Arabian Airpass
 

Need some help/clarification from the EK brain trust..

I'd like to schedule a J flight DXB-DEL-DXB.. and would like to make use of the arabian airpass.

Once in DEL the plan would be to purchase in Y a DEL-DXB with a final return to DEL in a year or so.. the final return leg will be skipped.. this is purely to qualify for arabian airpass.

Now.. Is it possible to return to DXB on my original J flight.. while also qualifying for the arabian airpass offer (since I will book the Y ticket on the same flight)? or must I travel to DEL 1 way, and purchase the return.

Hope this makes sense..

The rules for the current Arabian Airpass are here:

# Arabian Airpass travel coupons are valid for travel only in conjunction with international tickets issued by Emirates and originating outside the Gulf and Middle East.
# Arabain Airpass travel coupons may only be purchased outside the Gulf and Middle East.
# A minimum of two coupons and a maximum of six coupons may be purchased in conjunction with each international ticket.
# The minimum value of the international ticket must not be less than USD 500.

The pass is actually linked to your international ticket which needs to originate outside of the Middle East and be at least $500 in order for you to qualify. The ticket would have to start in DEL and be at least $500 for you to qualify.

I understand the rules.. however.. what i'm asking is if I can fly on both a J and my Y ticket.. this way the international will still be valid..

You see what I mean?

You would clearly not be following the rules. The Arabian Airpass is an extension of your international ticket and will appear in the same record. Thus your Arabian Airpass would be linked to your Y ticket from DEL to DXB. If you used another ticket to get from DEL to DXB, then your Y ticket would be canceled and the Arabian Airpass would be invalid. EK specifically offers this for people originating outside the region and it is similar to a visit USA pass which can not be used by US citizens or a Visit Europe pass which can only be used by people originating outside Europe that are not citizens of Europe.

ok.. seems i will get a one way y ticket and upgrade.. and then buy a del-dxb-del ticket.. and the del-dxb leg in J.

thanks..

If both of the DEL-DXB tickets are on the same class, you could check in for both tickets, then the agent will give you a boarding pass while blocking the seat next to you; both tickets will appear as flown.

But if they are different classes, then most likely this will be a no go.

thanks edy.. seems you knew exactly what i was talking about..

i think the cheapest option would be to go on a one way (economy and use miles for upgrade).. and then buy a ticket.. if possible.. DEL-DXB in J and a return DXB-DEL in Economy.. I should hit the $500 limit and be eligible for the Arabian Airpass then.

So now.. where to go? CAI is definite.. and am also thinking AMM to check out petra..

anyone got any recs?

Have one more question.. and didn't want to start a new thread..

I am heading to DEL this weekend.. and will be purchasing my tickets + airpass.

here is how i plan to book my flight.

DEL-DXB : 4th December
DXB-DEL : Furthest date possible.

Once I reach DXB on the 4th of December.. is it required of me to immediately go to my next destination? For example, Cairo? Or can I make the Cairo booking for January/February?

You can fly the Arabian Airpass any time you like within a 12 month timescale. You just have to make sure that you fly before the return leg of your original journey. Also try to get an FA class ticket and not an A class Arabian Airpasss

thanks Gorilaz.. thats what i thought but wasn't sure.

excuse my n00bness.. but FA class?

Revitalizing this old thread since I could not find the information: which booking codes does the Arabian Airpass book into for first, business and economy coupons? I suppose discounted fare codes (e.g., A), correct?

Also, for mileage purposes, do coupons count as saver or flex?

Yes it is A for First not sure about J & Y.

They count as saver for tier/skywards miles.

Anybody know if the Arabian Airpass offer will be renewed for another year after 31 March 2011?

A quick note about the booking codes. It is by definition the same ones used in the main booking. If the airpass is booked in a lower cabin, then it's the J or Y.

As for next year's, no word on it yet. But I'll let you know towards mid March when I do my next set of bookings.