The airline points game has been over for years, but the marketing gimmicks refuse to die. Emirates, which has nearly returned to its prewar capacity, is trying to entice more connecting travelers on long-haul flights to make a stop in Dubai. Previous incentives included discounts at amusement parks, hotels, and restaurants, but now it’s adding a sweetener: one frequent-flier mile for each minute spent in the city. The fine print matters, however, as the maximum award is 7,200 points for a five-day visit.
While this is a bonus for anyone already planning to come, it’s hard to justify extending a stay, even by a minute. The most travelers can earn converts to a 216 dirham ($59) voucher at Dubai Duty Free, and is nowhere close to a cabin upgrade.