Availability of upgrades is dependent on historical loads for a flight depending on route and season. While some upgrades are made available several months prior to a flight, most become available closer to the date of travel, from a couple of weeks to a day in advance.

Note that mileage upgrades entitle you to all the benefits of a paid ticket, such as Chauffeur drive, additional baggage allowance and Lounge access.

Use Expertflyer. Set an alert under awards and upgrades for D (Business) or Z (First). You will receive an e-mail notification once it is available.

Manage a Booking. Retrieve your booking using your PNR, and select the upgrade using miles option.

Make a dummy booking. Log into your account on emirates.com and try making a booking for your date/ route in Saver Business/ First. The fare bucket used for redemption Saver flights is the same as that used for upgrades.

Call Skywards. There are two upgrades in addition to the D/ Z inventory made available especially to Skywards Gold members, for which you need to speak to an agent. Alternatively, you can ask to be placed on a waitlist for upgrades.