Emirates Frequent Flyer

[Fireman Sam 336]

Hi boardies,

 

I normally fly with China Airlines via Amsterdam. I fly 5-6 times per calendar year and i'm a gold card member with them. Due to the price slowly creeping up, decreasing service levels and more miles being required to obtain a free upgrade, i am thinking of changing my allegiance to Emirates.

 

I have booked with Emirates for my June/July trip via Manchester £494.00. Just wondered what board members thought of their service levels, ease of free upgrades or free tickets etc, etc. Yes i have joined Skywards already.

 

Is the Manchester 14.05 flight always busy, i expect the Dubai to Bangkok sector to be full most of the time.

 

Regards

 

Fireman Sam

 

Edited May 18, 2007 by Fireman Sam

[lustyles 1]

ive been with emirates for 3 years, good flight,good everything, flights are always full, use them regular and get your silver card, then you can upgrade to buisness class, also with a silver card you can go in the lounge and get free drinks and food, i like emirates, top class....

[player 1]

Sam,

I am also a China Airlines Gold Card flyer and looking at changing, same as you, only I fly from the USA. United Airlines seems to be my second choice.

 

China Airlines prices have increased to the point they are now very close to United and China Airlines frequent flyer miles are now given back at only 80% of miles flown for internet purchased tickets (United is 100%).

 

Good luck!

Edited May 8, 2007 by player

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Not only are both the MAN and BKK legs normally heavily booked the 777 aircraft they use on both routes are mostly in a high-density (charter) configuration i.e. 3-4-3 rather than the 3-3-3 operated by almost all other regular airlines on long-haul routes. Other than that, the service is good and Dubai airport is OK (the new, Emirates dedicated terminal is due to open sometime towards the end of this year).

 

Emirates will start receiving its A380s next year and the BKK route is likely to be one of the first to benefit.

[Chivas 0]

I have around 31,000 miles on skywards which wont increase as have switched allegiance to Etihad as my reserve carrier (to Eva).

 

Am quite happy to trade those airmiles (if Emirates allow it) with yourself or anyone else.

I did email skywards in Manchester re this before but didnt get an answer.

 

Chivas

[vegaheart 0]

Emirates will use the first A380's on their LHR-DXB routes. Not sure if they will operate it on MAN-DXB, or DXB-BKK, but that DXB-BKK flight is always full every day so it wouldn't surprise me.

[Fireman Sam 336]

Thanks for the replys.

 

 

Not only are both the MAN and BKK legs normally heavily booked the 777 aircraft they use on both routes are mostly in a high-density (charter) configuration i.e. 3-4-3 rather than the 3-3-3 operated by almost all other regular airlines on long-haul routes.

 

Cheshire Tom, do they use the same aircraft with the same configuration from their other UK depature points, i am flying from Aberdeen so no real hassle leaving from any UK airport except Glasgow ironically enough (three hour train journey involved). Although i prefer to give Heathrow a miss if possible.

 

 

I have around 31,000 miles on skywards which wont increase as have switched allegiance to Etihad as my reserve carrier (to Eva).

 

Am quite happy to trade those airmiles (if Emirates allow it) with yourself or anyone else.

I did email skywards in Manchester re this before but didnt get an answer.

 

Chivas

 

Chivas i only have 30,000 miles (enough for one way upgrade from Amsterdam) left in my China Airlines account so would be no use to yourself on EVA or Eithad. I think China allow transfers of mileage but unsure of the rules.

 

I have just heard good reports about Emirates but will find out for myself in June, although a long time since i did the stop over in the middle east.

 

Edited April 29, 2007 by Fireman Sam

[TheFiend 1,181]

I have booked with Emirates for my June/July trip via Manchester £494.00. Just wondered what board members thought of their service levels, ease of free upgrades or free tickets etc, etc. Yes i have joined Skywards already.

 

Is the Manchester 14.05 flight always busy, i expect the Dubai to Bangkok sector to be full most of the time.

 

Regards

 

Fireman Sam

 

 

Twice flown with Emirates from Manchester.

 

Flew out last November and had a window seat with 2 empties beside me, so it is not always busy. But you will find the Bangkok leg is always packed.

 

For my next trip, on May 16th, I am flying with Emirates with from Birmingham.

[knortyboy 155]

I've been flying with Emirates for several years now and the service is acceptable now but not a patch on what it used to be.

[vidman 2]

The glasgow departure always has empty seats and since they allow online seat booking 24hrs before departure, it is possible to bag yourself 3 empty seats (with a little luck on your side).

 

The bkk leg is always full to bursting and sometimes they have the old tv system which is not "on demand".

 

On the plus side, once your a silver card member then you can check-in through the business desk (and use the dubai lounge)