Cheap channels to Dubai shopping

Emirates is promoting trips to the Dubai Shopping Festival that runs until 28 February offering low-priced hotel accommodation, but with a small hitch.

The airline advertises hotel rates starting at US$47 per person, per night, but the catch is travellers must pay the full whack for three days to get the discount on the fourth.

For example, the cheapest offer is at Seashell Inn Hotel US$140 per person, per night, which drops to US$45 on the fourth night. The most expensive hotel  sells at US$637 per person per night.

Emirates’ Dubai Shopping Festival package comes with a 20% bonus in Skywards Miles when booking a minimum three-night stay. It also offers meet and assist at Dubai International Airport, airport transfers in chauffeur-driven cars, Arabian Adventures welcome pack including the Vice Versa© cash reward card and discounted rates on tours and car hire.

Optional tours are US$58 for a east coast tour; US$92, Dune Dinner Safari and US$38, Orientation Tour of Dubai City. Car rentals start at US$119 for three days including Collision Damage Waiver and tax.

The airline’s lowest fare to Dubai during this period is Bt31,395, including taxes and fees.

Emirates’ offer is not such a big deal if travellers are prepared to a little comparison shopping.

For example Agoda sells the Seashell Inn Hotel at US$80 per room, per night, while Thai Airways International sells a roundtrip fare for  Bt32,740, all inclusive and airport and hotel transfer in a chauffer-driven car is US$46 one way to Seashell Inn.

If the trip is routed via Muscat, Oman Air sells a fare at Bt16,170, all inclusive with three and a half hours connecting time both ways.

Jet Airways, an Indian carrier, sells a package at Bt26,827 inclusive of three nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel with breakfast, airport transfer, economy class fare with taxes, city tour, Dhow cruise with dinner, desert safari and English speaking representative. However, guests have to contact JetEscapes service centre directly in India via call or email. Visit www.jetairways.com.

Also, a visit to the Dubai Shopping Festival 2010 website, http://mydsf.ae/homepage.aspxsources packages, saving 40% off hotel rack rates at 35 hotels. Additional benefits include Pay Two Stay Three Nights or Pay Three Stay Four nights packages with complimentary airport and shopping mall transfers, complimentary breakfast, free room upgrades to next category and shopping vouchers.