Emirates Business Class To Dubai, Up to 5 People
Emirates business class has become a tough award to book to Dubai. However, in this case, it's not because Emirates isn't releasing award space. Instead, it's because the steep award rate paired with steep surcharges makes it tough to stomach booking.
Fortunately, Air Canada Aeroplan provides an option that doesn't include the surcharges. Depending on the date and route, the award rates can be a bit steep but it can still be a great way to book if you want to try Emirates on their Airbus A380 and their inflight bar!
Now, let's get into the details.
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DC Meetup - RSVP Today!
If you're in DC, come hang out with some fellow points and travel enthusiasts! Bring a friend or likes points, or who needs to learn about points!
- Location: Red Bear Brewing
- Date: August 31, 2023
- Time: 6:30pm to 9:30pm ET
Please RSVP so I can get an accurate head count. Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Meetups
I'm currently finalizing locations for the following meetups on the west coast:
- Seattle: September 8 (Evening - TBD)
- San Francisco: September 9 (Afternoon - TBD)
- Los Angeles: September 10 (Afternoon - TBD)
I'll have more details for you shortly!
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: IAD/IAH/JFK/LAX/SFO/YYZ-DXB
Operating airline: Emirates
Class of service: Business class
Dates: February - April 2024 (some fall 2023)
Seats available: 2 (up to 5)
Cabin layout: 1-2-1 (A380)
Book with (per person, one-way):
- *Air Canada Aeroplan:
- IAD: 105,000 points
- IAH: 119,000 points
- JFK: 102,700 points
- LAX: 121,500 points
- SFO: 118,800 points
- YYZ: 103,000 points
- Emirates Skywards:
- IAD/JFK/YYZ: 138,000 miles (one-way); 174,000 (round-trip)
- IAH/LAX/SFO: 157,500 miles (one-way); 198,000 (round-trip)
- JAL Mileage Bank:
- JFK/YYZ: 80,000 miles (one-way); 100,000 miles (round-trip)
- IAD: 80,000 miles (one-way); 110,000 miles (round-trip)
- IAH/LAX/SFO: 85,000 miles (one-way); 130,000 miles (round-trip)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer:
- JFK/YYZ: 104,500 points
- IAD/IAH/LAX/SFO: 119,200 points
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees one-way (per person):
- From US: ~$32.60
- From DXB: ~$72
- Surcharges: $805 both directions
Aeroplan has a C$39 (~US$29) partner booking fee.
Bank transfer partners:
- Air Canada: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- Emirates: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Marriott
- JAL: Marriott
- Qantas : Amex, Capital One, Citi, Marriott
Let me know if you book!
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Flight Experience
Emirates first class gets all the press, but business class on the A380 is still a great option for a trip to Europe. The business class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout so everyone has direct aisle access and a lie-flat seat.
However, the big selling point on the A380 is the world-famous inflight bar at the rear of the cabin. Definitely worth hanging out at the bar with your friends - or, new friends you've just met - while having a drink.
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IAH-DXB
January: 17, 29, 30
February: 5, 12, 20, 21, 26
March: 4, 13, 18, 24, 27, 31
April: 4, 16, 20, 22, 25
July: 23, 24
DXB-IAH
August: 25, 28, 29
September: 18, 21
October: 18
April: 9-11, 17, 18
May 22, 28
SFO-DXB
February: 6, 12, 14
March: 11-13, 18, 25, 31
April: 4, 5, 8-11, 16, 18, 21-23, 25, 29, 30
May: 7
July: 22-24
DXB-SFO
September: 1, 3
JFK-DXB
April: 15, 22, 29
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IAD-DXB
January: 22, 23
February: 20
March: 26
April: 4, 7, 9-11, 16, 22-24
May: 7
DXB-IAD
September: 3
October: 11
LAX-DXB
September: 13
April: 3, 4, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21-23, 25
DXB-LAX
September: 4
YYZ-DXB
October: 3
April: 1, 3, 7, 11, 14, 29
DXB-YYZ
April: 1, 3
June: 25, 26
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Best Ways To Book
Air Canada Aeroplan: Best Award Rate
Aeroplan is your best option for a one-way award starting at 102,700 points from JFK with no surcharges. If Aeroplan sees award space for some seats but you need more, it might make sense to book what you can with Aeroplan then book the additional seats with Emirates Skywards.
In most cases, this will be your best option if you have Amex, Bilt, Capital One, or Chase points.
Emirates Skywards: Access To More Award Space
While the Emirates Skywards award rate is often a better option if booking round-trip, you'll want to consider whether $1,700+ taxes/fees is worth it.
Skywards members do get access to additional award space so this could come in handy if Aeroplan doesn't have access to award space on your preferred travel dates.
I don't think this is going to be a great option for many people.
Emirates Skywards+
Emirates offers three tiers of Skywards+ subscriptions. The Classic option is $399 per year and the one that might be worth considering as this membership provides a 20% discount on one Skywards Classic Reward each year.
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How To Book
I would search with Air Canada unless booking with Emirates Skywards:
- Select One-way or Round-trip
- Select Book with points
- Enter origin/destination
- Select travel date(s)
- Select number of passengers
Once you know the exact dates you want to fly, you can search with Emirates, JAL, or Qantas.
If you'll be booking with Emirates miles, run a search with Emirates as you may find additional dates with award space.
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Final Thoughts
The Emirates business class bar easily makes this one of the most fun options for flying to Europe. The fact that award space is so wide open makes it even better, esp. if you want to travel with friends and family.
If you can find award space with Aeroplan, you can save a ton by avoiding the steep surcharges imposed by Emirates.
Happy booking!
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