Advice on paid upgrades
Oct 22, 2014, 3:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Qantas
Posts: 2
Advice on paid upgrades
HELP
We are half way through a long haul trip with Emirates and don't think we can face another leg in economy. Does anyone have anyone have any suggestions on the best way/most cost effective way to upgrade to business class from Milan - Dubai- Hong Kong?
We are half way through a long haul trip with Emirates and don't think we can face another leg in economy. Does anyone have anyone have any suggestions on the best way/most cost effective way to upgrade to business class from Milan - Dubai- Hong Kong?
Oct 22, 2014, 8:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
Or failing that which is probably unlikely for all legs you should go to manage my booking and upgrade via price not schedule. Depending on what economy ticket you have you may have a significant change fee or none at all. If you booked through a travel agent sometimes ek won't let you upgrade even for a fee (that what my parents were told once).
Oct 23, 2014, 12:16 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
m3red is a very frequent EK flyer and has pretty much covered your question.
My only additional (and somewhat basic !) advice is that - quite apart from any 'change fees' which might apply - you should prepare yourself to be quoted a LOT more money for upgrading the remaining sectors in relation to the original cost of your tickets. Maybe even four times as much ......
(but then I would imagine you already knew this !)
My only additional (and somewhat basic !) advice is that - quite apart from any 'change fees' which might apply - you should prepare yourself to be quoted a LOT more money for upgrading the remaining sectors in relation to the original cost of your tickets. Maybe even four times as much ......
(but then I would imagine you already knew this !)
Last edited by subject2load; Oct 23, 2014 at 12:17 am Reason: spelling
Oct 23, 2014, 1:51 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
m3red is a very frequent EK flyer and has pretty much covered your question.
My only additional (and somewhat basic !) advice is that - quite apart from any 'change fees' which might apply - you should prepare yourself to be quoted a LOT more money for upgrading the remaining sectors in relation to the original cost of your tickets. Maybe even four times as much ......
(but then I would imagine you already knew this !)
My only additional (and somewhat basic !) advice is that - quite apart from any 'change fees' which might apply - you should prepare yourself to be quoted a LOT more money for upgrading the remaining sectors in relation to the original cost of your tickets. Maybe even four times as much ......
(but then I would imagine you already knew this !)
I agree you should be prepared for a shock in the cost.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:14 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
I tend to use my miles, and upgrade either online, gate or onboard.
If you have Skywards and sufficient miles, do use this option as the paid upgrade is (as previous posters have said) prohibitive.
If you have Skywards and sufficient miles, do use this option as the paid upgrade is (as previous posters have said) prohibitive.
Oct 23, 2014, 10:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,118
Flew back from Barcelona via Dubai back to HKG a few weeks ago. At check in at Barcelona, there was a sign at each economy counter advertising "Upgrade to Business Class to Dubai for EUR380". Not sure if this applies for ALL economy fares and I did not ask. Perhaps you may get lucky at check-in in Milan. 
Be thankful you are not stuck in economy on Cathay !
Be thankful you are not stuck in economy on Cathay !
Oct 24, 2014, 2:57 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
Also check the price of a fresh ticket for the return journey . Sometimes you will be surprised to know that a new ticket might be cheaper than trying a cash upgrade .
Since you are halfway through your trip you might think of searching for a single ticket (one way) in J to get back home . Don't do this .Search for a J ticket on your way back home and return in economy (obviously you don't need to use the economy bit). Single J gets usually booked as a flex ticket while a return With J out and Y return might be a J saver out and Y saver return ( you are not planning to use the Y bit anyway). This return fare is usually cheaper than a Flex single in J .
Since you are halfway through your trip you might think of searching for a single ticket (one way) in J to get back home . Don't do this .Search for a J ticket on your way back home and return in economy (obviously you don't need to use the economy bit). Single J gets usually booked as a flex ticket while a return With J out and Y return might be a J saver out and Y saver return ( you are not planning to use the Y bit anyway). This return fare is usually cheaper than a Flex single in J .