FlyerTalk Forums - Dubai Connect / STPC

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Quote:

Originally Posted by S c 0 TT y (Post 31041736)

Refurb completed

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...828b3bfe4.jpeg

Wonderful! I have my first Dubai Connect coming up next month so looking forward to checking it out if I get the Le Meridien. Does anyone know what the F&B options are like for Dubai Connect passengers during Ramadan - same as normal (but presumably without the option to buy alcohol)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost_in_translation (Post 31045240)

You can buy alcohol after dark (6pm I think) in all the bars and restaurants at Le Meridien. You get a choice of the restaurants, and the voucher gets you 2 courses.

The only real difference is that there is no live music.

As DYKHIA said - business as usual in the PM but no music or clubbing.

(I'll be there in 10 days and I am always keen for my after work beer)

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Originally Posted by Duck1981 (Post 31042468)

Good point - just doing the same (from BAEC Silver to EK Silver) but unfortunately I am subject to a challenge (2 Eco Flex/ Flex Plus returns or 1 Business return). Might be as they have matched me 3 years ago to Silver and was not holding the status; so always worth a try.

This is a new development, haven't heard of challenges from EK yet. Probably for the best... the weird thing was they granted me a match that was less than 12 months long (they did it from the first of my flights with EK for the preceding 13 month period), so I essentially only got 8 months out of it. I won't be flying enough this year to qualify for both AS and EK elite status so I'll focus on AS and let EK lapse.

I have a Casablanca - Beirut flight soon. Will have a 6:15hr transit in DXB. Am on a Qantas award tkt in J on both sectors.
1. Is it worth the Dubai Connect for that amount of time?
2. If it is, can I ask for the airport hotel instead of Le Meridien so as to stay airside (less hassle + more sleep time?)
3. Dubai Connect was offered on the Qantas MMB but not Emirates MMB, is that normal for QF award tkts?
4. All it said it was booked no voucher issued. I'm guessing I get that at check-in in Casablanca or in Dubai on arrival at a service desk or lounge?
5. Or should I forget the STPC and just go to a day bed in F lounge? (how quiet or busy are they at 1:15 AM - 6AM?)

Thanks for any help. Haven't had an STPC in years. I try to avoid unless they are in a nice city AND 20 - 24 hrs in length.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedar Jet (Post 31062724)

1: Not in my opinion. You loose a total of up to 4 hours getting from flight to hotel and back. I had 8 1/2 hours a few weeks ago and it was marginally worth it (the breakfast buffet at the Meridian helped in that respect).
2. As far as I am aware the answer to that is ‘no’.
3. Don’t know
4. Yes, you get the voucher at the check in of your flight into DXB.
5. F lounge seems the best option her!

Thanks for this mate ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by skywardhunter (Post 27773706)

I'm surprised you found it so difficult.

The bank stamp is for nationalities that require a visa, Emirates pays the visa fee via the bank who need to record that you have paid with the stamp, for immigration authorities to know that its paid.

I am glad to know this. I am American and do not need a visa for UAE, but my friend who needs a visa is flying Africa-US-Africa soon, and he qualifies for Dubai Connect on his return trip. I read on Emirates' website that they cover the visa, but I wasn't sure how it works. I'll let him know this.

Quote:

I've always found the entire process very simple and streamlined (vs. the 2h wait I had with EgyptAir last month just to process the hotel voucher).

EgyptAir's system is very poor! Last summer a group of us traveled US-West Africa-US on EgyptAir. We had an overnight layover in Cairo both ways. And yes, the service was poor! We waited a couple hours both times. It's a good service (noun) they provide, but ruined by the customer service (verb).

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Originally Posted by Will08 (Post 30444934)

This was only my second time using Dubai connect, the first time being around two years ago. The process was really smooth, I landed at a good time to get straight through customs and was in the hotel in no time. I was only there around 6 hours in the end but I got up early and made use of the breakfast in the hotel as I am not a fan of the lounge food.

This brings about a question - what is the longest Dubai connect you have had? A 10 hour connection involving a two hour delay in the initial departure meant this wasn't quite long enough. Has any one had a Dubai connect lasting over 24 hours?

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Originally Posted by skywardhunter (Post 30444952)

that shouldn't be possible except for bad IRROPS on the onward

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft101 (Post 30445094)

I don't know if there are any, but what about two places, both served less than daily?

It seems to me that a layover over 24 hours could qualify for Dubai Connect if the departing flight would be say 10 minutes after arrival. Because a 10 minute connection isn't possible, the forced layover would be 24h 10m.

hi, just wanted to know if I would get hotel accommodation with a stopover over 8hrs . ? ( flying business class )

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Originally Posted by Ashp (Post 31132239)

hi, just wanted to know if I would get hotel accommodation with a stopover over 8hrs . ? ( flying business class )

It depends... Dubai Connect is available if there is no other shorter connection available. If you choose to make the connection over 6 hours, then it won't be offered.

I am flying SFO-KIX in F and have been offered Dubai Connect. However, the transfer time is about 7 1/2 hours. Not really sure if it is worth it. If I take the voucher upon check in and decide not to use it, should I inform someone or just let it slide. I am leaning on not taking it as I can shower, eat, relax in the lounge there.

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Originally Posted by hijiji (Post 31257032)

No need to inform anyone, they don't actually book a room in your name or have a driver waiting, it's all assigned on arrival, EK keeps a block of rooms (or entire wing at Le Meridien) available

Quote:

Originally Posted by hijiji (Post 31257032)

That's plenty of time to see the Burj Khalifa if you have not yet done so. The SFO-DXB flight arrives around 7pm IIRC (which is morning in the US any way). You can take a chauffeur drive to and from the Dubai Mall (pickup from the hotel in the mall). Then there's plenty of time for the F lounges. I think I ended up spending 2.5-3 hours at the Dubai Mall and the Burj. I even called for an early pickup and they sent a driver.

Hi All,

Not sure if this belongs in the CD forum. Wanted to know if anyone has experience with CD in Dubai since the new rule went into effect regarding upgrades. I have STPC reserved but cant use CD because it's an upgrade. Is there a shuttle for Y passengers as they are not usually sent to Le Meridien. I know I could end up at the Copthorne but if im not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq747 (Post 31276528)

Hi All,
Not sure if this belongs in the CD forum. Wanted to know if anyone has experience with CD in Dubai since the new rule went into effect regarding upgrades. I have STPC reserved but cant use CD because it's an upgrade. Is there a shuttle for Y passengers as they are not usually sent to Le Meridien. I know I could end up at the Copthorne but if im not?

Good question... this would also apply to Business Special fares.