This week, I took my first international flight during the pandemic from Toronto to Dubai… via New York, Dubai, and Paris.
It’s what’s known as the “Emirates First Class extravaganza”, a nifty sweet spot that lets you book three Emirates First Class flights for the price of one using Alaska miles.
And since Emirates First Class awards will no longer be bookable with Alaska miles as of April 1, 2021, this sweet spot has a very short-lived future if you want to try it out for yourself.
In this video, I bring you along the journey and show you the highlights from Emirates 777 New First Class (widely considered the world’s best), walk you through the process of booking the “extravaganza”, find a little surprise during my layover in Paris, and sample an unexpected product I hadn’t tried before – Emirates 777 Old First Class – on my third and last flight.
Without further ado, you can watch the video below:
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If I book a flight from IAH to JFK and a separate flight from JKF to DXB, does that still count as transit or would that be 2 separate things? Sorry if this is an ignorant question. Thanks in advance.
You can only combine Alaska flights with partner flights when booking with Alaska miles, so if you did something like IAH-SEA-JFK-DXB, then it’d be one ticket with a connection. If you booked with another airline then it’d be two separate tickets.
looks like the key is booking the correct dates for this quirk to kick in? any advice for flying from west coast to DXB then R/T to Europe city?
Search for LAX-CDG and CDG-DXB (or any other European city) two days apart.
Thanks for the report. Do you have to get another COVID-19 PCR test in Paris for your return trip to Dubai? Also, did you stay overnight night in Paris- I thought Canadians are not allowed to “enter” France at this time (I think only allowed to transit). Thank you.
I only transited and did not enter (9 hours in the beautiful Salon Paul-Maxence).
I timed my PCR test in Toronto so that my departure from Paris would still be within 96 hours of it. Cutting it pretty close (since I only got my test results shortly before checking in for the first flight), but it all worked out.
I understand that the 96 hour time limit applies from the date/time of last direct flight to DXB. Is the 96 hour limit calculated from the time that the test was taken or from the time that the sample was tested. How long was it from the time that the sample was tested until you received your results ? Lifelabs test ?
The time the test was taken. I received my results in about ~24 hours from North York General Hospital.
Thanks..much appreciated.
Thanks for the video, Ricky. Did the food and wines on offer seemed to be on the same level as before Covid? I’m wondering if many airlines might cut on quality due to losses incurred during Covid. Also, did the nice lounge in Charles-de-Gaule offered food and drinks?
And yes – complimentary à la carte food and drinks in the Salon Paul-Maxence.
Yes, Emirates is pretty much back to full service: food, wine, plating, everything. I was asked if I had a preference between receiving my food covered or uncovered, and some of the amenities (like the writing pad and skincare kit) came wrapped in plastic, but that was about it.
Not all airlines are currently at this level though. Air Canada and Turkish Airlines for example are still doing cold boxed food in long-haul business class.
How about Eva Air? Asking for a friend. 😉
No lounge in New York ?
Centurion Lounge was the obvious choice, but here’s the maddening thing:
– They close at 8pm (reduced hours due to COVID)
– They only allow access three hours prior to departure
– Emirates Flight 202 departs at 11pm
Got a quick tour of the space though. Pics to come soon.