Last edit by: Saltire74
Please post your 2017 Operational Upgrade Experiences in this thread.
Around the middle of 2016, Emirates modified their Operational Upgrade Policy favouring type of ticket over status holders, giving non status passengers on Flex and Flex Plus tickets an advantage over (for example) Silver members on a Saver ticket. During the latter half of 2016, less Op Ups were reported but we would still like to hear when they happen.
Link to the 2015/2016 thread: Please Post Your Operational Upgrade Experiences - 2015/2016
Please use the following format for ease of reading and of course, discussion is still welcome.
Example:
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: BKK-DXB
Flight number: EK385
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 040115
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 18,000
Skywards miles balance: 80,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Safe & Happy Travels and May The Upgrade Gods Look Upon You.
Saltire74
Around the middle of 2016, Emirates modified their Operational Upgrade Policy favouring type of ticket over status holders, giving non status passengers on Flex and Flex Plus tickets an advantage over (for example) Silver members on a Saver ticket. During the latter half of 2016, less Op Ups were reported but we would still like to hear when they happen.
Link to the 2015/2016 thread: Please Post Your Operational Upgrade Experiences - 2015/2016
Please use the following format for ease of reading and of course, discussion is still welcome.
Example:
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: BKK-DXB
Flight number: EK385
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 040115
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 18,000
Skywards miles balance: 80,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Safe & Happy Travels and May The Upgrade Gods Look Upon You.
Saltire74
Your Operational Upgrades Experience 2017 - Please Post Here
#61
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Emirates Skywards
Posts: 3
MEL AKL upgrade to business both directions
Recently travelled to and from MEL AKL and received an upgrade from economy to business in both directions on the Emirates A380 - absolutely thrilled. My partner was also upgraded - we had booked separately - but went to the check in desk together. The upgrade on the way over was at the check in desk whereas the upgrade on the return was at the gate. Have a business class leg booked later this year on return from Europe, don't know if that would have any bearing. Was also a significant birthday for me but again doubt that had a bearing as didn't say anything about it. I had received an offer email both directions to upgrade for about $350 but didn't bother as partner hadn't received the offer. Have been brand loyal to Emirates over many years and had purchased upgrades before using miles. Partner is more recent convert, especially now!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Last edited by Christine from Melbourne; Apr 13, 2017 at 5:01 pm
#62
Moderator, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
Recently travelled to and from MEL AKL and received an upgrade from economy to business in both directions on the Emirates A380 - absolutely thrilled. My partner was also upgraded - we had booked separately - but went to the check in desk together. The upgrade on the way over was at the check in desk whereas the upgrade on the return was at the gate. Have a business class leg booked later this year on return from Europe, don't know if that would have any bearing. Was also a significant birthday for me but again doubt that had a bearing as didn't say anything about it. I had received an offer email both directions to upgrade for about $350 but didn't bother as partner hadn't received the offer. Have been brand loyal to Emirates over many years and had purchased upgrades before using miles. Partner is more recent convert, especially now!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Welcome to Flyertalk and the Emirates forum and what a nice reason for you to bring you hear. Our upgrade thread is a little more sparse this year since EK changed their OpUp policy and not too many reports of an upgrade from saver fares. Well done.
Again, welcome to the forum. We are a fairly friendly bunch here and it would be good to hear of your experience and knowledge of travelling on EK and of course, we have a wealth of information in the dashboard and from fellow contributors should you find yourself asking any questions about Emirates or Skywards so please make yourself at home and enjoy the ride.
Safe & Happy Travels
S
#63
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Emirates Skywards
Posts: 3
Early check in...
Thank you for the kind welcome, Saltire. I used to lurk here a while back but thought I would share my experiences this time around. I also thought it worth mentioning that with both of the flights we were upgraded for we checked in very early - possibly among the first for the flight. I don't know if this makes a difference by leaving you higher up on the manifest and therefore more likely to be picked for opup at the gate. Regardless, it was a wonderful experience. Looking forward even more to our business return leg from Europe to Melbourne later this year.
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Thank you for the kind welcome, Saltire. I used to lurk here a while back but thought I would share my experiences this time around. I also thought it worth mentioning that with both of the flights we were upgraded for we checked in very early - possibly among the first for the flight. I don't know if this makes a difference by leaving you higher up on the manifest and therefore more likely to be picked for opup at the gate. Regardless, it was a wonderful experience. Looking forward even more to our business return leg from Europe to Melbourne later this year.
#65
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Recently travelled to and from MEL AKL and received an upgrade from economy to business in both directions on the Emirates A380 - absolutely thrilled. My partner was also upgraded - we had booked separately - but went to the check in desk together. The upgrade on the way over was at the check in desk whereas the upgrade on the return was at the gate. Have a business class leg booked later this year on return from Europe, don't know if that would have any bearing. Was also a significant birthday for me but again doubt that had a bearing as didn't say anything about it. I had received an offer email both directions to upgrade for about $350 but didn't bother as partner hadn't received the offer. Have been brand loyal to Emirates over many years and had purchased upgrades before using miles. Partner is more recent convert, especially now!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: MEL-AKL
Flight number: EK406
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 3 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: AKL-MEL
Flight number: EK407
Type of ticket: Economy saver
Date of travel: 10 April 2017
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 38
Skywards miles balance: 20K
Number of pax upgraded: 2
#66
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Emirates Skywards
Posts: 3
Thanks Skywardhunter for that info - and you are correct - seq 563 on way over and seq 280 on way back - so not about status, fare type or manifest! So there goes that theory
Definitely a surprise, Thijsseh - especially when it happened twice!
Definitely a surprise, Thijsseh - especially when it happened twice!
#67
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
An unexpected upgrade yesterday given the new rules although with 16 children in J it was definitely not the most peaceful of flights. Expert Flyer showed Y0 J3 just before check in closed.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-LHR
Type of ticket: Saver (T)
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 (just started new tier year)
Skywards miles balance: 190k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-LHR
Type of ticket: Saver (T)
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 (just started new tier year)
Skywards miles balance: 190k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
#68
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
An unexpected upgrade yesterday given the new rules although with 16 children in J it was definitely not the most peaceful of flights. Expert Flyer showed Y0 J3 just before check in closed.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-LHR
Type of ticket: Saver (T)
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 (just started new tier year)
Skywards miles balance: 190k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-LHR
Type of ticket: Saver (T)
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 (just started new tier year)
Skywards miles balance: 190k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Maybe they have gone back to the old (status based) rules? There has been some rumours / speculation on that.
#69
Moderator, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
#70
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I'm flying HYD-DXB Tuesday morning, a route where historically I'd be op-upped >50% of the time. I'm on a Saver Award in Y and the flight shows Y0 J7, so let's see what happens. I'm cautiously optimistic
#71
Moderator, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
S
#72
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
As a further data point, I got upgraded from J-F from Tokyo to Dubai earlier last week. Granted, it was a J flex ticket but I was told at check in that I was first on the upgrade list. From experience, there are usually quite a few people on J flex plus tickets from Tokyo so again, I was a little surprised. Flight was showing as J0 Y0.
#73
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I thought that even prior to the rule change it wasn't possible to get op ups on award/upgrade tickets?
As a further data point, I got upgraded from J-F from Tokyo to Dubai earlier last week. Granted, it was a J flex ticket but I was told at check in that I was first on the upgrade list. From experience, there are usually quite a few people on J flex plus tickets from Tokyo so again, I was a little surprised. Flight was showing as J0 Y0.
As a further data point, I got upgraded from J-F from Tokyo to Dubai earlier last week. Granted, it was a J flex ticket but I was told at check in that I was first on the upgrade list. From experience, there are usually quite a few people on J flex plus tickets from Tokyo so again, I was a little surprised. Flight was showing as J0 Y0.
Y0J0 means no seats for sale, so good chance of upgrades.
#74
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 84
We've been upgraded on award tickets (before the rule change)
#75
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
Just been upgraded at check-in from Y-J from CAI-DXB on a saver (Q) ticket. EF still showing seats available all the way to U1. Ghostwrita reported on another thread that he has received some Y-J upgrades on saver tickets very recently too. Could the rules have finally changed back..?
Seat map looked completely empty in Y earlier this morning and is now showing as completely full which reinforces the fact that it is a very unreliable way of knowing how busy a flight really is.
Seat map looked completely empty in Y earlier this morning and is now showing as completely full which reinforces the fact that it is a very unreliable way of knowing how busy a flight really is.