Dubai Stop-over and Marhaba Service

[Sequimers]

We are doing a 3-night Emirates stop-over in Dubai on our way to Cape Town. Does anyone have experience with the stop-over program service included at the airport? Is the Marhaba Service of value?

[Paulchili]

You might want to ask this on FlyerTalk's Emirates boards.

[PaulMCO]

We are doing a 3-night Emirates stop-over in Dubai on our way to Cape Town. Does anyone have experience with the stop-over program service included at the airport? Is the Marhaba Service of value?

 

Marharba is a fee based welcome service. Depending on the level of service, they will meet your plane, escort you fast track through immigration, and secure a porter for your bags if you need one.

 

I used them on my first trip to Dubai in 2000. Have not used them since. The chief benefit is that they will escort you through immigration (the lines can be extremely long). That is the only real benefit.

 

If you are flying non-Emirates airlines, you will go through T1 (which is a zoo right now). If you fly business you will get a fast track card - which helps.

 

If you fly Emirates T3 is much better and immigration is quite painless.

 

So - if first time to Dubai, economy class and not flying Emirates -- on vacation and do not want to hassle with lines -- yes I would go for it.

[Sequimers]

Your comments were what I wanted to know and help fill in some of the info gaps.