FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Special business class seat selection question
Old May 18, 2023 | 12:34 am
  #2  
thijsseh
Ambassador, Emirates
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,813
Originally Posted by Lenny970
New forum member here with some basic questions. I did read through the last 10 or so pages but didn't find any answers.

I'm thinking of booking a round trip flight next February for my wife and I from New York or Houston to MLE, with a stop over in DXB. We would typically fly Premium Economy, however I was considering business class for the long leg to and from DXB on one of the 380's just for the added comfort. I see that Emirates offers 4 types of business class for this flight (Special, Saver, Flex, and Flex plus). The lower cost of the Special business ticket doesn't include chauffer service or lounge access, which is fine with us, so it looks like a good choice. One concern we have though is that it seems the Special business tickets also do not include the opportunity to select seats until check in, so you are stuck with what ever is left over at that time. The seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration and naturally we would prefer to sit in the side by side seats in the center, rather than individual window seats. I know we could book Saver business tickets and choose our seats, however I can't justify the additional $6K expense just for the privilege of seat selection. Is there any better options??

Also, I was considering booking a Premium economy ticket for this leg and then upgrading to business class with points. If I were to do that would we still just be getting a Special business class ticket with no seat selection until check in time?

Thanks in advance!
Hi Lenny970, welcome to FlyerTalk and the Emirates forum!

I think you have the ‘problem’ with the ‘special’ Business class fare bucket pretty well described and as far as I am aware there is no way around that, you simply cannot select your seats or even pay for seat selection.

When you buy PE and upgrade with points (miles), you will get a ‘D” fare bucket, which will give you free seat selection. Be aware though that this is subject to award availability, which is not guaranteed!
thijsseh is offline