to be or not to be - to upgrade or not to?
 

Hello everyone,

i have just found out that my class of fare does not entitle me to a hotel stay or lounge access.. my itinerary is BHX-DXB-LHE . I land at DXB at 0720 HRS and fly off at 2200 HRS so i could definitely do with some food and rest.

If i upgrade my DXB-LHE ticket to a business class ticket...will i get access to the lounge? and also, upgrading using 12,500 miles or not upgrading and using the Diner's Club lounge (paying the fees....supposedly 55AED) ....which one's the better option?...suggestions, advice, help ....everything/anything welcome :)

Firstly, yes, if you upgrade your onward flight from DXB you are entitled to lounge access, whether with cash or miles.

Secondly, and more importantly, any lounge is going to get boring if you have that long a layover. Since it's during the day, it's a great opportunity to spend some time in Dubai. Go to the malls to avoid the heat.

12,500 will only upgrade you on the LHE sector, it will be another 25,000 to do the BHX. If lounge access is your only concern then I would save your miles and pay for one of the other lounges as T3 business isn't that fantastic due to passenger loads. Its a spectacular lounge just too busy!

As you are transiting in the day why not skip the lounge and do some sight-seeing in spectacular Dubai?!

Shakespeare
 

And I thought that Shakespeare was looking for an upgrade on EK:confused:

your luggage will be checked in durding the whole trip, right? so just go outside and spend some time at dubai.
it is very interesting and definitly worth looking around. little hint: it is damn hot in this city so prefer the malls for shopping/walking around :D

Alternatively, get a day room at one of the hotels near the airport. Lounge by the pool all day, and have a nice meal before your flight to LHE.

I'd recommend the Le Meridian or Al Bustan Rotana. Both very nice with loads of restaurants (probably 20+ between them).

The day room will probably cost less that the upgrade :)

Cheers,
Rick

The way they've changed flex and saver fares; i think even Shakespeare would've been asking around for help :) (all in good humour)

Thank you all for your most valuable suggestions...i think the best thing to do is to roam around Dubai...although i don't think the miles are of any use to me as i have around 14k which is not gonna make me a silver anytime soon and they expire around july this year...

In that case, upgrade anyway. But for the lounge issue, I'd be more inclined to upgrade on the BHX-DXB sector (if they have the new J seats) instead of the much shorter DXB-LHE sector.

But he can't with only 14,000 miles - he'd need to buy a minimum of 11,000.

Yea, I meant either upgrade the DXB-LHE, or buy the difference required and upgrade the BHX-DXB. Really all depends on availability.

And failing all of that, I'm sure there would be people on this forum kind enough to take the miles off the OP.

I've decided to go around Dubai on my own while the mile have been used (plus some cash) to buy a gift for family :)...all sorted out now!...Flying off in 33 hours! :)

Please don't tell me you wasted miles on Emirates High Street? That's worse value for money than redeeming for Y class tickets!

Whats done is done i guess :)...i'll ask for a more whollistic advice the next time i travel :)