Jan 2, 2017, 1:50 am
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
Aug 21, 2017, 5:00 am
#166
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: Skywards Plat, QR privilege club Gold, Topbonus Gold
Posts: 106
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: onboard A/C
Route: CAI-DXB
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: June 2017
Tier status: Plat
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Basically same seat has been assigned in two different BP. I was already on my seat when other PAX approach me saying he had 7A. Asked crew to check and been offered a F seat (Plat / Flex ticket). The other PAX wasn't very happy that i got offered the upgrade but.. thug life..
Upgrade location: onboard A/C
Route: CAI-DXB
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: June 2017
Tier status: Plat
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Basically same seat has been assigned in two different BP. I was already on my seat when other PAX approach me saying he had 7A. Asked crew to check and been offered a F seat (Plat / Flex ticket). The other PAX wasn't very happy that i got offered the upgrade but.. thug life..
Aug 21, 2017, 6:10 am
#167
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: onboard A/C
Route: CAI-DXB
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: June 2017
Tier status: Plat
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Basically same seat has been assigned in two different BP. I was already on my seat when other PAX approach me saying he had 7A. Asked crew to check and been offered a F seat (Plat / Flex ticket). The other PAX wasn't very happy that i got offered the upgrade but.. thug life..
Upgrade location: onboard A/C
Route: CAI-DXB
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: June 2017
Tier status: Plat
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Basically same seat has been assigned in two different BP. I was already on my seat when other PAX approach me saying he had 7A. Asked crew to check and been offered a F seat (Plat / Flex ticket). The other PAX wasn't very happy that i got offered the upgrade but.. thug life..
Aug 21, 2017, 8:10 am
#168
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
OK, EK experts, so for Plats, saver fare now above all Golds for op ups. What about special fares? or award tickets?
Aug 21, 2017, 4:30 pm
#170
Ambassador: Emirates
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: UK/AU
Programs: QF P1 + LTS, EK Gold, BAEC Gold, QR Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,137
Aug 21, 2017, 11:17 pm
#171
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
If you have received an op up then it's about the person checking your boarding pass to remember your name and send you to get a new boarding pass before boarding.
I've seen this situation happen (where two people think they have the same seat) numerous times at CAI (fights are usually extremely overbooked in Y resulting in many Y-J and J-F op ups) once resulting in a big argument onboard.
Aug 22, 2017, 1:35 am
#172
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
At CAI, they do not immediately scan boarding passes at the gate, they simply collect the stubs and then scan them all in a batch.
If you have received an op up then it's about the person checking your boarding pass to remember your name and send you to get a new boarding pass before boarding.
I've seen this situation happen (where two people think they have the same seat) numerous times at CAI (fights are usually extremely overbooked in Y resulting in many Y-J and J-F op ups) once resulting in a big argument onboard.
If you have received an op up then it's about the person checking your boarding pass to remember your name and send you to get a new boarding pass before boarding.
I've seen this situation happen (where two people think they have the same seat) numerous times at CAI (fights are usually extremely overbooked in Y resulting in many Y-J and J-F op ups) once resulting in a big argument onboard.
Aug 24, 2017, 3:40 pm
#173
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: Emirates Skywards (Gold), Hilton (Diamond), Radisson (Gold)
Posts: 370
Hi everyone. Long timer lurker, this is my first post - I've never registered because I never thought I'd have anything of value to contribute. Thank you all though because your contributions here have been invaluable advice.
I normally travel economy, however there were no seats in economy left when I had to make a very short notice trip, so my client paid for business class both ways.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-MAN
Flight number: EK17
Type of ticket: Business Flex
Date of travel: 23/08/17
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 24,500
Skywards miles balance: 6,000ish
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Things that may have contributed to the op-up:
Was 3 hours early to the airport (couldn't sleep - still on UK time), the airport was entirely dead. The check-in desk person noticed it was my birthday the day before. I had quite a long chat at check-in (she wanted to talk, I'm not that outgoing when it comes to talking to people like that).
Alternatively, my ticket type may have meant I was top of the list of a full flight.
Anyway, my first experience of First was spoiled a bit in that it was so early and I knew I had a whole afternoon/evening of parenting ahead of me, and my flight attendant was by no means rude, but was a bit curt and it felt (to me) like every request was an inconvenience. Food was great, wine was great, loved getting so many free goodies, sad that the upgrade was at the gate so I missed out on the First lounge, don't think it's that far of an upgrade from business (I.e. Economy to Business is a way bigger difference than business to first).
I normally travel economy, however there were no seats in economy left when I had to make a very short notice trip, so my client paid for business class both ways.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-MAN
Flight number: EK17
Type of ticket: Business Flex
Date of travel: 23/08/17
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 24,500
Skywards miles balance: 6,000ish
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Things that may have contributed to the op-up:
Was 3 hours early to the airport (couldn't sleep - still on UK time), the airport was entirely dead. The check-in desk person noticed it was my birthday the day before. I had quite a long chat at check-in (she wanted to talk, I'm not that outgoing when it comes to talking to people like that).
Alternatively, my ticket type may have meant I was top of the list of a full flight.
Anyway, my first experience of First was spoiled a bit in that it was so early and I knew I had a whole afternoon/evening of parenting ahead of me, and my flight attendant was by no means rude, but was a bit curt and it felt (to me) like every request was an inconvenience. Food was great, wine was great, loved getting so many free goodies, sad that the upgrade was at the gate so I missed out on the First lounge, don't think it's that far of an upgrade from business (I.e. Economy to Business is a way bigger difference than business to first).
Aug 24, 2017, 8:44 pm
#174
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
Hi everyone. Long timer lurker, this is my first post - I've never registered because I never thought I'd have anything of value to contribute. Thank you all though because your contributions here have been invaluable advice.
I normally travel economy, however there were no seats in economy left when I had to make a very short notice trip, so my client paid for business class both ways.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-MAN
Flight number: EK17
Type of ticket: Business Flex
Date of travel: 23/08/17
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 24,500
Skywards miles balance: 6,000ish
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Things that may have contributed to the op-up:
Was 3 hours early to the airport (couldn't sleep - still on UK time), the airport was entirely dead. The check-in desk person noticed it was my birthday the day before. I had quite a long chat at check-in (she wanted to talk, I'm not that outgoing when it comes to talking to people like that).
Alternatively, my ticket type may have meant I was top of the list of a full flight.
Anyway, my first experience of First was spoiled a bit in that it was so early and I knew I had a whole afternoon/evening of parenting ahead of me, and my flight attendant was by no means rude, but was a bit curt and it felt (to me) like every request was an inconvenience. Food was great, wine was great, loved getting so many free goodies, sad that the upgrade was at the gate so I missed out on the First lounge, don't think it's that far of an upgrade from business (I.e. Economy to Business is a way bigger difference than business to first).
I normally travel economy, however there were no seats in economy left when I had to make a very short notice trip, so my client paid for business class both ways.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-MAN
Flight number: EK17
Type of ticket: Business Flex
Date of travel: 23/08/17
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles to date: 24,500
Skywards miles balance: 6,000ish
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Things that may have contributed to the op-up:
Was 3 hours early to the airport (couldn't sleep - still on UK time), the airport was entirely dead. The check-in desk person noticed it was my birthday the day before. I had quite a long chat at check-in (she wanted to talk, I'm not that outgoing when it comes to talking to people like that).
Alternatively, my ticket type may have meant I was top of the list of a full flight.
Anyway, my first experience of First was spoiled a bit in that it was so early and I knew I had a whole afternoon/evening of parenting ahead of me, and my flight attendant was by no means rude, but was a bit curt and it felt (to me) like every request was an inconvenience. Food was great, wine was great, loved getting so many free goodies, sad that the upgrade was at the gate so I missed out on the First lounge, don't think it's that far of an upgrade from business (I.e. Economy to Business is a way bigger difference than business to first).
Two things contributed to your upgrade:
1. A flex J ticket; and
2. Very heavy Y loads at the moment to MAN - I suspect that F was full and full of upgrades too
If you had been upgraded at check in you still wouldn't have access to the first lounge it would have remained as the J lounge.
I do agree Y to J is better than j to F for sure but the F lounge is generally much nicer and quieter than the J one.
Aug 27, 2017, 9:52 am
#175
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
FINALLY! After a serious streak last year of almost 50% op-up success this is the first in a YEAR!!!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: seat assignment disappeared on MMB, I arrived at check-in 65min before departure, agent made no mention but I immediately saw the new seat number
Route: HYD-DXB
Flight number: EK529
Type of ticket: Y Flex
Date of travel: 27/08/17
Tier status: Gokd
Tier miles to date: 45,500
Skywards miles balance: 27,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Internal load report I got yesterday showed Y over by 25. Had bad experiences in the past with that translating into upgrades but luckily not the case today.
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: seat assignment disappeared on MMB, I arrived at check-in 65min before departure, agent made no mention but I immediately saw the new seat number
Route: HYD-DXB
Flight number: EK529
Type of ticket: Y Flex
Date of travel: 27/08/17
Tier status: Gokd
Tier miles to date: 45,500
Skywards miles balance: 27,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Internal load report I got yesterday showed Y over by 25. Had bad experiences in the past with that translating into upgrades but luckily not the case today.
Last edited by skywardhunter; Aug 27, 2017 at 11:13 am
Aug 27, 2017, 11:00 am
#176
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Programs: Emirates Skywards, KLM Flying blue, Qatar Airways Privilege club, GHA Discovery
Posts: 67
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Lounge . When asking to upgrade with miles I was told that I've received a complimentary upgrade
Route: BKK - DXB
Flight number: EK375
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 25/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 65,500
Skywards miles balance: 112.000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Upgrade location: Lounge . When asking to upgrade with miles I was told that I've received a complimentary upgrade
Route: BKK - DXB
Flight number: EK375
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 25/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 65,500
Skywards miles balance: 112.000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Aug 27, 2017, 5:50 pm
#177
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EK Gold, GF Silver, IC Royal Ambass, Marriott Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 902
Upgrade given: Y -J
Upgrade location: Boarding gate
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK31
Type of ticket: Flex plus
Date of travel: 26/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 87,000
Skywards miles balance: 82,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Upgrade location: Boarding gate
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK31
Type of ticket: Flex plus
Date of travel: 26/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 87,000
Skywards miles balance: 82,000
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Aug 27, 2017, 11:22 pm
#178
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: London, Dubai, Hong Kong
Programs: EK Platinum, BA/SQ Gold, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 139
My last memory of an op-UP was nearly three years ago now on a DXB-LGW flight from J->F
My last op-Down was three months ago when I gave points for J to F on COK-DXB and then they 'operationally' moved everyone else in and used J for Y
My last op-Down was three months ago when I gave points for J to F on COK-DXB and then they 'operationally' moved everyone else in and used J for Y
Aug 31, 2017, 7:04 am
#179
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: EK Gold, A3 *G, AB Gold, Jetblue Mosaic
Posts: 1,386
Upgrade given: Y-J
Upgrade location: at gate
Route: DXB-JFK
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: August 28 2017
Tier status: Silver
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
I knew when I booked the flight was very oversold so not a total surprise. Was going to do miles upgrade onboard if I didn't get a free one. I then asked the purser about using the miles for F but they were totally full from J op ups including the pax infront of me at the gate.
Upgrade location: at gate
Route: DXB-JFK
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: August 28 2017
Tier status: Silver
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
I knew when I booked the flight was very oversold so not a total surprise. Was going to do miles upgrade onboard if I didn't get a free one. I then asked the purser about using the miles for F but they were totally full from J op ups including the pax infront of me at the gate.
Aug 31, 2017, 7:29 am
#180
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: QR Privilege Club Platinum, EK Skywards Gold, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 141
Upgrade given: Y -J
Upgrade location: Day before (saw it on my electronic boarding pass)
Route: DXB - MXP
Flight number: EK205
Type of ticket: Flex plus
Date of travel: 29/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 57k
Skywards miles balance: 199k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Saw the load the previous day of overbooked by 25 plus 5 staff on standby so pretty much knew i was going to be upgraded and was able to ignore the online upgrade offer. Was surprised however to see the upgrade listed on the e-boarding pass so far in advance of the flight. Guess many pax were already inbound to DXB from other destinations on their first leg.
Upgrade location: Day before (saw it on my electronic boarding pass)
Route: DXB - MXP
Flight number: EK205
Type of ticket: Flex plus
Date of travel: 29/08/17
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 57k
Skywards miles balance: 199k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Number of pax upgraded: 1
Saw the load the previous day of overbooked by 25 plus 5 staff on standby so pretty much knew i was going to be upgraded and was able to ignore the online upgrade offer. Was surprised however to see the upgrade listed on the e-boarding pass so far in advance of the flight. Guess many pax were already inbound to DXB from other destinations on their first leg.
