Jun 12, 2019, 11:57 pm
Last edit by: extramileage
From around the 10th of June 2019 it has been observed that Emirates is marketing a new fare brand "Business Special". The introduction of a new fare bucket on the GDS with identifier "H" was first observed by m3red several weeks prior, speculation was that this might relate to Premium Economy. This fare bucket appears, however, to be intended for deep discount Business Class.
Restrictions:
- no chauffeur drive
- "restricted" seat selection (per website: "Complimentary for all passengers choosing a seat after check-in opens. Emirates Skywards Platinum members can select a seat any time")
- no lounge access
- no ability at all to upgrade with miles
Skywards:
- Earns at the same rates as Y Flex Plus
- Cannot redeem miles to book this fare brand
- Cannot upgrade with miles from J Special to F in any circumstances
Restrictions:
- no chauffeur drive
- "restricted" seat selection (per website: "Complimentary for all passengers choosing a seat after check-in opens. Emirates Skywards Platinum members can select a seat any time")
- no lounge access
- no ability at all to upgrade with miles
Skywards:
- Earns at the same rates as Y Flex Plus
- Cannot redeem miles to book this fare brand
- Cannot upgrade with miles from J Special to F in any circumstances
New Business Class Fare Bucket
Jul 16, 2019, 9:26 am
#91
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester/London
Programs: Skywards Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,227
MAN - BKK is as you have quoted, 50 quid less for the special. So as already stated, no lounge (if no status), No CD, seat selection only from check in and one that I don't think has been mentioned... a change fee of 500 quid!!
Jul 25, 2019, 3:51 am
#92
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hoosier in Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, UA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 576
Can anyone confirm you still get lounge access in DXB and the returning lounge if you are Gold with these special fares? Not too bothered with the limo as my company picks up the taxi anyway but do think their lounges are better than the credit card ones. I just checked for my next trip to FRA and it's AED2,000 less than saver and I know our company travel agent will book the lowest fare.
Jul 25, 2019, 3:57 am
#93
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: UK
Programs: Etihad Gold, Qatar Gold, flying Blue, Falcon, Lufthansa, Eva
Posts: 1,428
Can anyone confirm you still get lounge access in DXB and the returning lounge if you are Gold with these special fares? Not too bothered with the limo as my company picks up the taxi anyway but do think their lounges are better than the credit card ones. I just checked for my next trip to FRA and it's AED2,000 less than saver and I know our company travel agent will book the lowest fare.
Complimentary lounge access for you and one guest in all Emirates Business Class lounges in Dubai and worldwide
Jul 25, 2019, 4:08 am
#94
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hoosier in Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, UA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 576
I was hoping that was the case but just wanted to confirm.
Jul 30, 2019, 2:34 pm
#96
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Aug 6, 2019, 6:00 pm
#97
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: michigan
Programs: miles and more
Posts: 72
Lounge Acess IS IMPORTANt
It seems to me that the airlines don't want the business of the leisure traveler. My wife and I like to travel; in business class when we go on long haul holidays. We stopped using BA because we could no longer book our seats and I guess we will now no longer use Emirates for the same reason. We plan our holidays well in advance and like the comfort of knowing we will be in our prefered seats.
Being leisure travelers we do not get the chance to build the miles to obtain seat booking and lounge access that the business traveler gets and then uses for their private travel.
I suppose it all depends on how much more expensive the "with frills" seats are!
Being leisure travelers we do not get the chance to build the miles to obtain seat booking and lounge access that the business traveler gets and then uses for their private travel.
I suppose it all depends on how much more expensive the "with frills" seats are!
Aug 6, 2019, 6:35 pm
#98
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
You do not have to switch - you can look at the total price of fare including seat assignment and see whether it is better value than another carrier. Does it matter that BA charges if the fare including seat assignments still makes that route the better value.
Aug 7, 2019, 2:33 am
#99
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Scotland
Posts: 377
Exactly we are in the same position as the poster however as our status is low but as Dave Noble says we take the total cost into account..
Last edited by argonath; Aug 7, 2019 at 2:34 am Reason: bad grammar
Aug 18, 2019, 1:34 am
#101
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: AS MVP, EK Silver, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 921
USA's been hit by this...
I found H fares from IAH, DFW, MCO, and FLL to HYD. West coast has been spared, so far... at least for my travel dates. I often look at other low-demand gateways that might save me $2-3k if I position there before heading to Dubai.
They're about $150 less than the O fares. The arranged chauffeur drive in HYD is worth its weight in gold with how seamless it is, so I will definitely not be choosing H fares. Unfortunately, my company TA website shows H fares... and doesn't allow upfaring
Have to call in to upfare to O.
I found H fares from IAH, DFW, MCO, and FLL to HYD. West coast has been spared, so far... at least for my travel dates. I often look at other low-demand gateways that might save me $2-3k if I position there before heading to Dubai.
They're about $150 less than the O fares. The arranged chauffeur drive in HYD is worth its weight in gold with how seamless it is, so I will definitely not be choosing H fares. Unfortunately, my company TA website shows H fares... and doesn't allow upfaring
Have to call in to upfare to O.