Originally Posted by
OzTennis
Background - wishing to book J class GLA-DXB-MEL; MEL-DXB-GLA departing early December 2020 and returning early March 2021. Current availability only goes up to returning on 9th January so obviously we can't book early March online currently as it stands. I've read somewhere a figure of 328 days beyond as the maximum availability. We are wishing to make an early booking and lock in the fares currently available if possible. About 5 years ago we faced the same situation of wanting to make a booking for a return nearly a year hence and if memory serves me correctly I did the booking over the phone with Emirates UK service centre (although the call went to an operative in Dubai) who could do it all on the basis of booking the last available return and then closer to the time when March became available I phoned up and they did a free change of return dates - it was pointed out this was a once only free change and any further changes would be for the usual fee for a change on a Business Saver or Flex ticket).
3 queries:
Thanks in advance for any suggestions on how to secure an early booking - is over the phone as described above still available as an option and recommended?
If I did the booking via an agent (such as Trailfinders) would they be able to arrange all this on our behalf?
Is Business Saver on this route still inclusive of chaffeur pick ups and lounge access and not the new Business fare without these things Emirates has mooted?
I can only help with a definitive answer on the last one: CD and lounge access are unchanged on J Saver(O bucket) fares (i.e. you still get them). It's only on 'Special' fares (H fare bucket) that they are excluded.
As far as the 'early booking' is concerned, your best bet is to call EK and ask them if this is still possible. I somehow doubt that an agent would go to that sort of trouble (assuming it would be possible at all) without at least charging you a 'service fee'. But I would be interested in the outcome as I have a similar possible scenario coming up.
So please get back to us when you have an answer!