Pay to use Emirates business class, first class lounges at Dubai
By David Flynn, January 13 2017
UPDATE 2019 | Emirates will now let weary travellers pay their way into its airport lounges in Dubai and around the world, regardless of their frequent flyer status or class of travel.
The Gulf airline and Qantas partner is charging Skywards members without lounge access US$105 (A$150) for four hours' access to its business class lounges, and US$210 (A$300) for the first class lounges. Business class travellers can also pay their way into the first class lounge for US$105.
If you're hanging out at the Dubai Concourse B business class lounge, we suggest you make a beeline for the Moët & Chandon champagne bar and the selection of canapés created to complement each champagne.
(Travelling on holidays with your kids? Children aged 2-12 years pay half the above rate, while infants under two years get into the lounge free.)
If you happen to stay more than four hours, even due to "flight disruptions and delays", Emirates reserves the right to hit you up for an additional US$100 (for the business class lounge) or $200 (in the first class lounge) to cover a further four hours.
Skywards Gold and Silver members, who already enjoy access to Emirates’ business class lounges at Dubai, can also plonk down US$105 to be upgraded to the airport's sprawling first class lounges and tuck into their extensive food and drink selection.
Non-Skywards members can purchase access in Dubai only at higher rates – that's US$130 (A$186) for business class lounges and US$250 (A$$357) for the first class lounges. If you're not planning on attaching another airline's frequent flyer number to your Emirates booking, then it's highly advisable to sign up for Skywards Blue and link that to your booking to save up to $57 on lounge access without any other work.
For selected Emirates lounges around the rest of the world, such as Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, Skywards Silver and Blue passengers can part ways with US$100 (A$143) for access, while Gold, Platinum, business and first class guests can pay the same to bring in extra guests above their entitlement. You'll need to be travelling on an Emirates flight, as the terms & conditions make no exception even for the flights of Emirates' partner Qantas.
Note that you'll need to be an entry-level or Blue member of the airline's Skywards frequent flyer scheme to buy your way into these worldwide lounges.
(Fortunately, you can sign up for Skywards online, and there's no cost – but this shouldn't be something you do while you're at the airport).
Naturally, the pay-to-enter lounge access is "subject to capacity restrictions", so a series of delayed flights – as can happen during the UAE's winter fogs – could see some would-be lounge lizards stuck on the wrong side of the door.
Additional reporting by Brandon Loo
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Did they get something from VA's books that we don't know of yet?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
Hmmm. I can see that for up to four hours between flights such as a transit, US$100 would be worth it for many people if you could take a shower and enjoy a good meal and a few drinks and find a comfortable place to sit, recharge your iPad etc. US$200 for first class a bit harder to justify even though the food and drink is much better. Not sure how Emirates will be able to police that four hour rule, are they going to have staff randomly checking guests?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Who would want to spend more than 4 hours in a lounge?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
Somebody who has a transit time of longer than four hours between flights, like QF1 to anything, and also many EK services to destinations served by just one or two flights a day. Or somebody stuck in the lounge for longer than planned owing to delay or cancellation of their EK flight, as the article mentions.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 501
Maybe they'll give guests a card or something that starts the clock when you enter the lounge. It would be connected to your FF number and all details and maybe GPS so you don't runaway with it to avoid the fee
01 Feb 2013
Total posts 26
Not sure you would even get a shower. Recent trip to LHR with a Dubai Stopover and access to the First Class lounge when trying to get a shower booking - no luck. All booked and the lounge mostly empty. Good luck with extra guests.
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 113
Comes back to the theme of business travel in economy - how you can have the best experience. With the $100 claimable then this is another win for economy on business. Air France allows paid for access to ivory level Flying Blue members already as an FYI.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
The EK Dubai lounge for all it's glitz and glamour and huge size has a woeful shortage of showers. Unless you have a long layover the waiting list us usually so long you will be boarding before your turn is available.
15 Jan 2017
Total posts 2
I couldn't agree more! I've had eight 2-3 hour stops in Dubai over the last couple of years and I've never been able to get a shower in the business lounge. No such problem in Singapore, Hong Kong etc. And the queuing system is rather chaotic. Your name gets added to a list and they say they will find you but you have to sit nearby and there's not many places to sit nearby. Why they can't give you a pager like other lounges is a mystery to me.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Oct 2013
Total posts 111
Why can't they install more showers? Ridiculous queue system after 14hr flight from oz onto Europe of course people want a shower! Install more emi
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
Jeez what a rip...i once paid AU$40 for 8hrs in AKL airnz lounge which was far better value
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
"on an Emirates flight" does this mean with an EK flight number or on EK metal or both?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
According to https://www.emirates.com/au/english/skywards/about/membership-tiers/lounge-access-terms-and-conditions.aspx "This benefit of paid lounge access is available only at Emirates Lounges at Dubai International Airport and only in case onward travel is on an Emirates flight." It isn't any more specific so if you're thinking of using this feature maybe contact Emirates for clarification.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Hope this doesn't create a less than Business or less than First appearance or feeling. I think EK are very brave allowing punters to buy their way into First in particular.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
Ill be sure to wear my best pair of thongs and singlet
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 190
don't have any idea when this pics were taken but if you've ever been in the business class lounges in Dubai -it's always overcrowded-now the 'plebs' can buy their way in-can't believe it that emirates is so desperate to grab the cash-business class lounges should be only available who purchase a business class ticket after all we pay at least 2-3 times more for the privilege,the first class lounge is exactly the same on the lesser terminalB minus the crowd but to pay an extra 133AS it"s ridiculous for already flying business class people.Probably will fly via Doha with Qatar in the future
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