2017-18 Leisure Club Membership FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I access these clubs with my regular Platinum card? No. You are required to purchase a leisure club membership and replace your existing Platinum card with the Platinum Premium Club Membership card or Platinum Club Membership card.
2. What is the difference between the Platinum Premium Club Membership card and the Platinum Club Membership card? The different cards allow access to different leisure and beach clubs.
3. Which clubs can be accessed with a Premium card? The Premium card permits access to the following leisure club facilities from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018. Family access available: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Le Meridien Dubai (Garhoud), Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Le Royal Meridien, Park Hyatt Dubai, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, Sheraton Sharjah, Sofitel the Palm Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai (JBR The Walk), The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City, Wafi Pharaohs Club, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah. Individual access only: Body & Soul (Ajman, Dubai and Sharjah), Fitness First (Al Barsha, BurJuman Centre, Business Bay, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Motor City, Golden Mile Palm Jumeirah, Green Community, Ibn Battuta Mall, Oasis Centre and Safeer Mall Sharjah), JW Marriott Marquis, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, The Address Boulevard Dubai and The Aviation Club.
4. Which clubs can be accessed with a Club card? The Club card permits access to the following leisure club facilities from 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018. Family access available: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Le Meridien Dubai (Garhoud), Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Le Royal Meridien, Park Hyatt Dubai, Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, Sheraton Sharjah, Sofitel the Palm Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai (JBR The Walk), The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City and Wafi Pharaohs Club. Individual access only: Body & Soul (Ajman, Dubai and Sharjah), Fitness First (Al Barsha, BurJuman Centre, Business Bay, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Motor City, Golden Mile Palm Jumeirah, Green Community, Ibn Battuta Mall, Oasis Centre and Safeer Mall Sharjah), JW Marriott Marquis, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, The Address Boulevard Dubai and The Aviation Club.
5. How can these clubs be accessed with the Premium or Club card? A valid Premium or Club card must be presented to access the premises. Each participating club has their own rules to be followed to access their premises.
6. What does “individual access” mean? Individual access means ONLY the Premium or Club cardholder can use the participating clubs’ facilities. Partners, spouses and children may not use these facilities.
7. What does “family access” mean? Family access means the Premium or Club cardholder can use the participating clubs’ facilities with their declared partner/spouse and children, where applicable.
8. Is there a limit to the number and age of children who can access the clubs with me? Yes. The number and maximum age of children who can access with you will vary, depending on each participating club’s terms and conditions.
9. Can facilities at participating clubs that allow “family access” be used by an individual Premium or Club cardholder? Yes. A Premium or Club cardholder may use facilities at participating clubs without necessarily having a partner/spouse/child with them.
10. Can I purchase Premium or Club Membership without being a Platinum card member? No. You must be a valid Platinum card member to be eligible to purchase Premium or Club Membership.
11. Who are eligible to apply for Premium or Club Membership?
Primary cardholder may purchase PREMIUM may purchase CLUB Membership for Membership for Self and/or Married Spouse, who is a up to 2 children of age 16 and above, who are Platinum dependants Grade 9 or Platinum dependant Only if Premium Membership is above Self only purchased for self and/or spouse Non- (you may declare a partner For individual access only Married of the opposite sex to access “family” clubs with you)
Self and/or Spouse, who is a Platinum dependant Married Not applicable
up to 2 children of age 16 and above, who are Platinum dependants Grade 4-8 only if Club Membership is purchased for self and/or spouse for individual access only Non- Not applicable Married Self (you may declare a partner of the opposite sex to access “family” clubs with you)
12. I’m a retiree / temporary staff. Am I eligible for Premium or Club Membership? No. Currently this benefit is not extended to you. But you may continue to enjoy the benefits of your regular Emirates Platinum Card.
13. I’m a Platinum member from an Emirates Group associated company. Am I eligible for Premium or Club Membership? Please contact your HR and copy [email protected].
14. Do I need to purchase for my spouse and/or child(ren) their own Premium/Club Membership so they can also access the participating clubs? It is not mandatory. It is optional for you to purchase separate Premium/Club Memberships for your spouse and/or child(ren) of age 16 or above, so they can access participating clubs on their own, without you being present.
15. If I don’t purchase separate Premium/Club Memberships for my spouse/child(ren), can they still access the participating clubs? Your spouse and/or child(ren) below 16 years old may access clubs that allow family access, provided: they are listed with Active status on HRDirect at the time of payment you, the Premium or Club cardholder, are present during the time of visit
16. What if I purchase a Premium/Club Membership for my spouse, but not for myself? Your spouse may access clubs that allow individual or family access, without you being present. You and/or your child(ren) below 16 years old may access clubs that allow family access, provided: Your child(ren) are listed with Active status on HRDirect at the time of payment Your spouse, who is the Premium or Club cardholder, is present during the time of visit.
17. Can I purchase Premium or Club membership for my spouse, who is not a Platinum member? No. You must first apply for a dependant Platinum card for your spouse. S/he must be listed with Active status in HRDirect. To apply: a) Go to HRDirect > Profile > Contact Details. Next to your spouse’s name, click on the icon under the Phone Number column. Enter your spouse’s Mobile and Private Email Address. Click Save. b) Go to HRDirect > Applications > Emirates Platinum Card > Dependant Card. Next to your spouse’s name, assign the Dependent Order and tick the Select box. Then click Submit. c) At least one working day from your system request, bring a passport-sized photo of your spouse to the EGHQ ESC Platinum Card counter to get his/her card printed.
18. Can I purchase Club membership for my child, who is not a Platinum member? No. You must first apply for a dependant Platinum card for your child. S/he must be of age 16 or above and listed with Active status in HRDirect. To apply: a) Go to HRDirect > Profile > Contact Details. Next to your child’s name, click on the icon under the Phone Number column. Enter your spouse’s Mobile and Private Email Address. Click Save. b) Go to HRDirect > Applications > Emirates Platinum Card > Dependant Card. Next to your spouse’s name, assign the Dependent Order and tick the Select box. Then click Submit. c) At least one working day from your system request, bring a passport-sized photo of your spouse to the EGHQ ESC Platinum Card counter to get his/her card printed.
19. As a primary cardholder in grade 9 or above, can I purchase Premium Membership for another dependant, instead of my spouse? No. You may only purchase Premium Membership for yourself and/or your spouse. Your other dependants are not eligible for Premium Membership.
20. As a primary cardholder in grade 9 or above, can I purchase for my spouse Club Membership, instead of Premium Membership? No. You can purchase only Premium Membership for your spouse.
21. Can I purchase a Club Membership for another dependant, instead of or apart from my spouse/child(ren)? No. As a primary cardholder in grade 4 to 8, you may only purchase Club Membership for yourself and/or your spouse and/or up to 2 of your children of age 16 or above. As a primary cardholder in grade 9 or above, you may only purchase Club Membership for up to 2 of your children of age 16 or above.
22. Can I purchase Club Membership for my child(ren) of age 16 or above, without me or my spouse purchasing a Premium or Club Membership? No. You and/or your spouse must first purchase Premium or Club Membership, whichever is applicable, as per your grade.
23. I’ve purchased for my spouse a Premium/Club Membership, can s/he access the participating clubs without me? Yes. Even without you present, when your spouse gives their own valid Premium or Club card, s/he can access any of the participating clubs, subject to availability on the day of visit.
24. I’ve purchased Club Membership for my child(ren) of age 16 or above, can s/he access the participating clubs without me or my spouse? Yes. Even without you or your spouse present, when your child(ren) give their own valid Club card, s/he can access any of the applicable clubs ONLY as an individual, subject to availability on the day of visit.
25. I’ve purchased Club Membership for my child(ren) of age 16 or above, can s/he take their own declared partner/spouse/child(ren) to clubs that allow family access? No. Your child’s Club card is for individual access only. No declaration will be accepted for their partner/spouse/children.
26. I’m not married. Can I take someone else to participating clubs that allow family access? Non-married staff may declare a partner of the opposite sex, with whom they wish to access the applicable clubs by forwarding their Successful Payment Notification email to [email protected] and specify the partner name within one month from date of purchase.
27. I’m not married and have declared a partner at the time of payment. If I get married to a different person during the contracted period, can my previous partner’s name be removed and replaced with my spouse’s name? The partner’s name declared at the time of payment can be removed but cannot be replaced with a new name mid-term.
28. Will details of my declared partner/spouse/child(ren) below 16 years old be shared with participating clubs? Yes. Participating clubs will need this to verify and may ask for a further proof of identity to allow use of the family facilities wherever agreed. Please ensure you carry additional identification for your declared partner/spouse/child(ren), such as UAE ID card, medical card and so on.
29. I’ve not purchased separate Club Membership for my child(ren) of age 16 or above. Will their details be shared with the participating clubs so they can access with me and/or my spouse? No. Only details of your child(ren) below 16 years will be shared to participating clubs that allow family access. Child age restrictions will apply as per each club’s policy.
30. Could I change my declared partner/spouse/children at a later time? A non-married staff’s declared partner is for the entire contracted period and cannot be changed mid-term. Married staff may notify [email protected] of any change in spouse and children once they are updated with Active status on HRDirect, provided they have not previously declared a different partner for this membership cycle.
31. Will my declared partner or child(ren) below 16 years old be issued their own Premium or Club card? No. Please refer to the table in FAQ # 11.
32. Can my declared partner/spouse/children use my Premium or Club card to visit the premises on their own or stay back after I leave the premises? No. The Premium or Club cardholder has to enter and be physically present in the premises with the declared partner/spouse/children throughout their use of the facilities and all must leave at the same time when exiting the premises.
33. Can I present my Premium or Club card and check in my declared partner/spouse/children for them to access the premises, without me staying? No. The Premium or Club cardholder has to enter and be physically present in the premises with the declared partner/spouse/children throughout their use of the facilities and all must leave at the same time when exiting the premises.
34. Can I bring guest(s)? Access to the participating clubs’ facilities is only for the Premium or Club cardholder and their declared partner/spouse/children, where applicable. However, special day-access rates for guests are available at some clubs. Access is always subject to availability on the day of visit. Guest(s) must abide by the participating club’s terms and conditions.
35. I have family or guests who will be visiting Dubai for some time. Could I get a temporary card for them to access clubs with me? No. Access to the participating clubs’ facilities is only for the Premium or Club cardholder and their declared partner/spouse/children, where applicable. However, special day-access rates for guests are available at some clubs. Access is always subject to availability on the day of visit. Guest(s) must abide by the participating club’s terms and conditions.
36. Can I pay in instalments? Payment must be made in full before gaining access to participating clubs during the contracted period.
37. How do I pay for membership? Pay by credit or debit card enabled by Visa/MasterCard via HRDirect > Applications > Emirates Platinum Card > Voucher/Ticket Request. This offer will be open for sale from 1st April 2017 only and will be on first come, first served basis.
38. If I join mid-year, can I just pay for the remaining months? No. You must pay the full leisure membership fee.
39. The system allowed me to purchase Club Membership for my child(ren) without me or my spouse having purchased Premium/Club Membership. Do I still need to purchase for myself and/or my spouse? Yes. Club card(s) for your child(ren) will only be issued once you or your spouse have purchased Premium/Club Membership, whichever is applicable. Any payments made will not be refunded.
40. Will I still have to pay the regular Platinum card fees, even when I purchase Premium or Club Membership? Yes. The regular Platinum card fees for self and dependants will continue as a monthly Direct Deduction from Salary (DDS).
41. What is the validity of my Premium or Club membership? It will be valid from 1st April 2017 or from the date of payment, whichever comes later; and will be valid until 31st March 2018, regardless of your card expiry date.
42. I’m on notice period. Can I apply for 2017-18 Premium or Club membership? No. Staff on notice period are not eligible to apply for Premium or Club membership. Any payment made cannot be refunded.
43. What happens if my Premium or Club card is lost? In the event of loss or theft of a card, you must request for a replacement card by selecting the ‘Lost’ button on HRDirect > Applications > Emirates Platinum Card. Next working day, visit the EGHQ ESC Platinum Card counter to collect the replacement card. It will have the same validity period as the original card. Refer to General T&Cs > Payment & Fees (schedule of charges).
44. What happens if I lose a participating club’s access card, which was issued to me in exchange for my Premium or Club card? In the event of loss or theft of a club access card, you would have to pay any applicable fee to the respective club, as per their policy.
45. My current Platinum card expires before 31st March 2018 (in July 2017, for example) and I’ve just collected a Premium or Club card. Do I need to get a new one? Yes. The Premium or Club card will show the expiry date associated with your original membership to the Platinum card programme. Participating clubs require a valid card to allow access to their facilities during the contracted period. You will receive a notification on the card renewal process 45 days before card expiry.
46. What happens if I get promoted or downgraded before 31st March 2018? Will my membership be changed according to my new eligibility? A member must only have one card and one type of membership per cycle. The membership you’ve initially purchased during the current cycle will remain valid until 31st March 2018. It cannot be exchanged for the other membership type by paying/refunding the difference, or by paying the full price for the other membership. It’s non-refundable and non-transferable, even if it’s cancelled or withdrawn.
47. What happens if I unsubscribe from the Platinum programme before 31st March 2018? ALL Premium, Club or regular Platinum cards, including any dependant cards, must be returned within one month from card expiry date to avoid charges. Refer to General T&Cs > Payment & Fees (schedule of charges).
48. What happens after 31st March 2018 when the current offer expires and I don’t want to renew/pay for any leisure club membership offer in the next cycle? You must not access any of the clubs after 31st March 2018. The Premium or Club card must be returned within one month from the contracted offer expiry to avoid charges. Refer to General T&Cs > Payment & Fees (schedule of charges).
49. What happens if I leave the company before 31st March 2018? ALL Premium, Club or regular Platinum cards, including any dependant cards, must be returned during end-of- service (EOS) formalities to avoid charges. Refer to General T&Cs > Payment & Fees (schedule of charges).
50. Can I get a refund or transfer my membership to another person? No. The membership is non-refundable and non-transferable, even if it’s cancelled or withdrawn due to either party’s concerns or complaints.
51. Will my Premium or Club card be automatically renewed on 31st March 2018? No. Your payment for the 2017-18 leisure membership is valid until 31st March 2018 only and does not guarantee you a membership after the said date. Closer to the offer expiry date, you will be notified of the next steps or details for the next cycle’s offer.
52. What happens if I go to a club and there are no membership slots free? If membership slots are all in use at the time of your visit, you may be able to pay the special day rate to gain access, subject to availability.
53. How many staff can access each club in a day? A sufficient number of membership slots have been purchased at each club with healthy ratios based on usage trends in the previous years.
54. How many times can I visit a club? You may visit the club as often as you like subject to availability of membership slots at that time.
55. What does “subject to availability” mean? Participating clubs may be accessed provided there are membership slots available at the time of visit. We have a limited number of membership slots at each club, so access is on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means that on a day we may have fully used our membership access at a particular club. The best options then are to either access the club on another day or spend the day at any of the other clubs on the list.
56. Can I book a specific date or time to attend the club? You are not permitted to book a date or time; access is strictly allocated on a first come first served basis.
57. Can I hand in my Premium or Club card at an earlier time to reserve my space at a participating club and come back at a later time? Reservations are not permitted. Access is strictly allocated on a first come first served basis.
58. Can I call to confirm availability before visiting the club? Calling the club does not give you any guarantee of availability by the time you reach the club.
59. Are there specific rules we need to follow when attending the club? When attending the leisure club you must adhere to the regulations, dress code and code of conduct of that club.
60. Who do I contact if I’ve concerns or issues with a participating club? Do not take it up with the club directly. Email your concerns to [email protected]. The Emirates Card Team will look into the matter and get back to you.