Apr 5, 2014, 3:23 pm
Last edit by: eponymous_coward
Emirates award guide using Alaska Airlines miles
Routing Rules:
All trips must start or end in North America.
One open jaw and one stopover allowed on each one-way award.
No fees for changes/cancellations prior to 60 days from departure.
North American Gateway Cities:
West Coast
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Central
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
East Coast
Boston
New York (JFK)
Orlando (Effective September 1, 2015)
Washington DC (IAD)
Canada
Toronto
Award Chart Links*:
Middle East & Africa
Asia
Europe
*If region is not listed on chart its not available.
Perks
Chauffeur Drive NOT Available
Car service is not available for all Business Class and First Class passengers on Alaska Airlines ticketed award tickets on Emirates flights (as of Jan 2015). The chauffeur will not confirm if you use the EK website for this, though the website makes it look you can make a reservation.
Lounges
Access is available for all passengers traveling in Business and First Class. Not all cities have lounges and many may be operated by a Partner. There have been some reports of people having an issue accessing the Dubai lounges as the tickets may appear in their system as non-revenue employee travel. This is not as much of a problem as it used to be but in case it comes up please advise the lounge attendant that you are on an Alaska Airlines award.
Dubai Connect
AS Awards on EK do not qualify for Dubai Connect, which is the service that offers the free hotel.
Tricks to find Transoceanic availability
Instead of performing a blanket, i.e. SEA-DXB search, perform: SEA-MED.
Madinah is a destination that is only served by EK. Consequently, if there is availability, only EK will show up in the calendar results.
Routing Rules:
All trips must start or end in North America.
One open jaw and one stopover allowed on each one-way award.
No fees for changes/cancellations prior to 60 days from departure.
North American Gateway Cities:
West Coast
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Central
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
East Coast
Boston
New York (JFK)
Orlando (Effective September 1, 2015)
Washington DC (IAD)
Canada
Toronto
Award Chart Links*:
Middle East & Africa
Asia
Europe
*If region is not listed on chart its not available.
Perks
Chauffeur Drive NOT Available
Car service is not available for all Business Class and First Class passengers on Alaska Airlines ticketed award tickets on Emirates flights (as of Jan 2015). The chauffeur will not confirm if you use the EK website for this, though the website makes it look you can make a reservation.
Lounges
Access is available for all passengers traveling in Business and First Class. Not all cities have lounges and many may be operated by a Partner. There have been some reports of people having an issue accessing the Dubai lounges as the tickets may appear in their system as non-revenue employee travel. This is not as much of a problem as it used to be but in case it comes up please advise the lounge attendant that you are on an Alaska Airlines award.
Dubai Connect
AS Awards on EK do not qualify for Dubai Connect, which is the service that offers the free hotel.
Tricks to find Transoceanic availability
Instead of performing a blanket, i.e. SEA-DXB search, perform: SEA-MED.
Madinah is a destination that is only served by EK. Consequently, if there is availability, only EK will show up in the calendar results.
Consolidated Emirates (EK) awards availability/booking/routing thread
Aug 20, 2014, 2:49 pm
#946
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: LAX/PVG
Programs: HH G, MR/SPG G, IHG Plat, Club Carlson G, National Exec
Posts: 191
Good to know. Thanks, guys.
Aug 22, 2014, 11:35 pm
#947
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: AS MVP 75K
Posts: 286
Lucked out on a morning call to Mileage Plan, didn't ask where the agent was based.
I first checked out and confirmed F award seat availability for spring next year using Emirates.com (nothing had been showing up at all on AS.com). Called the MVP Gold number and asked for a one-way SFO-DXB-SIN award request and after 30 seconds, agent said "no availability." I told her to "try a manual sell" but she said "I don't know what that means, but let me put you on hold for a bit and I'll try something." 10 minutes later, she came back and said she had me confirmed for F, A380 on SFO-DXB, ~2hr layover in DXB, and 777 on DXB-SIN. ^^^
I'm very excited as this will be my first ride on EK in any class
Now I'm debating if 2 hours is enough to check out the First Class lounge in Dubai, and if it's worth changing to a 7 hour layover for another A380 flight vs. 777 to SIN. Would appreciate opinions from others.
I first checked out and confirmed F award seat availability for spring next year using Emirates.com (nothing had been showing up at all on AS.com). Called the MVP Gold number and asked for a one-way SFO-DXB-SIN award request and after 30 seconds, agent said "no availability." I told her to "try a manual sell" but she said "I don't know what that means, but let me put you on hold for a bit and I'll try something." 10 minutes later, she came back and said she had me confirmed for F, A380 on SFO-DXB, ~2hr layover in DXB, and 777 on DXB-SIN. ^^^
I'm very excited as this will be my first ride on EK in any class
Now I'm debating if 2 hours is enough to check out the First Class lounge in Dubai, and if it's worth changing to a 7 hour layover for another A380 flight vs. 777 to SIN. Would appreciate opinions from others.
Last edited by wp_kid; Aug 22, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Aug 23, 2014, 3:47 am
#948
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Wirelessly posted (beckoa's BB: Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9810; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.694 Mobile Safari/534.11+)
If there's space a second shower could be nice- how does this change your time of day enroute to SIN?
If there's space a second shower could be nice- how does this change your time of day enroute to SIN?
Aug 23, 2014, 4:58 am
#949
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: AS MVP 75K
Posts: 286
The 777 leaves around 9pm, the A380 3am.
Aug 23, 2014, 12:05 pm
#950
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Wirelessly posted (beckoa's BB: Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9810; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.694 Mobile Safari/534.11+)
So either way its basically a redeye? I'd probably do the later flight if there was space.
Originally Posted by wp_kid
The 777 leaves around 9pm, the A380 3am.
Aug 23, 2014, 4:10 pm
#951
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
Just did JFK-DXB-SIN in A380 F x2.
Loved the A380, but found the EK F lounge underwhelming (it ain't the LH's FCT or TG's BKK F lounge by any means). Definitely not worth sticking around just for that, but if you wanted to do a bit of touring in DXB and catch another shower on that 3am flight (which I just took), then do it.
Loved the A380, but found the EK F lounge underwhelming (it ain't the LH's FCT or TG's BKK F lounge by any means). Definitely not worth sticking around just for that, but if you wanted to do a bit of touring in DXB and catch another shower on that 3am flight (which I just took), then do it.
Aug 23, 2014, 4:16 pm
#952
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,603
Just did JFK-DXB-SIN in A380 F x2.
Loved the A380, but found the EK F lounge underwhelming (it ain't the LH's FCT or TG's BKK F lounge by any means). Definitely not worth sticking around just for that, but if you wanted to do a bit of touring in DXB and catch another shower on that 3am flight (which I just took), then do it.
Loved the A380, but found the EK F lounge underwhelming (it ain't the LH's FCT or TG's BKK F lounge by any means). Definitely not worth sticking around just for that, but if you wanted to do a bit of touring in DXB and catch another shower on that 3am flight (which I just took), then do it.
Next time try the new FCL in the A concourse. Just a tad different.
Aug 23, 2014, 4:20 pm
#953
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 669
Did you see Z1 on Expert Flyer and then call Alaska? Or was it Z0 and you called and got a seat anyway? Thanks!
Lucked out on a morning call to Mileage Plan, didn't ask where the agent was based.
I first checked out and confirmed F award seat availability for spring next year using Emirates.com (nothing had been showing up at all on AS.com). Called the MVP Gold number and asked for a one-way SFO-DXB-SIN award request and after 30 seconds, agent said "no availability." I told her to "try a manual sell" but she said "I don't know what that means, but let me put you on hold for a bit and I'll try something." 10 minutes later, she came back and said she had me confirmed for F, A380 on SFO-DXB, ~2hr layover in DXB, and 777 on DXB-SIN. ^^^
I'm very excited as this will be my first ride on EK in any class
Now I'm debating if 2 hours is enough to check out the First Class lounge in Dubai, and if it's worth changing to a 7 hour layover for another A380 flight vs. 777 to SIN. Would appreciate opinions from others.
I first checked out and confirmed F award seat availability for spring next year using Emirates.com (nothing had been showing up at all on AS.com). Called the MVP Gold number and asked for a one-way SFO-DXB-SIN award request and after 30 seconds, agent said "no availability." I told her to "try a manual sell" but she said "I don't know what that means, but let me put you on hold for a bit and I'll try something." 10 minutes later, she came back and said she had me confirmed for F, A380 on SFO-DXB, ~2hr layover in DXB, and 777 on DXB-SIN. ^^^
I'm very excited as this will be my first ride on EK in any class
Now I'm debating if 2 hours is enough to check out the First Class lounge in Dubai, and if it's worth changing to a 7 hour layover for another A380 flight vs. 777 to SIN. Would appreciate opinions from others.
Aug 23, 2014, 4:27 pm
#954
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
Nope. Was in the new one in the A concourse. Got my obligatory spa treatment, got dinner, visited the cigar lounge (where they charged me for my cuban (!)), but still was underwhelming, IMO.
Aug 23, 2014, 11:01 pm
#956
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: LAX/PVG
Programs: HH G, MR/SPG G, IHG Plat, Club Carlson G, National Exec
Posts: 191
Another vote for the 7 hour layover, and then the A380. Since it's your first to the DXB F lounge, it's better to have enough time to soak it all in. You can also get the chauffeur service for a quick visit to the city. You may not be able to book it on EK.com since it's not a stopover, but if you call, they'll arrange it for you.
Aug 24, 2014, 12:21 am
#957
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
I find the EK F lounge to be one of the best lounges, anywhere.
Aug 24, 2014, 7:26 am
#958
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Aug 24, 2014, 7:46 am
#959
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,603
If you are talking about getting to/from the lounge as a connecting passenger, TG and LH are generally better experiences compared to EK where you are pretty much on your own. And as an originating passenger, it is hard to beat the LH FCT.
But once in the lounge, IMO, it is not even close. The new EK FCL is far superior to the TG FCL at BKK. IMO, it is also better than any of LH's FCLs but that can be a personal thing. I do prefer the intimacy of the FCT. Combine that with private check-in and security and limo transfer to your plane, I would personally give the FRA FCT the nod as the best lounge/departure experience anywhere.
Aug 24, 2014, 9:19 am
#960
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 759
OK, now I get it. You were ticked off about having to pay for your Cuban.
If you are talking about getting to/from the lounge as a connecting passenger, TG and LH are generally better experiences compared to EK where you are pretty much on your own. And as an originating passenger, it is hard to beat the LH FCT.
But once in the lounge, IMO, it is not even close. The new EK FCL is far superior to the TG FCL at BKK. IMO, it is also better than any of LH's FCLs but that can be a personal thing. I do prefer the intimacy of the FCT. Combine that with private check-in and security and limo transfer to your plane, I would personally give the FRA FCT the nod as the best lounge/departure experience anywhere.
If you are talking about getting to/from the lounge as a connecting passenger, TG and LH are generally better experiences compared to EK where you are pretty much on your own. And as an originating passenger, it is hard to beat the LH FCT.
But once in the lounge, IMO, it is not even close. The new EK FCL is far superior to the TG FCL at BKK. IMO, it is also better than any of LH's FCLs but that can be a personal thing. I do prefer the intimacy of the FCT. Combine that with private check-in and security and limo transfer to your plane, I would personally give the FRA FCT the nod as the best lounge/departure experience anywhere.
(Have only connected through though)