Originally Posted by YuropFlyer

I can agree with this mostly.

Showing up early at check-in and especially knowing there are flights they can rebook you available is a big plus when you know the flight is oversold, simply go to the check-in agent, tell him friendly "I know the flight is oversold, you're probably looking for volunteers to take a later/different flight" - this has helped me with Emirates the best, though never in DXB but at outside stations while check-in to DXB. Or, but I never had with with EK, they'll up-op you on the same flight.(As they'll mark you with "has volenteered to take later flight", and get you a new C BP at boarding because of this, when the agents are looking whom to upgrade because overbooking... yes, had such smart agents!) At least the "take another flight and fly a service class higher" seems to work with low states as well. Op-Up probably better chance as Gold. But if you catch the right check-in guy/girl and they're indeed overbooked, then they might have allowance to decide whom to upgrade (Again, that's a hit or miss - be friendly and looking decent (not overdressed) might give you a better chance, but it can be very well they'll not care at all and just upgrade by throwing a dice...)