C21 lounge has the best wine fridge (maybe not now I've given it away). Probably because it doesn't get the traffic and so the good stuff lasts longer there...

It also has the best tarmac views, if that's your thing. Smell of smoke a little too prevalent when that area is used though.

A for showers, B for food, C for wine.

See what you mean.
Do agree about the view in particular.
In my experience C can get a tad noisy and the smoke smell, like you brought it up, not exactly ideal, but overall do like your A-B-C's

Hi All
I wanted to report back on my time in DXB. I ended up staying in the A lounge as It was so nice and convenient. I also got my steps in walking around and ended up passing 3000 steps. I circled the lounge at least 3x.

I really enjoyed how much space there was, it definitely wasn't crowded, but it probably wouldn't feel crowded at peak hours. I loved how soothing it felt, the comfy chairs, the food selections were awesome. I wasn't that hungry but of course I still had to eat. I went to both big dining rooms, but didn't order off the menu.

I did take a shower, the room was clean, and I was happy to feel clean. I didn't try and get a massage. The shopping looked great, I looked at the jewelry but didn't see anyone working.

I ended the night in the nap room, it was comfy and I dozed for 30 minutes and then off to A11 to wait for my flight. There were only 2 of us in F and I think the other passenger was a movie director.

F was great in the cabin, but a 4 hour flight at that hour didn't give me enough time to really take it all in. I actually thought the business seat for sleeping on the way over was a bit more comfortable.

I really enjoyed it all. thank you so much!!!

Next question - I am leaving from Bangalore at 4:30 AM. I was thinking of going in the night before around midnight to stay in the lounge. My J ticket doesn't include lounge access for my return, but I have Centurion access. Is the Emirates lounge worth paying for in Bangalore or would the Amex lounge be a good experience?

My advice - leave BLR on the 8:50pm and hang out at DXB instead, the airside hotel is quite nice... and I've heard really good things about the Plaza Premium lounge which you should have access to.

Or better yet, the 5:10pm and actually spend time in Dubai before your next day ~9am to SFO.

I've done the "wait around in India until 4:30am" thing and it's not fun.

That's a great idea! I am going to look into it. I think with my Business Special ticket, I may not be able to make a change, but going to try! What a great idea.

Is that enough time to go into town to grab dinner and catch the next flight?

There doesn't appear to be a 17:10 flight at the moment? EK565 seems to be at 10:25 most days, 08:00 on some days.

That would be an option for an afternoon out in Dubai.

The lounge in BLR is very busy after midnight since there is only one international lounge. I�d heed the prior advice of taking the 8/9 pm departure and killing time in Dubai if your schedule allows.

aside from the time, the aircraft will also be different. The 380 operates the overnight flight. Call me crazy but I prefer the 777 J seat to the 380. 380 is too tight in the shoulders when horizontal!

Thanks all! Most likely I will have to stay until original flight- I am here for work and we have a meeting that will run past 6:00 PM.
I had checked into the cost $600, so I will suck it up. My plan will be to head to the airport around midnight and use either the Amex Priority Lounge or pay for Emirates.

You all were super helpful and I wish I could spend time in Dubai. Next trip for sure!

There is no Emirates branded lounge in BLR. In fact, there is only 1 international lounge period. You�ll end up in the same place so save your money if you get access via priority pass.

that may change when t2 comes online for international traffic but it�s true for now.

good to know. thank you!

Oops! I was looking at "general" timetables for BLR, not day-specific. I was surprised that a non-BOM/DEL city was 4-daily as well

Not sure how much control you have over your travel bookings, and I'm sure you're well aware now, but try to avoid Special... the upcharge to Saver from SFO is usually but not always 2-300 USD and you get lounge access and Chauffeur Drive which is really handy in India. Ask your company travel agent to look at O (as in Oscar) fare class next time for Saver fares (specials are "H" fare).

I made it home! I couldn't get on the earlier flight, so did spend midnight to 4:30 AM in the BLR International Lounge. It wasn't great, but better than sitting in the terminal. I landed in F at DXB and had to get to B in 20 minutes. Luckily a few of us got a ride to the next terminal (then waiting for 2 hours on the tarmac)

My company bought my ticket and I wanted to save $ where I could. They covered the fist 5K, so I already paid extra to get the saver ticket on the outbound. I bought the saver ticket for the way out as I wanted the lounge access in DXB for the 7 hour layover and the driver once in Chennai, for the way home, I had a hotel car service in my package and live in SF, so getting home was easy. I also had not time for the layover in Dubai.

But I agree, for the extra money, being able to upgrade, car service and no worry lounge access is the way to go. I was able to upgrade for the DXB to MAA leg to first with AMEX points I transferred, so glad I got to experience the cabin suite, but at 2:30 AM for a 4 hour flight, I mostly slept through it.

You all have been super helpful and net/net had a great experience

Hope it�s ok to piggyback here. Looking to connect from Europe through DBX to HND this spring. Have checked a dozen origin airports and they all seem to arrive either in the 10pm-midnight slot for ~8-10 hr layover or very early morning for a quick 1.5 hour layover.

Had considered the former and maybe heading into town for a bit (never been) but sounds like the Burj Khalifa will be closed by the time I�d get there and not sure what there might be if interest going on around midnight. Also sounds like from this thread and others that things get pretty packed in the lounge during the same hours so that might not be so enjoyable either� perhaps best to just take the short layover? Is there much walking that would cut into that 90ish minutes or is there time to grab a massage?