V-Flyer

Probably of most interest to James, Sky, Honey Lamb, and any others doing the DXB thing ...

Just spoken to Premier, i would advise anyone who cannot access their DXB flight details from the VS website to call Flying Club if they have not called you, as there has been a schedule change.

I was informed of the following:

Friday departure scheduled: Departs LHR 20.10pm (arrives DXB 06.20am)
Friday departure amended to: Departs LHR 21.00pm (arrives DXB 07.10am)

Tuesday departure scheduled: Departs DXB 15.00pm (arrives DXB 19.30pm)
Tuesday departure amended to: Departs DXB 14.35pm (arrives DXB 19.10pm)

Obviously, i cant guarantee that this wont change again, or that my flight details are the same as anyone else (if you are flying to/from DXB on different dates), all im saying is that this is what i have been advised by Premier.

If i find out any more, i will let you know.

Hi Sarah,

I noticed that now as well as I am still trying to book up for the 31st/3. Noticed that it came up with 2 dep times as you mentioned for the VS400.

Don't suppose you know of any good rates for hotels at the beach (unfortunately I think the Burj is out of my family range).

Iain

Iain, hotels are a sore subject with James and I, both wanting to stay at the Burj but being broken by the cost! We have both looked at other hotels (such as the Jumeirah Beach Hotel) but that is also looking to be really expensive. To be honest, I havenÕt actually booked anything yet. If I find anything good I will certainly pass on this details/info, as I am sure James will too.

Sarah

I thought that was the case yesterday. Odd how it causes all mt VS bookings to disappear not just the DXB booking though. Just about to give Premier a call now [?]

Iain
I had originally booked to stay at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah but I've now changed this to the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa (well at least for now anyway [:w]).

I would like to stay at the Burj but I really do think the it's just too expensive (standard rate is £1100 a night Apr 1st [:0] - I been able to get that reduced to ~£750 but even so it's still too much)

I've booked a Presidential Suite at the Jebel Ali for half that rate including tax.

Hope you can make it on the VS400 on March 31st

Regards

James

Once you have spoken to Premier your bookings should show up again. If not, let them know.

Mine is back in my account now.

Sorted, both my DXB and SYD flights are showing up now. Roll on Feb and then I can then also see my MIA flights for December.

Regards

Thanks for the heads up, Sarah [^]

I called the Premier team and my flights on a Saturday and a Thursday have also been amended to the times you posted (and quite honestly suit me better )

That and my SYD flights are now showing up again [y]

I can recommend both Ritz Carlton and Mina A Salam (Not sure about the spelling on that one) in DXB. However, I have not checked the costs on either.

Paul

Paul,

The Mina is a lovely hotel but rates are off the wall at the moment. What is it with DXB at the mo that it has gone sooo expensive[n]

Iain

I am getting a seriously cheap fare for u/c to dubai around 1st April @ circa £1150 but this mentions nothing about number of miles you get.

Could this be a non earning fare? ( more importantly no tier points ?)

thanks

David

I am getting a seriously cheap fare for u/c to dubai around 1st April @ circa £1150 but this mentions nothing about number of miles you get.

Could this be a non earning fare? ( more importantly no tier points ?)

No, that sounds about right. DXB fares in Upper are very reasonable at the moment.

Is this booking direct through VS or elsewhere?

Thanks Sarah for quick reply.

Yes, its on the va site, but varies quite a bit by very slightly changing the dates.

Am I correct in thinking this could be a non suite 340 [?] although hopefully UCS by then.

David

Originally posted by iforres1

Don't suppose you know of any good rates for hotels at the beach (unfortunately I think the Burj is out of my family range).

When we booked Dubai a couple of years ago, we got a package through lastminute.com and stayed at the Royal Meridien Beach Hotel and Spa. It is a fantastic hotel and we got a great deal that included half board, lounge access and were even upgraded to a massive suite with our own butler. [8D]:D

Not sure if it would be possible to make sure the package included VS flights, as we flew with Gulf Air.

Nick

Hi Sarah,
Steve & I stayed at the Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah in March http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/ - has to be one of the best places we've ever stayed in! In a nutshell, you're in the grounds of the Al Qasr in stand alone "Summerhouses" each with half a dozen suites and all with on hand butler! Free, private drinks reception in Summerhouse lobby every evening, incl. Champagne!

Just one to consider as you mentioned you haven't booked accomm yet

Originally posted by David

Am I correct in thinking this could be a non suite 340 [?] although hopefully UCS by then.

David

David

My VS400/401 seat maps are showing as been an UCS A343 - it always has since I made the booking last August. I think it goes to an A346 in June when VS operate a daily service to DXB.

Regards

Nick - Thanks for that, worth taking a look i feel!

David - If its direct from the site then yes, its miles/TPs earning, it will be a Z fare (which is what i purchased) and mine cost less than that when i bought it.

Current scheduled aircraft seems to flit between a 343 and a 346. I was originally told 346, then 343, but the high loads indicate that a 346 may be required.

I would not worry about getting a 343, i flew to LAX 2 weeks ago in Upper and had the suites (on G-VELD) and it was fine - except for Odyssey as the IFE of course, but that wasnt a huge issue. I think its very unlikely you would not get suites, im not 100% on the scheduling of the refit but im sure that all the 343s that were due to be refitted will be done by then? Im sure someone here can add to this? My seating plan on the VS website shows suites also.

Oh dear, could be tempted, although I would have to convince Fiona.

The only problem I can see now, is the would take me to 30 tier points ...... very tempting to keep going.

This could end up being kinda expensive [B)]

David [:w]

Steve - Thanks for the recommendation, will investigate further!

David - I see you may be coming down with a case of Gold Fever

Only you (and Fiona .. well, probably Fiona ) can decide if you want to take the plunge. Obviously, you know that once you go Gold you are on that slippery slope ...


The DXB fares are incredibly good! Hence why i snapped up mine immediately, although i neednt have as i got a similarly good deal on my flight to LAX/SFO and will easy requalify this year.

The only thing i will say is to take note of the situation of the rest of us in that while the flights are very good value for money, the accomodation in DXB is decidely more costly!

Whatever you decide, let us know!

Just snapped up a great deal to Dubai, but very depressed to find the price of hotels. Currently looking to spend £200 max per night but the options are looking more like £400. Is this normal or do the prices come down nearer the time?

Going out Aoril 15th back 22nd.

DXB just seems really expensive at the mo, i had trouble finding a good priced hotel as well. You can try lastminute.com and expedia.co.uk to chec their rates, but i think you may have to accept going down a star or two [:(] Do you have any preference or status with particular hotels?

Dont forget that 14-17th April is Easter - and therefore a main holiday/travel period which will have likely put the prices up as well.

Have a look at http://www.airline-network.co.uk. They have 5 start hotels starting around £1100 for 7 nights for the 15-22 April.

The Bab al Shams is £1568.

One thing I've noticed about the site, is that you get better rates for single occupancy. Don't know why.

Cheers,
Rick

Originally posted by gbremner

Going out Aoril 15th back 22nd.

We're going out on April 15th also

Going a star or 2 down is not going to happen, so time to take out a second mortgage. We have Starwood Plat, Hilton Diamond and Hyatt Diamond, but nothing seams to be looking that good with these cards.

We are looking at the Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah as gets good reviews and the executive lounge will be handy for me whilst the lady is sunbathing....

See you in the lounge Honey Lamb.

Bitten the bullet and booked 7 nights in the Al Qasr in a Club Executive Room, gets very good reviews.

Unfortunaly AMEX Centurion were £1000 more without any upgrades or benefits so my business went to Airlines Networks as it was the last available Executive room, looks like things are very busy that week.

Off to rob the bank now as this cheap flight has turned into the most expensive 1 week holiday I have ever taken....

http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/al_qasr/

It's the time of year... European Spring is peak season for Dubai, after May it just gets too hot. So if anyone is planning a cheaper trip then mid summer is lower hotel rates.