[Ahmad]

Received a mailshot from Emirates today advising that I can use their DXB lounges on payment when travelling on EK or QF and can also invite an unlimited number of guests.

For those interested in the small print, here are the terms and conditions:

*Terms and conditions apply:
• Please note that if you are flying on an airline other than Emirates, or on Emirates Codeshare flights operated by any carrier other than Qantas, then your companion(s) will not be eligible for this lounge access.
• There is no change to the current entitlement for complimentary lounge access for any Emirates Skywards members.
• Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold and Silver members can pay for additional lounge access beyond the complimentary benefit applicable to their membership tier. Blue tier members who would otherwise not be entitled to complimentary lounge access can purchase lounge access.
• Based on a member’s current tier entitlement, Platinum, Gold and Silver members may choose to pay for additional companion(s); Blue tier members may choose to pay for lounge access for themselves and their companion(s); Gold and Silver members may choose to pay and upgrade their complimentary Business Class lounge access benefit to the First Class lounge.
• This benefit is available only to members for themselves and any additional companion(s) they wish to bring along, provided their companion is also travelling onwards on the same Emirates flight; this benefit of paid lounge access is available only at Emirates Lounges at Dubai International Airport.
• DXB lounge access fees: First Class Lounges: USD 200; Business Class Lounges: USD 100; The Emirates Lounge: USD 100.
• Fees to upgrade from Business Class lounge to First Class lounge: USD 100.
• The fees are applicable for one-time access per adult for a maximum stay in the lounge of 4 hours only.
• Members choosing to pay for lounge access will have to ensure that payments for the entire duration until departure time are made to the lounge staff prior to admittance.
• Members (including their companions) exceeding a 4-hour stay in the lounge for any reason whatsoever (including without limitation flight disruptions and delays) shall incur an additional lounge entry fee for each 4-hour segment at the rates set out above.
• Paid lounge access per child aged below 12 years will be charged at half the adult rate set out above. Infants aged below 2 years will enjoy complimentary lounge access.
• Payments can be made at the respective lounge using a Credit/Debit card only (no cash payments or Miles redemption will be accepted).
• Refunds are not permitted once the lounge has been accessed, irrespective of the duration of access.
• The use of the lounge is subject to any applicable terms and conditions as determined by Emirates from time to time.

[Tom Otley]

Here’s the story

Emirates allows paid-for access to its Dubai lounges

[Ahmad]

Sorry Tom I missed the story and went straight to the Forum after reading the email.

[Cashsuds]

That is a fantastic idea! Sometimes I pay to get into “generic” lounges and its’s more of a glorified privilege with bad food and poor service.
Emirates has a great lounge and access charges present great value!!

As a “blue” card holder, I was invited free to the lounge and allowed to bring other guests at a small fee!!

This is great – as I have top status with Star Alliance and this encourages me to “try” other airlines !!

Unlike China Airlines. – I travelled biz with my partner with her kid (on Y) but wasn’t allowed access to the biz lounge for her kid!! So we all decided not to use the lounge!! Big Deal!!

[Flightlevel]

EK looking at more ancillary income though it seems good value for infants under 2 years since their alcohol consumption should be low! One can often use paid lounges for less than $25 that are basic and adequate for short stopovers so they must be impressive at $100!

[Cloud-9]

The price tag ensures only the rich plebs use the lounges 😉

[Ahmad]

[quote quote=786217]EK looking at more ancillary income though it seems good value for infants under 2 years since their alcohol consumption should be low!

[/quote]

Infants under 2 have complimentary access!

[nevereconomy]

Should be interesting to see the $200 crowd trying to drink enough fizz to make it worthwhile.
I suspect this move may have some negatives down the line……

[Ahmad]

[quote quote=786332]Should be interesting to see the $200 crowd trying to drink enough fizz to make it worthwhile.
I suspect this move may have some negatives down the line……

[/quote]

Not sure whether all the other facilities like the spa etc. are included in the $200. Doubtful, but if they are it would be interesting to see how much it dilutes the experience for First travellers.

[Krsnp]

Great idea to generate ancillary revenue, but I’m not sure if EK premium passengers would be okay with it. I’m afraid the lounges would end up being a tourism attraction with tourists snapping loads of pictures and selfies and perhaps also gulping down as much as they can, having paid a considerable amount of money for access. Not trying to sound like a snob here, but it’s natural that anyone would want to make the best of what they have paid for.

[LuganoPirate]

I’m flying EK first in 2 weeks time. My son will be in Economy and I asked the local EK office if he’ll be allowed in the lounge with me.

From the answer given I understand that only people accompanying first class passengers on the same flight will be allowed in after paying the fee. I don’t think anyone can just turn up, pay and enter.

I’ll know for sure in a few weeks.

[Ahmad]

Do let us know LP. If one goes by the mail sent to me and the terms and conditions on the EK website, it appears that any Skywards member and their companions (if travelling on the same EK flight) can avail the facility on payment.

[esselle]

I’m not really concerned that folk paying $200 will get lashed to ensure value for money; if they do, they will not get very far as inebriation is not accepted in the UAE, airport or not.

[LuganoPirate]

I’ll let you know Ahmad.

I just don’t think many will pay just for some free champagne Esselle. $200 will buy a lot of duty free champers and food, more than one could consume, so I think it will only be used by those who have friends/family traveling in the First cabin.

We shall see!

[PegasusAir]

My concern is that their Business Lounges are already very full certainly at peak transfer times – 4 of us recently were unable to sit together during the 0100-0300 melee which of course happens but without more seats this may result in a reaction from Business fare-paying passengers although I suspect the charge may be somewhat of a deterrent.

[Author]

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