How early can I check into my Dubai flight and use first class lounge?
#61
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#62
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But if I do buy a ticket, say, DXB-DOH just to get into the airport say 16 hours before my flight, do you think I'd get lounge access for my later real flight, DXB-USA first class A380?
#63
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I was about to question whether you really really are serious about wanting to spend 16 hours at DXB - given that my own boredom threshold at airports (even when having access to F lounges) kicks in at anything over two / three hours. But then I somehow remembered that you actually enjoy doing this sort of thing at other locations, and indeed a quick check of past posts reminded me that you once spent thirty hours at SIN - entirely by choice
Have fun (rather you than me ..... !!)
They do say that everyone needs a hobby
Have fun (rather you than me ..... !!)
They do say that everyone needs a hobby
#64
Join Date: Jul 2003
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I was about to question whether you really really are serious about wanting to spend 16 hours at DXB - given that my own boredom threshold at airports (even when having access to F lounges) kicks in at anything over two / three hours. But then I somehow remembered that you actually enjoy doing this sort of thing at other locations, and indeed a quick check of past posts reminded me that you once spent thirty hours at SIN - entirely by choice
Have fun (rather you than me ..... !!)
They do say that everyone needs a hobby
Have fun (rather you than me ..... !!)
They do say that everyone needs a hobby
#65
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#66
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In my case, I was told that since I am not in transit I cannot get a room in the hotel. My goal is a 16-hour experience in DXB with first class lounge access. I'll try the online boarding pass to see if I can circumvent the 2 (or 3?) hour restriction for USA-bound pax.
But if I do buy a ticket, say, DXB-DOH just to get into the airport say 16 hours before my flight, do you think I'd get lounge access for my later real flight, DXB-USA first class A380?
But if I do buy a ticket, say, DXB-DOH just to get into the airport say 16 hours before my flight, do you think I'd get lounge access for my later real flight, DXB-USA first class A380?
If you don't have one, you can ask EK premium checkin staff for an exception. They will escort you through the control of the airport. But :
- i hit once a refusal because it was 13 hours to 14 hours prior to flight (airport rule is no more than 8 hours), meaning EK team have a limited tolerance depending on the EK agent etc
- for a US bound flight, there might be additional issue : such as getting a BP before 2 to 3 hours. I only took one flight from DXB to the US: no online checking, and desk did open a few hours before departure. As you need a valid BP to enter (no matter EK help). I would think you won't be able to go 17 hours in F lounge with that kind of flight.
- unless you buy and forgo a oneway ticket to DOH/BAH/MCT for the cheapest visa free flights.
Last edited by mogoy; Jul 25, 2016 at 3:19 am
#67
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
In my case, I was told that since I am not in transit I cannot get a room in the hotel. My goal is a 16-hour experience in DXB with first class lounge access. I'll try the online boarding pass to see if I can circumvent the 2 (or 3?) hour restriction for USA-bound pax.
But if I do buy a ticket, say, DXB-DOH just to get into the airport say 16 hours before my flight, do you think I'd get lounge access for my later real flight, DXB-USA first class A380?
But if I do buy a ticket, say, DXB-DOH just to get into the airport say 16 hours before my flight, do you think I'd get lounge access for my later real flight, DXB-USA first class A380?
At outstations this may vary, some do, some don't, but there are moves in the works to standardise the policy potentially...
#68
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If you have a valid boarding pass for DXB-USA then you can access the lounge no problem if you get airside, up to 24hrs before the eligible flight departure. Getting the boarding pass is the potentially tricky part (although for a through connecting flight a few months ago it was issued at the outstation ~10hr before the onward to the US).
At outstations this may vary, some do, some don't, but there are moves in the works to standardise the policy potentially...
At outstations this may vary, some do, some don't, but there are moves in the works to standardise the policy potentially...
#70
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#71
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#73
Join Date: Jul 2003
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I made an entry 17hours before flight but that with a Dubai hotel reservation.
If you don't have one, you can ask EK premium checkin staff for an exception. They will escort you through the control of the airport. But :
- i hit once a refusal because it was 13 hours to 14 hours prior to flight (airport rule is no more than 8 hours), meaning EK team have a limited tolerance depending on the EK agent etc
- for a US bound flight, there might be additional issue : such as getting a BP before 2 to 3 hours. I only took one flight from DXB to the US: no online checking, and desk did open a few hours before departure. As you need a valid BP to enter (no matter EK help). I would think you won't be able to go 17 hours in F lounge with that kind of flight.
- unless you buy and forgo a oneway ticket to DOH/BAH/MCT for the cheapest visa free flights.
If you don't have one, you can ask EK premium checkin staff for an exception. They will escort you through the control of the airport. But :
- i hit once a refusal because it was 13 hours to 14 hours prior to flight (airport rule is no more than 8 hours), meaning EK team have a limited tolerance depending on the EK agent etc
- for a US bound flight, there might be additional issue : such as getting a BP before 2 to 3 hours. I only took one flight from DXB to the US: no online checking, and desk did open a few hours before departure. As you need a valid BP to enter (no matter EK help). I would think you won't be able to go 17 hours in F lounge with that kind of flight.
- unless you buy and forgo a oneway ticket to DOH/BAH/MCT for the cheapest visa free flights.
#74
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#75
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I can't remember the exact scenario, but he had an original flight say from India - Dubai - Doha, but then needed to get to the US instead. So, he bought a Dubai - US ticket.
Guess which one EK cancelled?
So, they must have some process that detects this.
Thus, it may be work buying a DXB-DOH return that would arrive back to DXB before your flight to the US. But, if you didn't use it, maybe the EK process would also pick up on that?