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A peek inside the newly upgraded Emirates lounge for youngsters at Dubai International Airport
Feb. 22, 2022
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3 min read
A peek inside the newly upgraded Emirates lounge for youngsters at Dubai International Airport
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PlayStations, televisions, a snack bar and free Wi-Fi ... is it the perfect living room? An arcade? A childhood fantasy?
Nope. It's what's on offer at the recently jazzed-up Emirates lounge for unaccompanied minors at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Related: Best ways to redeem Emirates Skywards miles for maximum value
Inside, the slick lounge has been kitted out with bright yellow, orange and gray sofas, televisions, two arcade-style PlayStation 4 consoles, plus a stylish-looking snack bar. Even the toilets are designed to be kid-friendly.
The lounge is located in Terminal 3, where children can be dropped off to meet the Emirates team, who will check them in at the lounge before taking them through security and handing them safely over to cabin crew on the aircraft.
On board, little ones flying with Emirates will be kept thoroughly entertained with a headset, more than 50 Disney films and 130 television channels to choose from, plus a range of toys and activity packs.
Currently, the lounge is only for use by Young Passengers (YPs) — children ages 5 to 15 — as part of Emirates' unaccompanied minors service.
Typically, the service is available for YPs who are 11 and older when traveling from Dubai, and the lounge needs to be prebooked in advance of travel.
Related: 14 things that caught me off guard in Emirates’ new premium economy
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As children between the ages of 12 and 15 can technically travel alone, without a parent, guardian or another adult present, they don't necessarily need the unaccompanied minor service. It can, however, be specifically requested for YPs in this age group.
Use of the lounge is also available for children who are passing through Dubai on a connecting flight, again when booked in advance.
Though it must be prebooked, children who are 5 to 11 who are flying unaccompanied will receive the service for free, but their flight will be charged as an adult fare, which can be paid for using cash, card or Emirates Skywards rewards miles.
Related: How Emirates filmed their incredible Burj Khalifa flypast stunt
Because young travelers who are 12 to 15 years old travel on adult fares anyway, use of the unaccompanied minor service will cost $50 per leg of the journey. TPG reached out to Emirates to find out if this fee can be paid using Emirates Skywards, and we'll update this story when we hear back.
To book, you'll need to reach out to the Emirates team at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.