Emirates business and first-class lounges at Dubai International Airport are now open to paying guests, allowing lower-tier passengers to access the facilities without having to fly business or first class.

Passengers must be members of the Emirates Skywards rewards scheme to be eligible, but do not need to have accrued any loyalty ‘miles’ with the airline.

Skywards members on the entry-level Blue tier membership can access Emirates’ business class facilities at Dubai Airport for four hours by paying $100. Access to its first class facilities for the same length of time will cost double.

If you do fly frequently with Emirates and have Silver or Gold membership (25,000 and 50,000 points respectively), access to the Emirates business lounge is complimentary, even when flying economy class. These members will be able to upgrade to the first class facilities for $100, giving access to additional features such as a la carte dining, a cigar bar and a beauty salon. They will also be able to bring guests travelling in lower-tier classes into the business class and first class lounges, for $100 and $200 per person respectively.

The lounges were previously only open to higher-tier frequent flyer members and business or first class travellers.