Turning GOLD
Oct 25, 2005 | 10:39 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
The e-gate is by far the best part of emirates gold. although I have heard that anyone can simply pay a small fee and get egate access.
Anyway, the office they tell you to use is actually after customs. However, I got my card activated just before passport control at a very inconspicuous but convenient location.
When you get to the top of the last escalators just before passport control, turn to your left. At the very end of the line of counters, is a desk with a guy (no sign, nothing.) He has a camera and tripod for taking a picture (of your passport picture - bring one - and bring the gold card). I then had to get my passport stamped by another guy in a little room. The whole thing took 10 minutes.
The guy stamping my passport actually constituted passing through immigration, so if you are immediatley connecting onward make sure that you proceed on through customs and then exit the country officially again. I did not when I did it and had a real hitch when I tried to enter the next time (It was as if I was supposed to already be in the UAE).
The card is great. never a hitch since.
Anyway, the office they tell you to use is actually after customs. However, I got my card activated just before passport control at a very inconspicuous but convenient location.
When you get to the top of the last escalators just before passport control, turn to your left. At the very end of the line of counters, is a desk with a guy (no sign, nothing.) He has a camera and tripod for taking a picture (of your passport picture - bring one - and bring the gold card). I then had to get my passport stamped by another guy in a little room. The whole thing took 10 minutes.
The guy stamping my passport actually constituted passing through immigration, so if you are immediatley connecting onward make sure that you proceed on through customs and then exit the country officially again. I did not when I did it and had a real hitch when I tried to enter the next time (It was as if I was supposed to already be in the UAE).
The card is great. never a hitch since.
Oct 25, 2005 | 3:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by Whatever...
The e-gate is by far the best part of emirates gold. although I have heard that anyone can simply pay a small fee and get egate access.
Anyway, the office they tell you to use is actually after customs. However, I got my card activated just before passport control at a very inconspicuous but convenient location.
When you get to the top of the last escalators just before passport control, turn to your left. At the very end of the line of counters, is a desk with a guy (no sign, nothing.) He has a camera and tripod for taking a picture (of your passport picture - bring one - and bring the gold card). I then had to get my passport stamped by another guy in a little room. The whole thing took 10 minutes.
The guy stamping my passport actually constituted passing through immigration, so if you are immediatley connecting onward make sure that you proceed on through customs and then exit the country officially again. I did not when I did it and had a real hitch when I tried to enter the next time (It was as if I was supposed to already be in the UAE).
The card is great. never a hitch since.
Anyway, the office they tell you to use is actually after customs. However, I got my card activated just before passport control at a very inconspicuous but convenient location.
When you get to the top of the last escalators just before passport control, turn to your left. At the very end of the line of counters, is a desk with a guy (no sign, nothing.) He has a camera and tripod for taking a picture (of your passport picture - bring one - and bring the gold card). I then had to get my passport stamped by another guy in a little room. The whole thing took 10 minutes.
The guy stamping my passport actually constituted passing through immigration, so if you are immediatley connecting onward make sure that you proceed on through customs and then exit the country officially again. I did not when I did it and had a real hitch when I tried to enter the next time (It was as if I was supposed to already be in the UAE).
The card is great. never a hitch since.
How did you get it done so quickly? Were you there at peak times? (Late night, Early Morning)Yes, I agree... the egate is definately an amazing innovation. The fee to use it if ure not EK gold though is tiny.
Cheers
Dec 4, 2005 | 4:01 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,775
When I made silver I had my card exactly one week later.
I think it came from Melbourne
I would have imagined that when I reached gold that It would be just as quick
But
alas still no gold parcel 2 weeks after making it so maybe it comes from DXB 
I hear that it comes fedex or the like.
I think it came from Melbourne
I would have imagined that when I reached gold that It would be just as quick
But
alas still no gold parcel 2 weeks after making it
so maybe it comes from DXB I hear that it comes fedex or the like.