UC Fares to Dubai

Can anyone tell me whether the current UC fare to Dubai in June/July of 1555 is a good rate. I'm not sure whether to book now or wait another month or so.

Classybird

Classybird,

Doesn't sound too bad.

I have booked U/C outbound (Z) and PE inbound (K) for around £1100 in early May.

Return in U/C (Z both ways) was around £1600.

I assume as it gets hotter demand drops off and fares reduce.

If you have the ability to book now I would. I think the sale has been and gone (please correct me someone).

Good luck

Jeremy

[mitchja]

I might be a bit out here but £1555 sounds a lot to me for a Z return to DXB [:0] [:?]

Last time I booked a Z return to DXB it was <£1200, OK so it was back in 2006 and for travel in March/April time.

Regards

I know back in 2006 there were some cracking UC fares to Dubai as the route was still a new one for VS and they were looking to build up trade.

My parents went to Dubai late on in 2006 in UC (on Z fares) for little more then the cost of one return business fare on EK. Sure, they had to shell out for their own CDC down to/from Heathrow, but they were still quids in.

James

I think you got a very good deal James.

I have been monitoring the prices for April 08 since October and the only real change was £100 off the PE fare during the sale (reduced to around £650 for certain April dates).

We usually go away around Easter time, but the problem I had with Dubai was the hotel prices in March/April; around £267 pn for a beach hotel.

Flight prices have remained reasonably static (generally around £750 for PE) but hotels reduced to around £100 pn outside of March/April school holidays - hence we are going in early May???

Our upgrade to Upper was a recent addition.

Jeremy

Jeremy

we got Upper fares to Dubai in Feb half term last year, got them for around £1000 can't remember exactly but it was when the route was very new and I'd got an email with the catchy tag line 'you say hello, we say Dubai!' Also if I remember rightly the email came around Easter of 2006 so I paid well in advance for them. Now I look occassionally and there's never anything so cheap! Have you looked at Silverjet, I looked the other day for my friend to go around now which is still school Easter holidays in some areas and it was about £1100 return.

Lynne

Originally posted by billybob
Jeremy

we got Upper fares to Dubai in Feb half term last year, got them for around £1000 can't remember exactly but it was when the route was very new and I'd got an email with the catchy tag line 'you say hello, we say Dubai!' Also if I remember rightly the email came around Easter of 2006 so I paid well in advance for them. Now I look occassionally and there's never anything so cheap! Have you looked at Silverjet, I looked the other day for my friend to go around now which is still school Easter holidays in some areas and it was about £1100 return.

Lynne

Silverjet have a great service to Dubai - apart from their legendary inflight service and fab food & wine, you arrive at private terminal at DXB - no queing for anything (we just sat down with a cold drink - passports were check by staff and luggage brought to our car) then stolled out into the silverjet comp merc to the hotel. Return jouney just as effortless and fun. All this for £999 return.

Regards,

HG

Yes, if I were thinking, I would have look at Silverjet. That is a very good deal and much cheaper than VS.

At the time of booking, I didn't want to spend more than the PE fare however things changed and my reaction was to upgrade.

Saver fares for my dates and suggested dates of 7/6 to 14/6 can still be had for less than £1k each - worth considering Classybird.

Kicking myself now????

The only issue with SIlverjet is the wedgie bed. A consideration if you want a decent nights kip.

Originally posted by Swanhunter
The only issue with SIlverjet is the wedgie bed. A consideration if you want a decent nights kip.

Please tell me what the wedgie but it please ?

The beds were 100% comfortable for me to sleep in - but hey I may have a bit more padding than you !!?? [:p]

Originally posted by hackneyguy

Originally posted by Swanhunter
The only issue with SIlverjet is the wedgie bed. A consideration if you want a decent nights kip.

Please tell me what the wedgie but it please ?

The beds were 100% comfortable for me to sleep in - but hey I may have a bit more padding than you !!?? [:p]

They slope slightly. You slide down, giving you a wedgie.... The sort of thing nasty kids at school used to do to, involving pulling underwear very tight. [V] [:0] [:D]

I'm not keen on that design of seat full stop having flown CX, SQ, NH, QF and a couple of others, not to mention the unlamented J2000.

Originally posted by Swanhunter

Originally posted by hackneyguy

Originally posted by Swanhunter
The only issue with SIlverjet is the wedgie bed. A consideration if you want a decent nights kip.

Please tell me what the wedgie but it please ?

The beds were 100% comfortable for me to sleep in - but hey I may have a bit more padding than you !!?? [:p]

They slope slightly. You slide down, giving you a wedgie.... The sort of thing nasty kids at school used to do to, involving pulling underwear very tight. [V] [:0] [:D]

I'm not keen on that design of seat full stop having flown CX, SQ, NH, QF and a couple of others, not to mention the unlamented J2000.

As someone who noticed something round my nither regions I would have noticed and my (now ex) partner my smile ! [:I] We found the seats flat just like the BA ones and slpet perfectly well on them - no sloping involved

Thank you all for your comments. Now I have another dilemma! Silver Jet vs Virgin.[:?] Having only ever flown UC once,(round trip to Miami), I was rather looking forward to a few long and lazy hours sampling the delights of the clubhouse, plus of course, a treatment at the Cowshed.[^]. As the Dubai flight is a late evening one, I was hoping to spend at least 4 hours there! I was also going to treat us to a chauffeured car with my miles.

Having read some of these comments re Silver jet, I just don't know how it compares to Virgin. Although the price difference is quite significant, travelling to Luton Airport does not appeal.

Can anyone enlighten me on the lounge facilities at Luton and Dubai airport.

This is a surprise holiday for my husband. (His 50th) and I would like it to be very special. We shall be staying at the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel and the Burj El Arab (1 night only I hasten to add).

Classybird

Classybird,

My view for what it is worth.

Silverjet is much cheaper than UCS - however,

You can pay for a CDC to Luton else take the train to Luton where you will be met at the rail station by Silverjet reps. Luggage taken and put in one of their Silvedr cars to thier private terminal. Enter the termanal, have a drink whilst a checking rep sits with you and goes through the formalities. Get ther 45 mins before the fight - spend the rst of the day at the office or in bed !.

Board direct from the lounge into the jet and the serivce is superb as is Le Caprice food - yum.

Land at DXB private terminal - board form the airbridge to the lounge where you will get a cool drink (your passort will be checked, stamped and luggage fetched to the car while you wait - you do NOTHING) - leave the lounge direct into your car to the hotel. Couldnt be easier and not a que in sigh.

Oh almost forget - return journey just as effortless; how real remier travel used to be !

Enjoy

Sounds a very good alternative to me especially as DXB T1 is not for the faint hearted. Last nights experience there was not pleasant.

Iain

Originally posted by classybird

I was also going to treat us to a chauffeured car with my miles.


Classybird

CDCs for miles redemption can only be booked with a miles reward fare (not a purchased cash fare) so if at least one of the passengers travelling isn't on a G (either pure miles or eligible Econ/PE fare upgraded with miles), this won't be possible.
DL

Hello
Just paid £2,353 for two including tax etc[8D]
LHR to DXB UC 07/06/08 on a Z
DBX to LHR PE 15/06/08 on a K

Unfortunately booked just after sale and could have got UC return for £1305[;)]

Dragonlady,

Your answer has swayed me towards booking with Silverjet.

It will be a totally new experience for both of us and reading all the comments posted here I am really looking forward to it.

Classybird

I flew Silverjet to NY a few months ago, and thought it was excellent. Not quite UC but superb value.

I would keep an eye on their financial situation though - especially if your booking is several months in the future, as there may be some risk. They are currently in negotiations to be bought (announced yesterday) and there was much speculation they will run out of money later this year if they don't raise more or be bought out.

Originally posted by gameswolverine
I flew Silverjet to NY a few months ago, and thought it was excellent. Not quite UC but superb value.

I would keep an eye on their financial situation though - especially if your booking is several months in the future, as there may be some risk. They are currently in negotiations to be bought (announced yesterday) and there was much speculation they will run out of money later this year if they don't raise more or be bought out.

Gee, thanks for that snippet of information. Just when I thought I had it all sorted!!

Classybird

Sorry, I thought I better say something just in case. It seems unlikely they'll go pop, but their competitor Maxjet went under last year.

If it was me, I'd chance it, especially if the flight is in the next few months. They are very good.

There is more info here, if it helps ;

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 723391.ece

Well, I have finally booked my flights, after weighing up the pros and cons. I am flying UC (J) with Virgin on 28th June. As I had 2 Companion rewards just waiting to be used, I managed to secure husbands ticket with one of them. I decided that 4 CDC trips plus several hours in the CH and a couple of treatments would make it more special. Although Silverjet was very appealing cost wise, I took into account the extra spent on CDC to Luton and return.Also, I had a look on their website and found the angled flat beds, the seating configuration, on board facilities etc, not to my liking. I have also read some trip reports on other forums that recent trips were not very good, so all in all, Virgin wins hands down. [y]

I have also booked into the Hilton Dubai Creek and the Burj. If anyone has stayed in either recently I would appreciate any info and tips that could be useful.

Classybird[:X]

Hi Classybird

Congratulations. I booked a couple of UC tickets to Dubai last week too (great sale they have going at the moment - I was waiting for that to come along... [}:)] ). We are staying at the Dar al Masyaf in August.

Haven't stayed at the Burj, but did enjoy dinner there last year - at the Al Iwan buffet restaurant (after reading lots of reviews that the signature restaurants are very overhyped/priced). Al Iwan was VERY good. However I hear that the Burj has opened a new Asian influenced buffet called Jinsui (or something similar) which is supposed to be amazing. We intend to try that this trip and possibly go back to Al Iwan too.

Check out the Tripadvisor Dubai forum (if you haven't already) - LOTS of information there [:)]

Boo

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by classybird
Well, I have finally booked my flights, after weighing up the pros and cons. I am flying UC (J) with Virgin on 28th June. As I had 2 Companion rewards just waiting to be used, I managed to secure husbands ticket with one of them. I decided that 4 CDC trips plus several hours in the CH and a couple of treatments would make it more special. Although Silverjet was very appealing cost wise, I took into account the extra spent on CDC to Luton and return.Also, I had a look on their website and found the angled flat beds, the seating configuration, on board facilities etc, not to my liking. I have also read some trip reports on other forums that recent trips were not very good, so all in all, Virgin wins hands down. [y]

I have also booked into the Hilton Dubai Creek and the Burj. If anyone has stayed in either recently I would appreciate any info and tips that could be useful.

Classybird[:X]

Hi Classybird

Aer John and I stayed in the Hilton Dubai Creek about a month ago. Given that it was our second time there - well that says it all. I posted a review here on V-flyer 2 years ago and there is very little that I would alter on it. Here'sthe link.

I also posted pictures of the lobby in the Hotel section of the photo gallery last week or thereabouts

We stayed at the Hilton on the creek over xmas while I was very impressed with the hotel I was not with the pool, very small and packed over the holiday period.Location was not good either would have preferred to have been on the beach or downtown.