Class.

First Class, the prestige status of every airline passenger on every airline going to every country in the world. It's something a few do regularly, and a lot dream of achieving one day. 

I've never flown first class. It always appealed to me. Whenever we travelled to India and passed by Business Class, I'd always end up thinking to myself, "If Business Class looks like this, I wonder what first class looks like". The arrival of the A380 took that to a whole new level. With Emirates, the local airline of Dubai releasing advertisement after advertisement on its First Class facilities including a 15-minute spa/shower session.. well that was something. 

I'm going to be in the USofA for 4 years. I'm going to probably come to Dubai in the Summer and in the Winter each year. That makes 2 Round-Trips a year, for 4 years. Considering what I've heard about British Airways' [BA] frequent flier/Miles system, I'm super excited. Miles can be transferred, meaning that the miles my parents collect on this trip will be transferred onto my account. That, along with my own miles, will ensure a Business Class upgrade when travelling at least for One of the two trips. 

[By Now I'm Sure You've Guessed, I love travelling, especially By Air].

So it got me thinking, If I, once in the 4 years (Most preferably in the last year after my graduation) buy a business class ticket to Dubai [Which is a 14 hour flight, mind you], I'll be able to upgrade myself to First Class. Agreed, its not A380, but its still First Class. Something everyone wants to experience, but few actually do. 

Now you must be thinking, where the hell is all this coming from? My dad and I were discussing the loyalty program Emirates Airlines has for its fliers. Its called Skywards, for those who don't know. I was aware of 3 categories up until now. Blue, Silver and Gold. I had absolutely no idea that they have a Platinum category as well. But that's not what shocked me. What shocked me was the SKYWARDS IO [Invite Only] Tier. That's absolutely insane. It's all hush-hush, not even mentioned on their official page. They have their own lounge at the Dubai Airport which is so well concealed most of us have never even seen it. 

Here's a glimpse of what it would be like if you were invited:

Somebody from the Emirates office shows up at your office unannounced with your package. Inside the package is your kit. A thick, heavy dark rede at grey/brown membership card with matching Luggage Tags. A Mont Blanc wallet and a personally signed Letter form Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates Airlines welcoming you to the club. 

There is also a private number on the back of the membership card which has a personal number for you. When called, the operator on the other line is dedicated to you and answers the phone with a "Good Evening Mr. ______"

Sounds a lot like what Up In The Air [Movie]'s 10 Million Mile system was based on. And it sounds absolutely Phenomenal. I'd like to meet someone with a Skywards IO card someday. 

That's 2 Posts in 12 Hours. Woah.

Until Next Time,

Parichay