Questions and Answers

Hi, I’m looking at booking First Class from Auckland to Cairo next year. I just noticed that the morning flight from Dubai to Cairo that I’d be connecting to doesn’t have First, so I’d be doing that in Business. My question is, will I still have access to the First Class lounge in Dubai if I’m connecting to Business …

Thanks

Hello,

It may depend on the class of ticket. Check for a letter. If it’s J then you should be able to access the first lounge. However if not it will be the business lounge.

Hi all, I’m hoping some experienced fliers can help. First off, a big thank you to Lucky and this blog – I’d never have been able to book this ticket if it weren’t for what I learnt here (flying out of Cairo and getting a cheap fare).

I have a booking for Auckland to Cairo in First. Note that the first flight is on a three-class A380. For the Dubai–Cairo leg I had the option of catching the morning flight, which is in a two-class 777, or the afternoon flight, which is in a three-class 777.

I arrive in Dubai at 5.35 a.m. The morning flight is at 8 a.m. I asked the lady on the phone when I upgraded from Business if I’d be able to use the First class lounge if I was flying in Business. I was specifically asking to upgrade the whole way – Auckland to Cairo. She said no, although she said I could always ask when I got there.

I was surprised by this. I thought if there was no First and you’re travelling in the next available class, you could use the First lounge. But since she said no, I decided to change to the later flight with First, allowing me to use the lounge. Do you think that was the right decision? The afternoon flight is at 3 p.m., so it’s a longish layover. On the other hand, it means I’ll get to know the First lounge well.

Note that I don’t play the points game like a lot of readers here (it’s not an option in NZ like it is in the US). This is likely my only time in First class. I’d appreciate any thoughts.

Not sure about EK’s lounge policies but the agent may be right – access is based on the departing class of service. This was an issue for EY and modified their lounge access policy. Since youre saying that this is probably your only time in First, then I think it’s worth the switch to get into the F lounge.

Normally though, I would recommend you make the decision based on your other plans since an 8+ hour layover beginning at 5:30AM doesnt sound particularly fun. Do you have plans to venture into the city for a bit?

Thanks, David. I thought it was probably worth the switch since it might be my only experience of it. I’m considering going into town, as well. And I can always take advantage of the sleep rooms in the First lounge that Lucky so well documented on his post on the lounge.