Originally Posted by PIT_Flyer

Understood, thanks. At this point, it seems like the fare difference between LH J and Emirates F is $2k. (LH F and EK F are around the same). Since I've never done the latter (AND since code shares don't matter for GS qualification in any case AND since we've done LH F multiple times), might as well do EK F all the way (it's on a 380 on both segments: JNB - DXB - LAX). I never looked at EK until this issue with fare class.