Emirates: The process to upgrade with points from paid Eco to Business is super easy. You book a paid fare, login to your Skywards account, retrieve the flight and click the upgrade function. It's instant and seems to be available as long as there are seats left in Business.

Qatar Airways: It's a hassle. Book economy and then you can request and upgrade which will be reviewed manually within 2 days or so. I then requested an upgrade for a specific date but was told that it is not available, although there were paid seats available to buy online for the same flight. I then told them that I am flexible and can move my ticket to another date within the next two month but was again told it is not possible which is shocking. I then told them that it is unacceptable that they are not able to find a single available date within the next 3 months where an upgrade would be available and questioned the Gold benefits. After talking to some more senior people I was then offered the upgrade for my originally requested date.

If Qatar Airways is not prepared to loose the opportunity to sell the business class seats at full fare they should stop their Privilege Club programme and stop to annoy their most valuable customers.