Deal: Round trip Singapore to Dubai with Emirates for $516 plus two free hotel nights

Emirates is running a great deal for round trip flights from Singapore to Dubai in Economy Class from $516. With the promo code below, you will also get two free nights in a hotel in Dubai. Here are the important terms to note:

Book directly at emirates.com.
Use promo code DUBAI20.
Book between 10 February and 3 March 2020.
Hotel stays valid from 14 February to 30 September 2020.
You have to book a round trip itinerary and stay in Dubai for at least 10 hours.
2 free nights in Aloft Me’aisam or Aloft Dubai South.
You cannot choose which of the two hotels you would like to stay for the two free nights.
Only the room is included. No breakfast.
Free nights will only apply for the first two nights.
Only 1 room per booking. More rooms will be automatically added if number of guests exceed room capacity.

Click here for the full terms and conditions.

Table of contents

How much are the hotel nights worth?

Aloft Me’aisam, Dubai
Distance from Burj Khalifa: 23km
Average nightly price: AED 450 ($170)

Aloft Dubai South
Distance from Burj Khalifa: 58km
Average nightly price: AED 550 ($208)

As both hotels are not in the best locations, I will not value these complimentary nights for what they are worth in cash. Considering the fact that I am also not able to choose which hotel I would like to stay in, I will value these two nights at a total of $150.

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Where to credit?

With this promo fare, you will be booked into fare class ‘T’. Click here for a list of Frequent Flyer Programs that you can credit this flight to. I recommend Alaska Airlines for about 3,630 miles (worth $80) as a basic member.

Stack it up

Use Rebate Mango for 0.93% cashback ($49). Use my referral link for an additional $5 on your first transaction.

Which card to use?

I recommend using GrabPay Mastercard (after topping up with Citibank Rewards Visa) or DBS Woman’s World Mastercard for 4 miles per dollar. This gives you around 2,060 miles (worth $37).

Citibank Rewards
Sign-up bonus: $300
Annual fee: $192.60 (First year waived)
Minimum annual income: $30,000
Apply

DBS Woman’s World
Annual fee: $192.60 (First year waived)
Minimum annual income: $80,000
Apply

Gateway to Europe?

You can easily find round trip air fares under $300 from Dubai (DWC airport) to European cities on Wizz Air). This is a good chance for a quick stopover to explore Dubai.

Conclusion

While Emirates is calling this an “amazing deal”, this fare barely counts as a good deal. However, it is a great deal when you look at what you are getting for $516:

2 free hotel nights worth $150
Credit to Alaska Airlines for 3,630 miles (worth $80)
Click through Rebate Mango for $49
Use GrabPay Mastercard for 2,060 miles (worth $37)

That is right, you will get $316 worth of goodies on top of a fare that is already good! I say go for it.