I will be travelling on EK C for the first time in August the routing is PVG-DXB-MXP/NCE-DXB-PVG. I would like to hear from people who have travelled on these sectors to find out what to expect. Would also like to hear about any hotel recommendations (5 star) in DXB as I am planning 2 nights stopover on the way up.

Its hot in Dubai so i would stay somewhere at the Jumeirah beach area. I would personally chose Mina A Salaam or one of the other Madinat Jumeirah properties.

In Dubai there is a hotel for almost every type of vacation
here are my recommendations

Tranquility

Al Maha (1hr from Dubai)

Beach

Le Meridean Beach Resort and Spa

Shopping

Sofitel City Centre - connected to one on the biggest malls in Dubai

City

Fairmont Dubai

Luxury

Burj Al Arab

hope this helps

EK reservation and ground services are terrible. Be 100% sure that you read the small print and firmly insist on service you are privileged and entitled.

I would have to disagree. In my experience, I have found EK ground service to be the best of any airline. Their reservation team are helpful and kind, and they offer all sorts of perks to C passengers, such as louge, free limo in many cities, and more.

I also disagree on the "fine print". Most airline when flying in Business Class offer privleadges with conditions and restrictions, eg Air Canada - you only get bonus miles when flying in fully flexible J and Virgin - only get a limo when flying fully flexible Business

EK offers ALL its priority perks to ALL of its Business / First class passengers regardless of how they got their tickets. If you have a business class ticket - whether by confirmed upgrade, with miles, a free ticket, whatever, the will award you bonus miles (unless you have paid with miles), arrange the limo, give you priority where ever you deserve it.. the whole 9 yards. I have never been denied the privaleges i have been entitled to

I got off the phone with EK confirming my First Class seats JFK - DXB. The agent informed me that I should take advantage of their dine & fly program which allows me to visit the city NYC during my layover... eat at the Ritz ... and have a limo provided by EK take me back to the airport.

I would have to pay for my transportation to the Ritz. I inquired about that applying to mileage awards. She confirmed.... all first class tickets are offered all of the benefit... regardless of payment.

I agree with sadiqhassan about the EK service except the CSRs on telephone are sometimes not that helpful or informed. But other than that he is right.

EK ground service is absolutely terrible in Ghana. Worst experience I have ever had so far with an airline. DXB and FRA service is perfect though.
I am still not too sure about the confirmed upgrades and how many miles they ll award. Just recently called their hotline and was told that you only get miles for the class you pay not the class of service... but will find that out very soon...

I find EK staff at the outstations to be very mixed. It seems to me that they often pick the less popular ground handling agents, presumably save a few $$$'s but it reflects badly as a result.

I recall being less than impressed at KUL (where the transfer desk was simply unstaffed) and BHX (where the queue for C Class check in was quite long, yet none of those pax were in the very quiet C cabin on the flight).

However, elsewhere they seem to work well and offer a good service. To universally shout down the carrier is wrong and I have to agree they are very generous with the perks, regardless of whether it's a full fare, heavily discounted one or even a free ticket.

EK in Germany staffs their own counters and has excellent CSR via the phone. Excellent service.

In India they use AI as the ground handling and have one or two supervisors walking around. Horrible service. We had a technical in BOM and were treated like dirt.