Hi,

Are the rules for STPC listed anywhere on the Emirates website?

I've booked a ex-CAI F class trip next year that has a 10 hour layover in DXB. I phoned yesterday and they said that ex-CAI flights were not eligible for STPC.

On the return from MEL, I also have around 10 hours. Again they said the ex-MEL flights are not eligible.

I can't believe this is correct...

The other option I have is to book into the hotel that is airside at DXB. Does anyone know if this can be pre-booked, or do you just turn up and book a room for x hours? Anyone know the approximate prices?

Cheers,
Rick

I would not recommend that. I stayed in the airside hotel for around 8 hours and the hotel was no less than $150 USD. (It was something like $20 USD an hour)

The Le Meriden right across the street provides much better comfort and it will be around the same price.

The rooms are adequate but have no windows (some have windows looking in to the airport departure area)

Cheers

Thanks for that. Actually, $20 per hour does not seem too bad for the extra convenience of not haveing to go landside. Did you just turn up and request a room, or book it in advance?

The hotel prices in Dubai seem to have rocketed recently. I used to be able to get the Le meridien Fairway for AED300 a night. It seems more like AED700 now. This is the same with the other hotels I've stayed at.

Cheers,
Rick

You can just turn up and request a room.

Cheers

You might try calling EK res in a different location and see if they say the same thing -- assume you're traveling on some sort of special travel agent/group fare? You might also consider EK's special Stopover Packages (see their website), which provide pretty good rates for hotels in Dubai.

Nope, this is a full price F fare booked on the EK website! I'll try phoning the Dubai office and see what they say. I asked about the stopover packages, but the agent didn't really know what I was on about (this was the Manchester office).

Just found the prices of the Airport hotel on the website, they're bloody outrageous!!!

'Deluxe single room costs as per the time slot are US $ 51/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 41/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm while Double rooms costs as per the time slot are US $ 62/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 52/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm.'

Cheers,
Rick

As far as I know..if there is another flight you could have taken ( and probably made ur transit time in DXB less than 8 hours, this condition applies to CAI-MEL but NOT to MEL-CAI) then you can not get a hotel room outside the airport, BUT you can get the following:

1- a free limo transfer from/to the airport to any place u wana, shopping or hotel or watever
2- yu can stay in their "FULL HOTEL STYLE DOUBLE bedrooms" in the first class lounge..which is extremely good. I am not sure if you can book those in advance.

talk or email customer relations section..they are far more helpful than some of the offices around the world !!!

good day

WOW!! That is outrageous

I have on several occasions fought this out with Emirates in CAI in DXB. The "rules" seem to be interpreted in a funny way, as i understand it any ticket bought that fulfills the requirements concerning the number of hours between arriving and departing into DXB should qualify, i believe it is 10 for Y and is it 6 or 8 for C and F, but once i was told that my ticket does not qualify another time that the routing did not qualify. However on one occasion I did get it on a CAI-DXB-DAR ticket in F, but when flying CAI-DXB-NBO some months later it was not issued... Strange world...

Correct -- you must be booked on the next possible connecting flight in order to receive the free hotel stay -- it's 10 hours for Y pax and I think 6 for C and F pax. If the next nearest connecting flight doesn't have space, thus forcing you onto a later flight, EK will NOT give you the free hotel. The Meridien (for C and F pax) very frequently sells out, and they will put you in the "Emirates Commercial Wing" of the Millenium Hotel -- it is a DUMP!! (very uncomfortable beds ... similar to a cheap USA motel -- remote control is bolted to the table, etc.) If you are spending $$ to fly F, and they will not give you the free room, spend a few $ on their Stopover Package -- since you're flying F and J, EK WILL provide car service to/from your hotel.

Good luck

I didn't encounter any problems getting the STPC for the Le Meridien DXB on my trip CAI-DXB-SYD in F in January (10 hours layover) except that I had to ask for it specifically when tickets where issued at EK's CAI Le Meridien office well in advance. The agent put a remark into my PNR and on the day of my trip the EK agent who delivered my boarding passes to me at CAI's infamous "transit lounge" brought the voucher with him.

Does anyone know what the STPC accommodation (i.e. which hotel) is for Y passengers and whether there are any other inclusions (meals, transfers etc.)

Thanks

"Emirates Commercial Wing" of the Millenium Hotel. The hotel will give you vouchers for appropriate meals.

Are these available for long connects (12hours+) in Dubai for pax on EK-UA RTW's in J class ?? Looks like I have two NASTY long connections in Dubai and was thinking of re-reouting to avoid --> a hotel may make it easier..

Thanx

yes -- EK/UA RTWs do qualify. You can also use limo service in cities where they offer it.