Emirates is one of the top airlines in the world, with its award-winning business and first class cabins. A one-way Emirates business class ticket between San Francisco and Dubai normally costs $3200. But did you know you can upgrade to Emirates business class on this route for about $1,000 each way?
I came across this Emirates business class upgrade deal a year ago. My dad was flying Dubai to San Francisco in Emirates economy class. I went to the Emirates website to check him in for his flight. The $1,000 upgrade offer flashed on the very first screen.
Below that was a slideshow of all that awaits business class passengers onboard: Amazing food, lie-flat seats, and an onboard lounge where you can take the obligatory photo behind the bar wearing the flight attendant’s red hat. Emirates economy class is supposed to be nice, but these perks sound almost too good to pass up.
So is it worth paying $1,000 for an Emirates business class upgrade between Dubai and San Francisco? That really depends on how you paid for your ticket and whether you’re going to redeem any points:
Upgrading a paid economy class ticket to Emirates business class ($1,000 – $1,500 each way)
A roundtrip economy class ticket between San Francisco and Dubai on Emirates costs around $1,000 – $1,500 depending on the time of year. If you were to upgrade your ticket to business class in each direction, that would bring the cost of your roundtrip airfare to $3,000 – $3,500.
Compared to the regular cost of flying Emirates business class between SFO – DXB ($6,400), this is a bargain. It’s even cheap compared to the lower rates of ~$4000 you’ll find on other airlines. But it’s not how most of us should be spending our money.
Upgrading an Emirates economy class award ticket ($256.25 one-way)
Alaska Airlines charges 42,500 miles one-way for an Emirates economy class ticket. If you’re earning your miles via manufactured spending, it will cost you $117.20 to earn 42,500 Alaska miles. That’s $79.80 on gift card fees (via GiftCardMall) and $37.40 on money orders.
Tacking on another $1,000 for a business class upgrade brings your total to $1,117.20 for a one-way business class ticket to Dubai. Or $2,234.40 roundtrip.
That’s much more reasonable than a $4,000 – $6,400 revenue fare or the $3,000 – $3,500 cost of an upgraded paid economy ticket.
I personally wouldn’t mind paying $2,234.40 for a roundtrip flatbed seat on one of the world’s top airlines…assuming I could redeem cash back-equivalent rewards for it.
It would take about $50,000 worth of Visa gift card purchases to earn enough cash back for the $1,000 Emirates business class upgrade. The cost? $139 in gift card and money order fees. That would bring your total to $256.25 to fly Emirates business class one-way between San Francisco to Dubai.
Book an Emirates Business Class Award Ticket ($227.35 one-way)
If none of these upgrade options sound good to you, you can book an Emirates business class ticket to Dubai for just 82,500 Alaska miles.
The Alaska Airlines credit card currently offers a 40,000-mile sign-up bonus. Factor in miles earned from completing the spending requirement and you’re halfway to Dubai.
If you’re earning miles via manufactured spending exclusively, you’ll spend $227.35 to book an Emirates business class ticket using Alaska miles.
Is Emirates business class worth the $1,000 upgrade fee?
If you’re looking to fly Emirates business class between San Francisco and Dubai, the cheapest option is to generate enough miles for an award ticket. If that’s not possible, then the $1,000 upgrade fee could be worth it.
Upgrading an economy award ticket and redeeming Arrival miles for the fee will set you back just $139. Not bad, compared to the original $1,000 upgrade fee.
The flight from Dubai to San Francisco is almost 17 hours long. If you’re flying in economy class, it’s like sitting upright for the equivalent of two work days. Even if you find ways to get comfortable in economy class, it won’t compare to sleeping in a flat-bed seat on a long flight.
Emirates’ old business class wasn’t the most modern product, but it still beats economy class. At the end of the day, being able to sleep on a plane matters more than how fancy the seat is. At least to me.
Do you think it’s worth paying $1,000 for a one-way upgrade to Emirates business class?
Definitely not worth it for the price. If it’s for an upgrade to First class then a no brainer. Given the seat config Emirates has it’s not worth it. 4 seats in the center on a 777 is unacceptable period.
your math doesn’t add up for the manufactured spending.
Which part?
It only adds up if your time, fuel and vehicle wear and tear is zero (which is never the case) – and you MS using a very specific avenue that isn’t available to all. Which is why the $139 in fees isn’t reasonable assumption for vast majority of people.
$50K is 25 visits to WM unless you have very accomodating CSRs – in my neck of the Bay Area, such a thing never happens – one transaction per visit if you’re lucky enough to be able to swipe 4 cards. My fuel cost alone is $10 per $4K. Double it to be generous for wear and tear and ignore my time and it’s an additional $20/$4K, or $250 per $50K on top of the $139 in fees = $389. Is it better than spending $1K cash? If you value your time at more than minimum wage, it’s a toss-up.
If the GCM avenue isn’t viable for you, that doesn’t mean the math is wrong for those who can liquidate cards at $8k per visit. Zero waste of time/wear and tear is impossible in any scenario. We all have to decide how to value our time, whether it’s for a hobby, job, or something in between.
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Just flew Emirates Business …. the 777 business seat was a big disappointment and the food was not as good as one would expect—service varied dramatically. They have a fair amount of equipment switches so just because you book the A380 doesn’t mean you’ll fly the A380 and it’s better C seat. 3 for 3 on equipment downgraded from the A380 to 777. I’m a pass on EK business.
Oh and MS is a big time suck. Big.
The old product definitely leaves something to be desired. But for me, any flatbed is better than economy. MS can be a huge time suck if you don’t have the ability to liquidate tons of gift cards at once.
As always, thank you, Ariana for sharing good info.
We did JFK-MXP a couple of years ago in EK A380 Business class….. Great fun. Limo, lounges flight.
Just did EWR-ATH on The EK 777 Business class, What a disappointing contrast. Crappy lounge, dated plane, mediocre service. Stark contrast with Qatar Qsuites flown a few weeks before.
Sure thing! Are you referring to the lounge at EWR? That’s definitely disappointing to hear.