Thanks for the reply - I am looking at O "Special" or H "Saver" so my dad can use the Lounge. But it keeps showing as close to $5000.

I'm debating getting a credit card just to knock off the price by around $1000, but a bit annoyed at even considering that.

Sigh. I know that's a different forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cred...-programs-599/

I just find it a bit odd I guess as friends of mine fly AC or KLM/One World Alliance and I know they have regular sales off their business class fares around twice a year, but I know that Emirates is technically 'nicer.'