Getting my money's worth in Emirates first class: Bottomless Champagne and endless caviar
Flying first class on Emirates is one of the most exclusive experiences in the sky, and it has a sky-high price tag to boot.
After all, suites with closing doors, unlimited caviar, bottomless Champagne, on-demand meals, moisturizing pajamas and even inflight showers come at a cost.
No wonder tickets between Dubai and the U.S. in Emirates first class regularly price at over $10,000 … each way!
Back in September, though, I was able to book a one-way ticket from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) via Dubai International Airport(DXB) for the (relatively) inexpensive grand total of $3,168.
The first leg would be aboard an Airbus A380 with the airline’s older but still fabulous first-class suites. For the second segment, I would finally have a chance to review Emirates’ game-changing newer first-class suites aboard a Boeing 777, which I’d been wanting to fly for years.
Learning about my over-the-top trip, some of my colleagues at The Points Guy challenged me to “try to make my money back” on one of the flights. I figured that would be about $1,584 since both legs were around the same duration of just under seven hours.
I was intrigued. Could I possibly quaff enough Dom Perignon or down enough caviar to make up for the airfare? How could you put a price tag on showering at 39,000 feet? What else was mine for the taking that I could add to my bottom line?
Since I was working up a full review of my second flight, I decided to play a round of “make your money back” on my A380 flight from Bangkok to Dubai. I researched the cost of each and every item and amenity I could enjoy on board and set about making a plan.
The day of my flight, everything went like clockwork. I tallied the cost of every sip of Champagne, every bite of filet mignon and every soap bubble of the Voya spa products in the lavatory.
Was it a bit crass? Without a doubt. But was it some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a flight? Absolutely.
Even the flight attendants got in on the game and were always on hand to pour another glass of Dom ... to help with my running tally, of course.
Here, without further ado, is the result. And don’t worry, I didn’t make my money back simply by drinking my weight in Hennessy Paradis cognac ($1,500 a bottle).
Making my money back in Emirates first class
Drinking and dining, nickel and diming
If you’re curious how I did it, here are a few of the highlights and how much I tabulated each to be worth.
Breakfast in the lounge: $20
I popped by Emirates’ lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport before my flight and devoured an omelet, a fruit plate, pineapple juice, sparkling water and a cappuccino.
Bulgari amenity kit: $130
Emirates first-class passengers are treated to fancy amenity kits chock-full of high-end Bulgari products including the Le Gemme line’s Tygar cologne, plus aftershave and moisturizer. Looking up similarly priced items online from department stores, I tabulated my kit to be worth well over $100.
Dom Perignon 2003 P2: $300 ($100 per glass)
Dom Perignon P2 (the P stands for Plenitude) is a limited-edition Champagne. The house holds back a small number of bottles from very special vintages and ages them a further 15 years for more complexity and character. Each bottle retails for around $600 ... and I sipped (but didn’t finish) about three glasses of it over the flight. All for the challenge, naturally.
Unlimited caviar (and fixings): $350
Emirates serves Gourmet House caviar on Royal Doulton fine bone china in first class and passengers can request as much as they’d like. I estimated I got about 3 ounces at $80-$100 each, plus all the fixings, so I rounded up to $350 for the beautiful presentation.
Hennessy Paradis cognac: $150
Available only for first-class passengers (who can also request that the bottle be brought back to the A380’s cocktail bar for them to imbibe there), Hennessy Paradis is one of the world’s most famous cognacs. It’s actually a blend of many eaux de vie ranging in age from 30-130 years old and retails for around $1,500 a bottle. I got a hefty pour back at the bar and estimated it to be $150 worth of spirits. Worth every drop!
Mezze and filet mignon: $130
For my main meal, I started with a sizable mezze platter worth around $30 (based on a restaurant where I’d just had a similar spread) followed by a juicy cut of filet mignon with mushroom sauce, potatoes and asparagus worth around another $100 if you were to order it all in a steakhouse.
Chardonnay, shiraz and Bordeaux, oh my: $120
With my meal, I tried tastes of Howard Park Allingham chardonnay from Western Australia, Clarendon Hills Astralis shiraz from South Australia and Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, raking me in another $120 or so in value.
Dessert, port and Sauternes: $110
What, you thought I was done? I’m a professional!
I ordered a crunchy, custardy peach crostata and a cheese plate with several slabs of dairy delight on it. And for a pairing? A glass of one of the world’s most famous dessert wines, Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes from Bordeaux, along with a taste of Sandeman 40-year-old tawny port. What a way to finish.
Moisturizing pajamas: $110
Back in 2016, Emirates introduced so-called hydra-active moisturizing pajamas in first class, then actually sold them through its store in 2018. When I looked them up in the Emirates online store, I could not find them anymore, though they were advertised at 200 United Arab Emirates dirhams (about $55) per piece, so I tallied them up at $110 for the set. Interestingly, the Emirates store's U.S. site has different sets of hydra-active pajamas for sale for $55, but these are different from the cowl-necked ones I got, so I’m sticking with my higher price.
Voya spa set: $80
Next, it was time for a quick rinse in one of the plane’s two onboard showers. The experience of bathing at high altitude is priceless, if you ask me. But one thing I was able to monetize was the set of Ireland-based Voya spa products arranged for passengers to use. I priced out a similar travel kit I found online at a cool $80.
Moleskine notebook and pen: $20
It might not seem like much, but I also swiped a Moleskine notebook and Emirates pen from my suite’s console — you know, for documenting the experience — and added another $20 to my tab. What I forgot to grab? The Byredo skincare products in the console’s vanity. I also skipped the chips and candy, including the gourmet Lakrids by Bulow Danish licorice I love that were stocked in the suite’s minibar. Next time!
Airport escort and chauffeur service: $130
Though this is not a guaranteed amenity, along with other first-class passengers on my flight, I was met by an airport escort upon deplaning. He whisked me past other arrivals on a golf cart and through an expedited line at immigration and customs so that I was at the airline’s chauffeur desk within minutes. There, I secured a ride in a BMW 7 Series to my beach resort about an hour away. Based on pricing for VIP services at the Dubai Airport as well as the cost of my taxi back to the airport from the resort, I’d bundle these two services together at $130.
Grand total: $1,650
Mission accomplished! I beat my goal to get my money’s worth from the flight by nearly $70. And it wasn’t easy, despite how delightful it was. I think it’ll be a while before I have another scoop of caviar ... though I wouldn’t mind another glass of Dom Perignon P2 sometime soon.
Aside from the pure (and purely fun) monetary value I got from my flight, the other elements — the incredible suite with its buttery leather recliner and enormous inflight entertainment system, the friendliness of the crew (and their willingness to indulge all my kooky requests), and the sheer gratification of being able to relish a truly luxurious experience — are things I’ll be telling folks about for the rest of my life.
Or they could just watch the video and try to see the point at which I realized I might have had too much caviar.
Want to experience some more luxury in the sky? Check out these recent flight reviews:
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- Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo
- The holy grail of award tickets: Flying Lufthansa first class on the Boeing 747-8
- 8 reasons I’m excited about Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites flying to the US
- We fly the Emirates A380 in all 4 cabins, including the new premium economy
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.