If you are arriving in a foreign country for the first time alone, it will be a daunting task to go through the various procedures at the airport. Dubai, which is giving tourism its utmost importance, has taken much care to portray itself as a foreigner-friendly country. The various ‘Meet and Greet’ services that Dubai has come up with at the International Airport are a step towards this.
The Meet and Greet services in Dubai International Airport terminal 1, 2 and 3 are popular with first time travellers. It is also useful for those who wish to offer their loved ones or guests the luxury of quick immigration formalities either at arrival or departure. The two organizations who offer such services are Ahlan/ Al Majlis service from Dubai Airport and Marhaba service from DNATA.
Al Majlis VIP Service
The personalized VIP service at Terminal 1 includes access to Al Majlis lounge, airport entry pass, special check-in, immigration and baggage clearance etc. An advantage for the passengers availing this facility is that they can arrive 45 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of 3 hours early, if their tickets/passports/baggage is sent at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure of flight.
A group of 5 people can have the group meet & greet service, wherein they would be received by 3 greeters/receivers at the Al Majlis lounge. The Al Majlis service costs about AED 1500 per individual, though a family travelling together would cost much lesser, with an initial cost of AED 1500 and AED 500 for each family member. It has to be noted that any non-family member travelling with the group will still have to pay AED 1500.
Ahlan Meet & Greet
Ahlan (meaning welcome in Arabic) meet and greet services run by the Civil Aviation Authority is quite famous among the travellers who frequent Dubai International airport. The Ahlan service includes a premium Meet & Greet and a standard Meet & Greet.
A full service premium package from Ahlan includes refreshments and relaxation at the Ahlan lounge while waiting for immigration formalities, free porter service and fast track immigration clearance. A `greeter’ with valid airport entry pass will escort you to the Ahlan lounge. Valet parking is another advantage, but needs prior approval from Airport security. Ahlan services would assist you during your duty free shopping. The Ahlan meet and greet service costs AED 150 per passenger. A charge of AED 504 would be for a group of 4. Flowers and chocolates and group discounts are also available at additional costs.
The Ahlan standard meet & greet is a package similar to premium though it excludes porter service. The standard package would have a charge of AED 100 per passenger and an additional AED 150, if one is to avail the greeter service requiring access to Ahlan lounge. The standard service also has a group service for AED 306 available at Terminals 1 and 3 only. This package also includes flowers, chocolates and group discounts at additional cost. For more details:
Arrivals Telephone: +971 4 2164196 E-mail: ahlan@ahlan-dia.com Website: www.ahlan-dia.com Departure Telephone: + 971 505 5700/01 Fax: + 971 4 220 3893 E-mail: ahlan@ahlan-dia.com
Marhaba Services
The most sought after meet and greet service in Dubai International Airport called ‘Marhaba’, means ‘welcome’ in Arabic and reflects the warmth and hospitality of the Arab culture. Operated by Dnata, a part of the Emirates group since 1991, Marhaba services is available in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Dubai International Airport. The Marhaba agents are easily recognizable in their distinctive yellow jackets. Comprising over 300 staff of various nationalities, Marhaba handles over half a million customers per year with packages for every type of traveller – tourists, families, VIP passengers and corporate business clients. Upon booking you can also request to be met by a person who speaks a specific language.
Marhaba offers the following packages
Diamond Package: A full service package including personalized escort, fast track immigration clearance for arrival/departure, visa delivery, free porter service, buggy car transfer in Terminal 1, and lounge for departing passengers. The diamond package is said to be ideal for VIPs, younger passengers travelling alone, and elderly or wheelchair passengers. The diamond service from Marhaba would costs you AED 150 per passenger in Terminal 1 and AED 100 per passenger in Terminal 2. Additional costs apply for add-ons like flowers and limousines.
Family Package: The family package is similar to the diamond package but aimed at families and includes personalized escort, fast track immigration clearance for arrival/departure, visa delivery, free porter service, buggy car transfer in Terminal 1, baby stroller. Costs are for a maximum of 4 from the same family, with additional charges for more members of the same family. The package is charged at AED 230 in Terminal 1 and AED 140 in Terminal 2. Add-ons like flowers and limousines are charged extra.
Standard Meet & Greet Package: The standard package includes group escort, fast track immigration clearance, visa delivery and buggy car transfer in terminal 1. This package is ideal for new travellers coming into Dubai or those wishing to rush through immigration formalities. The package costs about AED 80 in Terminal 1 and AED 75 in Terminal 2. In addition to this is the personalised service which is the one-on-one assistance through all formalities at arrivals. This includes complimentary Marhaba Lounge on your next departure from Dubai and the CityStop which allows transit passengers (8 hours+) a convenient and easy way to visit Dubai.
Marhaba Lounge
Regardless of airline or class of travel, you can gain access to the 24-hour Marhaba Lounges located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. The lounge can be used by any traveller and is not exclusive to those using Marhaba Meet & Greet services. No pre-booking is required.
Terminal 1
The departure lounge is located at the east end of the Terminal 1 between Gates 123 and 125. It offers travellers the following services:
- The Business Centre with onsite PCs, internet access and telephone/fax facilities
- The Food Court: Offers a variety of hot meals and the choice between Arabic and continental menus, refreshments and hot and cold beverages
- Buggy Cars: Buggy cars are provided in the areas where the access is permitted by Civil Aviation Authorities to take Marhaba Lounge visitors to the relevant boarding gate.
Terminal 3
The Marhaba lounge at Terminal 3 is located at the east end of Level 4 on the north side of the concourse, close to gate 230. The entrance to the Marhaba lounge is via a dedicated elevator from Level 3 departures. Here you can benefit from:
- The Business Centre with PCs with internet access, Wifi connectivity, telephone / fax facilities and data port access for laptop users
- Food and Beverages
- Buggy Cars: Buggy cars are provided in the areas where the access is permitted by Civil Aviation Authorities to take Marhaba Lounge visitors to the relevant boarding gate.
Dubai Visa & Marhaba Services (DVMS), a part of the Kuoni Travel Group, India is the first company to bring to the Indian travellers a wide range of MARHABA services at the Dubai International airport. You can book Marhaba services online at www.marhabaservices.com, dnatatravel.com or at dnata Travel outlets or at the Marhaba Sales Counter at Dubai International Airport.
Jumeirah hotels meet and greet services
The Jumeirah Airport Services offer airport assistance to all Jumeirah guests at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. The team at Dubai Airport offer guests who booked transportation directly with Jumeirah:
On Arrival:
- Meet & greet from the Jumeirah Reception until transportation
- Cold water & towel at the lounge*
- Luggage Assistance
- Lost luggage follow up
- Left luggage arrangements
- Transportation arrangements
- Hotel Room & Restaurant booking
- Facilitate Entry Visa arrangements with Jumeirah hotels
On Departure:
- Meet & Greet from transportation until immigration area
- Luggage assistance
- Airline check in
- Service only available at Dubai Airports Terminal 3
A welcome lounge is recently opened in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport.
It has to be noted that the meet and greet services need to be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Certain services may not be available at Terminal 2.
I have used the same service for my parents when they visited Dubai. It was your article which helped me understand more about this service and subscribe to it.
Thank you