Dubai Connect / STPC
Nov 5, 2012, 9:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
Dubai Connect / STPC
I was browsing my bookings on emirates.com and found an itinerary that stated it "Qualifies for our complimentary Dubai Connect service" (14 hour layover at DXB).
Never having used this service before I rang the Indian Call Centre and was told that my fare class (W) is not eligible for this service. Just seems a little strange to get a message that the service is available and then be told I can't use it.
Does anyone know what the actual eligibility rules are for the "Dubai Connect service"?
Never having used this service before I rang the Indian Call Centre and was told that my fare class (W) is not eligible for this service. Just seems a little strange to get a message that the service is available and then be told I can't use it.
Does anyone know what the actual eligibility rules are for the "Dubai Connect service"?
Nov 6, 2012, 7:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: KYE
Posts: 4,156
Dubai Connect
Just noticed this today while making a booking with EK:
Connection
9 hr 0 min Qualifies for our complimentary Dubai Connect service
As a special courtesy to our passengers, where an itinerary requires a long stopover in Dubai, Emirates will provide accommodation, meals, ground transportation and visas at no extra cost. Dubai Connect must be pre-booked 24 hours prior to departure and is subject to availability.
After your flight booking is complete, you can book Dubai Connect when managing your booking on Emirates.com
Something to do, perhaps with the QF alliance? Wanting to standardise the process?
Connection
9 hr 0 min Qualifies for our complimentary Dubai Connect service
As a special courtesy to our passengers, where an itinerary requires a long stopover in Dubai, Emirates will provide accommodation, meals, ground transportation and visas at no extra cost. Dubai Connect must be pre-booked 24 hours prior to departure and is subject to availability.
After your flight booking is complete, you can book Dubai Connect when managing your booking on Emirates.com
Something to do, perhaps with the QF alliance? Wanting to standardise the process?
Nov 7, 2012, 12:08 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
Nov 7, 2012, 12:14 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
It is possible that STPC may be specifically excluded in the fare rules for the specific fare you have purchased, or alternatively that the itinerary was not STPC eligible for some other reason.
Or simply that the agent was wrong.
Nov 7, 2012, 12:27 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: BA Gold | SK Gold | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,553
Last I checked it wasn't a fixed set of booking classes but different booking classes depending on your point of origin.
Nov 7, 2012, 1:21 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
On a more general point, I am thininking of upgrading my onward flight from DXB to I class. I assume that I would still not be eligible for Dubai Connect.
They do play hardball, don't they? It's all take and no give.
Nov 7, 2012, 2:34 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Nov 7, 2012, 5:36 am
#11
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
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No, upgrades are eligible - they get the same benefits as revenue
Nov 15, 2012, 11:55 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
So I am now upgraded to I class, but still can't get the benefits.
I've spoken to EK SYD who have told me that my flights are not eligible (just a throw-away line really).
Rang the ICC later (see post below) and got a different story again.
Makes you wonder!
I've spoken to EK SYD who have told me that my flights are not eligible (just a throw-away line really).
Rang the ICC later (see post below) and got a different story again.
Makes you wonder!
Last edited by Budley; Nov 16, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Nov 16, 2012, 10:54 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
Rang the Indian call centre again today. Got a different story this time. Apparently there is nothing wrong with my itinerary, but I was told there is a rule that the ticket must have a purchase cost of at least USD 1,100. Mine cost $1,000 + 50,000 miles for the upgrade - how much did that cost?
I guess everyone here knew about the minimum cost rule.
I guess everyone here knew about the minimum cost rule.
Last edited by Budley; Nov 17, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Dec 29, 2012, 11:56 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
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Posts: 9,689
Does this mean that the website may be wong? I am looking at a JFK-DXB-JED ticket in X class (pretty much the lowest class) and it shows "qualifies for dubai connect service."
Even weirder, on the return, MED-DXB-JFK, I can choose a 5 h layover or 11. If I pick the 11 it shows "qualifies." (!)
If I can get a hotel I will take the 11 hour wait, if not I will pick the 5h one.
Even weirder, on the return, MED-DXB-JFK, I can choose a 5 h layover or 11. If I pick the 11 it shows "qualifies." (!)
If I can get a hotel I will take the 11 hour wait, if not I will pick the 5h one.
Dec 30, 2012, 11:37 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Not "may be wrong" but rather "is wrong".
I had a 19-hour voluntary layover in DXB a few weeks ago routing JNB-DXB-BOM and the website said that I was eligible for Dubai Connect. I didn't expect it to be but asked anyway at the hotel counter and was told that it was a common website glitch.
There were at least 2-3 other people there arguing that Emirates should honour the website misinformation, but they were largely ignored.
I had a 19-hour voluntary layover in DXB a few weeks ago routing JNB-DXB-BOM and the website said that I was eligible for Dubai Connect. I didn't expect it to be but asked anyway at the hotel counter and was told that it was a common website glitch.
There were at least 2-3 other people there arguing that Emirates should honour the website misinformation, but they were largely ignored.