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United Airlines removal : why everyone involved is culpable
The shocking optics of the United Airlines removal apart, there’s still many opportunities for improvement on some worrying trends in air travel.
Whilst United Airlines could (and should) have resolved and avoided the situation, every party could be considered partially culpable and thus improve.
United Airlines removal – when keeping it real goes wrong
Who is at fault?
On reflection, every aspect of the escalation of the United Airlines removal was avoidable :-
Why Emirates frequent flyer program Skywards is not your friend
Despite their stunning in-flight service, the Emirates frequent flyer program (Skywards) is somewhat lacking.
Whilst this may be tantamount to heresy for all those Dubai expats and travellers with thousands of Skywards miles, bear with me.
Let’s back up a moment to say what this article is not about.
Skywards miles Dubai DXB – London LRH return
It is about the Emirates frequent flyer program Skywards, and not about the onboard Emirates experience – which in my experience is generally very good to excellent.
See, having heaps of Emirates frequent flyer program miles is a bit of a false impression. It’s like driving a Toyota, which may very well seem fine to you, but without having ever experienced a BMW.
Here are seven reasons why the Emirates frequent flyer program is not your friend, along with suggestions how to hack Skywards to benefit best.
1) Emirates prioritise fare class rather than frequent flyer status for upgrades
Emirates are looking to claw back money due to poor trading results in recent years. This has led them to consider introducing Premium Economy, whilst also adding seat charges and other aspects similar to LCCs (Low-Cost Carriers).
Buy SPG Points – get a business class flight to India for $730?
Points.com are currently running a promotion (until 30th April 2017) to buy SPG points.
Buy SPG Points 1_main page
500 StarPoints will cost $17.50
The first discount bracket is 10%, 5,000 to 9,500 Starpoints for $157.50 to $283.50 respectively.
10,000 – 14,500 will get 15% discount
15,000 – 19,500 will get 20% discount
20,000 – 30,000 will get the maximum discount of 30%
Buy SPG Points 2_discounts
Therefore the greatest discount and maximum miles purchasable is 30,000 for $735.00 (usually $1050.00).
Link to buy is here and you must have an SPG and Points.com account beforehand (both are free to signup).
Should I buy SPG Points though?
Well, there are (at least) two schools of thought on this issue, and it all comes down to how you define value.
Value is ALWAYS in the ‘eye of the beholder’ on these deals, as discussed here and here previously.
At first glance, this is a terrific opportunity in a few circumstances:-
If you’re new to the travel hacking game and want to collect lots of points quickly
If you need to ‘top up’ your SPG account, for an award night or to transfer to an airline partner
If you like the idea of using points and miles for a Business or First Class award flight, such as Etihad Business Class (as described here)
However, if you are an experienced travel hacker or knowledgeable in the points and miles game, you’ll know the value given for these points is quite poor.
There are better ways to earn similar amounts of points, either by different means (e.g. credit card sign ups) or that will may take longer to collect
If I buy SPG points, how should I use them?
One of the main reasons why Starwood Preferred Guest SPG Points/Starpoints are revered is their flexibility. Not only can you use them for hotel award nights at SPG properties, but there are many airline partners to transfer to – such as Qatar, American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Avios etc.
As an added bonus, the ‘exchange rate’ is usually quite generous, and for every 20,000 Starpoints transferred you will be gifted a BONUS 5,000.
Finally, on sporadic occasions, airlines such as American Airlines AAdvantage run promotions where they offer bonus miles for transferring. I’ve moved 40,000 Starpoints during such a promotion and received 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles in return.
Be Careful !
As always with travel hacking, the Golden Rule is to have a goal in place first. Although SPG Starpoints are very flexible, airline and hotel loyalty programs devalue and if you’re not using the points, you’ll lose the advantage of buying them cheap.
My recommendation when you should buy SPG Points
For promotions like this to beneficial, it’s worth spending time before buying in checking your plan first.
For example, it’s very tempting to spend $735 knowing 30,000 Starpoints could get you an Etihad Business Class flight from Middle East to India.
Here is the American Airlines AAdvantage Oneworld (Qatar, Etihad etc.) partner award chart
Buy SPG Points 3_AA Award Chart
However, BEFORE you buy the points and transfer, do two things :-
allow enough transfer time for the points to be received into SPG then transferred to AAdvantage (or wherever)
ensure there is a lot of availability for award space (using the method here to check)
Will you be buying SPG points, or have you done before? How did you use them? Let us know using the comments below - we love hearing from you!
Prime 68 Dubai brunch review – a sky high superb steakhouse
Prime 68 Dubai : Introduction
Prime 68 Dubai is a premium steakhouse, situated on the 68th floor of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (the tallest hotel in the world). During a recent stay (review here), to make the most of my Marriott Rewards earning, I decided to try their Friday Prohibition Brunch.
I was a little reticent about visiting though, due to ‘Second Brunch Syndrome’ last time I visited Prime 68. Whilst my first visit was exceptional – easily one of my best 3 meals ever in Dubai – the second visit/return was distinctly underwhelming. This seems to happen a lot in Dubai, as brunches struggle with consistency – and it’s usually when you’ve brought a few mates following your wonderful first time there.
Emirates airline partners with Rocketmiles Hotels for award nights
In terms of spending Skywards Miles, there aren’t many good opportunities with Emirates airline partners.
Regular readers may be aware I don’t consider Emirates Skywards a great airline loyalty program. In addition to the reduced potential of discretionary upgrades and restrictive redemption rules (one-way bookings only at Flex rate?), opportunities for Emirates airlines partners are generally restricted to:-
Steigenberger Hotel Dubai Review – German hospitality and class
Steigenberger Hotel Dubai Review is the latest article in our Brunch Budget Beds series, where we review business class Dubai hotels that cost less than a Dubai brunch.
Steigenberger Hotel Dubai Review – Introduction
The Steigenberger Hotel Dubai, situated in Business Bay, is the first Steigenberger Hotel in the region. Steigenberger hotels are renowned for their German heritage, hospitality and
Steigenberger hotels are renowned for their German heritage, hospitality and well-being across 50 hotels and resorts in Europe.
Situated in the heart of Business Bay, the 19-floor Steigenberger Hotel Dubai is a 5-star luxury hotel and provides easy access to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Canal etc.
Note – Check out the gallery below to see the stunning view and backdrop from the front entrance of the hotel.
Steigenberger Hotel Dubai Review – First impressions and Check-in
Brothaus Bakery Bistro – delightful tasty German food
Brothaus Bakery Bistro is “Dubai’s new German bakery”, located in Steigenberger Hotel Dubai, Business Bay.
‘Brothaus’ translates from German as ‘bread house’, however there is so much more than tasty, traditional German breads here.
Brothaus Bakery Bistro
Brothaus Bakery Bistro: Introduction
During a stay at Steigenberger Hotel Dubai as part of our Brunch Budget Beds series of articles, I had the pleasure of dining here a few times.
In honesty, the food was that ‘wunderbar’ I ate every meal here rather than in the main hotel restaurants.
Situated on the ground floor, with a nice outdoor terrace, lots of natural light make Brothaus Bakery Bistro extremely bright and welcoming.
Seating is of the typical German bench seating and long table style (similar to a Bier Keller). Whilst there are small tables and chairs, it’s much more fun – especially on the Schnitzel Nights – to try the communal seats.
On entering, you can’t miss the delectable aroma of freshly-baked traditional German breads (yes – pretzels included!).
The menu is surprisingly extensive – even for breakfast – so have a closer look at the gallery below to be tempted 🙂
There’s also a wide range of coffees, teas, juices, ‘proper’ German beer – including brands not normally seen in Dubai – as well as many inviting cakes and desserts.
What did I eat?
Lunch
Firstly, I had a light lunch (soup and roll) which was amazing.
Tasty, thick Farmhouse vegetable soup with three (a Pretzel type , a wholegrain and a Brioche style) warm, rolls. In addition, a bread tray was also offered to sample even more different types of bread.
Brothaus Bakery Bistro_soup
Schnitzel Tuesdays
Whilst I was staying at the hotel, the receptionist mentioned that Tuesday evenings were popular due to Schnitzel Tuesday deals in Brothaus Bakery Bistro.
Of course, I needed to investigate – and I’m glad I did. From 6pm till 11pm, you can buy either:-
1 Schnitzel + 2 malted beverages for 111 AED
1 Burger + 2 malted beverages for 99 AED
Now, there is a MIGHTY bargain to be had here. The two beverages are from a range of specially-imported German beers, most of which are not common in Dubai. So, you can select two of the more expensive brands – which normally retail around 45-50 AED – and effectively get your food as a side-dish free 🙂
The only negative is the beer was that good, and the atmosphere so warm and convivial, I forgot to take a photograph of the meal…
Breakfast
Scrambled Farm eggs, grilled green asparagus and salmon caviar butterbrot (butter bread) – just amazing!
A real tasty, terrific bargain for only 45 AED.
Brothaus Bakery Bistro_food breakfast
Brothaus Bakery Bistro_food pretzel
Lunch – Currywurst with fries
One dish I always try when in Germany is currywurst and French Fries, or ‘currywurst mit pommes frites’. This baby is really worth trying – two large wursts, delicately spiced and with that ‘special’ curry/tomato sauce alongside. Ideal to wash down a Warsteiner or two with.
As with several properties in Business Bay, the outdoor approach to Brothaus Bakery Bistro is unfinished, sandy and somewhat cluttered. Unless you wish to purposely feel like Wilfred Thesiger crossing the Empty Quarter, it’s better to use the main hotel entrance and lobby.
School of SPG 8 – Starwood Preferred Guest Best Rate Guarantee
One of the best benefits of the Starwood Preferred Guest program is its fantastic Best Rate Guarantee.
In a nutshell, the Best Rate Guarantee allows you to price-match (lower) rates from third-party hotel booking websites to rooms booked through Starwood Preferred Guest.
Baker and Spice Dubai – excellent organic artisan food
Ask any Dubai ‘foodie’ to recommend a local cafe, one renowned for fresh, homemade, local organic food. It’s highly likely the first name you’ll hear is Baker and Spice Dubai.
With the first London branch opening in 1995, the concept of ‘artisan food excellence’ quickly caught on in Dubai and they consistently win awards.
To help celebrate the New Year of 2017, it’s fitting to offer some tips on how to find cheap drinking in Dubai.
It’s a common question to ask, and it’s even been asked on Quora.
So here’s my advice on how to find cheap drinking in Dubai
Firstly, there is no one specific, consistent answer to your question – so ignore any that say Club C, Bar A etc. because it’s so changeable.
Secondly, consider how you would define ‘budget’, does it mean:-
The budget (as in low-end or cheapest) places for drinking in Dubai?
The best value (i.e. to get the most value possible on a fixed price/budget)?
See it’s quite different really, and you need to understand the different business models at play – and also consider ‘all in costs’ too.
However, there’s a very strong argument that the find the best budget bars and night clubs in Dubai, you need to find the cheapest drinks (as that’s a general attraction for many people).
So this article will focus on how to find cheap drinking in Dubai, in the hope this will determine the best budget bars and nightclubs in Dubai 😉
Happy New Year 2017: cheap drinking in Dubai
Drinking in Dubai – Budget area = budget bars, right?
