Originally Posted by
eightblack
Sadly, EK don't operate the way of the US carriers re the up-selling of Y to J. Your friend would have to pay the difference in fares between what he/she paid and the published C/J fare on the day. The amount would be outrageous.
The best advice we could give you is for your friend to join Skywards. Then if they have a Starwood account, transfer any points (its 1 to 1) so better than UA.
Last time I was at Singapore airport considering to upgrade from discount business to 1st class, the agent at the desk got out a sheet which had various set rates to pay to upgrade which was easier and cheaper than a fare difference and reissue would have been