 2am.

There is a complex called the Le Meridien Village attached to the hotel, and that has the Dubliner Pub, and a nightclub called Lucy's (I think!) that has a live band playing cheesy music. There is also an outside bar, which is great for a few drinks when it's a little cooler at night. The Millennium is just across the road.

I think there are some other nightclubs that are open later (Rockbottom, Zinc), but they're further away from the airport.

Cheers,
Rick