Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 28/w17

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 17, Edition 28

As Dubai gets back to normal, so does this newsletter. I didn’t feel it was right to be focussed last week on much else other than rain content.

To make up for that, I’ve included a bumper tip this week on VIP partner programs and how they may work for you with hotels. Not many of you may be aware of them, but if you tip towards the ‘luxury travel’ segment they’re certainly worth considering to elevate your stay and find a super deal.

Note - as this week’s edition is longer than normal, it may be ‘clipped’ by your Email provider (Gmail especially), so do click to expand to see ‘entire message’ or ‘view online’.

5 things worth knowing this week ⤵

🏨 How to maximise hotel stays with VIP partner programs

🛫 Emirates President apologies to all passengers

🗺️ NASA satellite images showing scale of Dubai flooding

🤓 Reader Appreciation: Palace Downtown Hotel

1️⃣ Jumeirah One Offers

If you enjoy this newsletter, have any feedback or suggestions or just way to say 👋, feel free to drop me an email by clicking here 

HOTEL TIPS

Why I use VIP Partner Programs Like Virtuoso

Regular readers will know that I advocate picking the right strategy and tactics for the hotel stay you’re looking for to get the ideal solution.

If you’re anything like me, you may want different things at different times when it comes to hotels. Sometimes it may be ‘just a bed’ or the lowest cost for instance.

If you’re the type of traveller who values service, experience and benefits then do take a moment to learn about what I call ‘VIP partner programs’.

Basically, a VIP partner program is an exclusive program that select travel agents can offer on hotel bookings that will provide premium benefits that aren’t available anywhere else, and at higher levels than ‘most’ travel agents may do.

Think of them as a ‘fast track’ to a better level of access with a hotel chain. Like loyalty programs without needing to do heaps of nights.

Generally, Virtuoso is the most common program for ‘luxury travel advisors’.

The most tangible difference a VIP partner program makes is you will receive benefits that won’t be available anywhere else. Typical benefits may include :-

• Early check-in, late check-out

• Food & Beverage credit

• Upgrades

• Welcome gift

• Spa credits

• Transfers

• Free nights such as 4 for 3, or 3 for 2 rates.

Whilst similar-sounding packages may also be available with other agents (eg some of the recent Luxury Escapes deals I’ve posted about previously) there’s one big difference - perception.

Let me tell you a hard truth. How you book a hotel, ie your sales channel and rate conditions, matters. Whilst you may think well, how much can the same room booking differ, the fact is - it does. You may not be aware of it, but the hotel will always have a ‘pecking order’ in how they perceive, and maybe treat, their guests.

The best example of this is room allocation. If two bookings for the same room category came in, and there was an upgrade needed to be allocated (either by request from the customer or because it helped the hotel), who do you think’s getting it?

Hotels will choose based on the sales channel - if it’s though an OTA like HotelsCom or a direct booking, who’s getting it?

The pecking order may well be something like,

1. OTA or third party are often the ‘lowest’, as they may be lower pricing and be price-sensitive customers.

2. Direct bookings are generally more favoured, as there are no commissions to pay from the hotel,

3. Loyalty programs are like preferential direct bookings, as they’re guests that have committed to the chain either by revenue or amount of nights. Direct Booking ^ 1 if you will.

4. VIP partner programs are the ‘top of the tree’ and even above the loyalty programs or direct bookings. The secret is, most decent hotel chains have their own loyalty program and then an elevated ‘VIP partner program’, eg Marriott have Bonvoy (loyalty - repeat customers/members) and then Luminous or Stars (depending on brand).

In other words, VIP partner programs will offer better benefits over a direct booking, a loyalty program or an indirect booking.

The downside is, you will pay a higher price point because they are often ‘Best Available Rate’ or exclusive rates not available on the wholesale market (that travel agents or OTAs may offer).

Don’t confuse High Street travel agents or package holiday providers with luxury travel agents and VIP partner programs. Virtuoso agents are extremely exclusive, and often will have first-hand contacts within hotels, and will often ‘follow up’ with guests and hotels during the stay. It’s this relationship, and the added benefits, that ‘rank and file’ travel agents or websites will be unlikely to be able to match.

One example of luxury travel agents that I use and I’m an affiliate* for is Classic Travel, a New York based boutique agency who I book my Virtuoso and VIP partner programs via.

*Note: I’m an affiliate for Classic Travel, which means if you click through my links I may receive a commission - at no extra cost to yourself. You don’t have to use these links, but it helps to support me and my work if you do.

I only promote affiliate partnerships with companies I’m a existing paying customer of and it doesn’t influence any content, opinions or editorial decisions I may offer.

🔗 Classic Travel 

My experience with Taj Cape Town on a Virtuoso booking

I was due to visit Cape Town and wanted to return to Taj Cape Town, a hotel I’d stayed in many years ago and liked a lot. Previously, I’d grabbed a decent rate via HotelsCom and had a lovely stay.

This time, I decided to see what Virtuoso could offer, so I booked via Classic Travel

This was the ‘Rate Plan Description’ and benefits I was offered on the booking.

Virtuoso Rate Includes: 
•Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, excludes Presidential
•Daily full English Breakfast, served in restaurant
•Complimentary drink on arrival
•Gin Tasting in Bombay Bar once per stay Wine Tasting in Bombay Bar
•20% food and beverage discount at Bombay Brasserie

However, it was even better on arrival.

As soon as I checked in, the Manager came out to see me, welcomed me with a drink and thanked me for booking via Virtuoso. He gave me his card and said I could call him any time if he could be of assistance. A couple of times during the stay, he came out to see me, offered coffee and asked for feedback on my stay and if there was anything he could do for me.

I was upgraded two room categories, with a stunning view over Company Gardens. In the room was a lovely welcome gift including a personalised card, a flower, chocolates and a fruit basket.

I had two ‘local experiences - personal gin and wine tastings - along with some lovely side dishes of food (as a bonus).

On checkout, they offered me a transfer to my next hotel in one of their luxury hotel cars (I’d used their Porsche already, so went for the Jaguar).

The best part of it all? I actually got a lower rate for this package than was available anywhere else. I would have happily paid double the ‘gettable rate’ given all the extras, so it’s a bit bonkers that I was so fortunate.

I paid approx. $187 for two nights, which was an amazingly good rate.

Tips for Searching on Classic Travel

Whilst you don’t need to, it’s best to register for a free account. This will keep track of your reservations, plus you can receive offers and news email if you opt in.

When you search for a property, be aware that there could be many different Rate Plans for the same room category. As they are listed in reverse price, ie lowest first, it could be that the same room category may appear further down the list if the package is a higher cost one (eg a Half or Full Board will be lower down/higher cost than a Room Only or Bed & Breakfast.

Ensure you open up the ‘Rate Plan Description’ to check what is included with the rate, as this is where all the benefits are listed.

You may find a Virtuoso exclusive rate, but also a Passport to Luxury (if it’s a Jumeirah brand), listed for the same room but the package will be a different cost and possibly different benefits. For instance, the ‘free nights’ rate plans are often not the cheapest rate plan for each room category.

Pricing will default to US Dollars, but it will show your rates in local currency along with taxes/charges as per.

Which Dubai Hotels are available on Classic Travel?

Looking for a week from 23 Dec 24, there are presently 38 hotels with available, and 6 without.

Available

• JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

• Jumeirah Creekside Hotel Dubai

• Grosvenor House Dubai

• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre

• Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre

• The St Regis Downtown Dubai

• Jumeirah Emirates Towers

• Palazzo Versace Dubai

• Andaz Dubai the Palm

• W Dubai The Palm

• Jumeirah Living WTCR Dubai

• Shangri-La Dubai

• The St Regis Dubai The Palm

• Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels

• Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

• Park Hyatt Dubai

• Raffles Dubai

• Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

• W Mina Seyahi

• The Dubai EDITION

• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel

• Mina A'Salam Madinat Jumeirah

• Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

• Atlantis The Palm

• The Lana

• Jumeirah Al Qasr

• Raffles The Palm Dubai

• Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf

• One&Only Royal Mirage

• One and Only One Zaabeel

• Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa

• Atlantis The Royal

• Jumeirah Al Naseem

• Burj Al Arab Dubai

• Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

• Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai

• One&Only the Palm

• Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

• Nassima Royal Hotel

Unavailable (ie booked for those dates, or not open, or no inventory released)

• Palace Downtown Dubai

• Armani Hotel Dubai

• Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai

• The Address Downtown Dubai

• Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

• Nassima Royal Hotel

Reader Success story: Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Here’s a very recent experience of booking via Classic Travel one of our readers availed of.

10 days this coming June for Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Reader had already availed of a super rate direct with Jumeirah on a ‘Jumeirah Escapes’ package via Jumeirah One. They’d tried direct negotiation with the hotel for a better deal or price, but - as is their wont - Jumeirah wouldn’t drop.

So they tried Classic Travel and guess what? They saved £275 over the same day ten day booking, had the same package benefits but received extra - as Classic Travel offered them access via Jumeirah’s VIP partner program, Passport to Luxury.

This may be unusual, as often the Virtuoso rates tend to be a tad higher, but in this case - they not only beat a direct booking on a loyalty program, but actually had heaps of added value by adding Passport to Luxury.

In this case, the added benefits of Passport to Luxury are things like transfer, F&B credit, welcome gift, transfers and of course, the ‘hidden’ benefit of access.

As a new Hotel Manager has recently started at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, I would guess they’d get a personalised welcome and the Manager may be even more keen to ensure Virtuoso/Passport to Luxury bookings are looked after. I would not be surprised if the Manager asked specifically for their feedback.

Note - I’m not saying this booking and my Taj Cape Town are typical - they are both unusual as the price point works out cheaper than anywhere else AND at a more preferential rate plan.

It does go to show the value in shopping around though, as always. Sometimes pricing goes high, sometimes it goes low - that’s life I guess.

When VIP Partner Programs Are Worth It, and When Not

If you’re focussed primarily on lowest price, or are seeking ‘just a room’, you may find the best deal on on OTA like HotelsCom.

If you’re looking for a flight and hotel package, you may be better off booking with a travel agent from a consumer protection point of view. You may not get the best ‘pound for pound’ deal or value though.

If you’re looking for a longer stay, VIP partner programs may not be as much ‘value add’ IF the credits (F&B, spa etc.) are a one-off amount rather than a daily credit.

I would generally consider using a VIP partner program IF I was looking to maximise my added value and benefits, i.e. to get more for my money, or if I was visiting a property I’d want the best chance of service touches.

I would also consider using a VIP partner program on stays in chains I’ve status in the loyalty program with, because the benefits can included added aspects like double points earning, free nights on top of what my status may bring.

Hyatt offer Hyatt Prive, Hilton offer Impressario and Marriott offer Luminous or STARS for their existing loyalty program members on bookings made via Virtuoso.

I would also consider using a VIP partner program if I was going for a top-end brand, such as Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental, because that added priority and experience a Virtuoso booking would bring would be the ‘cherry on the top’.

EMIRATES

Sir Tim Clark’s Open Letter to Emirates Passengers

Look, who wouldn’t have been impacted by two years of rain in one day?

It’s often not that things go wrong - no matter how unprecedented the situation may be - but how things are dealt with and can be improved going forward, sometimes.

It’s great to see Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, acknowledging the disruption by writing an open letter to all Emirates passengers affected. Emirates didn’t cover themselves in glory with some instances, but who could have done better?

I don’t think any airline or airport worldwide could have handled things better, and sometimes we may lose sight of this when we see all those stories, social media clips or whatever.

I’d hate to think what would have happened if it was say, British Airways at Heathrow having to face the same circumstances. They can’t even get their computers working on a normal day!

Read the letter in full on Emirates here.

NASA release satellite imagery showing the scale of Dubai flooding

AUDIENCE APPRECIATION

Palace Hotel Downtown

Reader Chris shared this lovely Youtube video of a recent stay at Palace Hotel Downtown.

Palace Hotel Downtown (as listed above on the VIP partner program section) is a great choice for a Downtown hotel, not just because of its great location and views, but it’s a bit different than the high-level skyscraper ‘city’ hotels around it, in a more traditional theme and has some excellent restaurants, namely Asado (for steak) and Thipthara (Thai). Both restaurants are on Entertainer 2 for 1 also 😉 

Do check out Chris’s Youtube channel to see more nice videos of Dubai.

Jumeirah One Offers

Chris also flagged up a few decent Jumeirah One offers, including

• enjoy a complimentary beverage when dining at any Jumeirah restaurant, until 30 June.

• Free Summer Wild Wadi Waterpark for Jumeirah hotel guests, UAE residents and Visa offers. (Jumeirah, like several local hotel chains, often will offer promotions for Visa card users)

Jumeirah One is Jumeirah’s loyalty program, and it’s free to join. It’s not just for hotel guests, and (like any hotel or loyalty program) occasionally there are exclusive offers for members or email list subscribers.

🔗 Jumeirah One Offers page

🔗 Jumeirah One main page

ENTERTAINER

Entertainer Promo Code UPDATE

As it stands, I believe the ‘status quo’ will continue as per Ramadan and Eid promotions.

Which is,

1. Entertainer GCC 2024 will be available for the discounted price directly (i.e. no promo codes, as it’s 200 AED discounted at present).

2. Entertainer Dubai 2024 will continue to be available for a 10% discount using promo code EDSD24. Please note I’m not sure how long this may last, so if you want the discount - act quickly!

3. The promo code EDSD24 will work for all other Entertainer 2024 products as normal (ie Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman etc.)

More info here 👉️ Entertainer 2024 Promo Code EDSD24