Upgrade given: J- F

Upgrade location: Gate

Route: DXB-KWI

Flight number: EK859

Type of ticket:Flex

Date of travel: 22/05/14

Tier status: Platinum

Number of pax on the same PNR: 1

While checking in I asked if I could get seat 6A or 6K. Was told that no seat was available on this flight other then my preselected one since J is overbooked. I was asked if I would like to use miles to upgrade to F and I declined stating I would rather hope for an opup. The checkin agent said let ne request that for you. She called someone and said to place me on the opup list.

Got my J boarding pass and proceeded to the lounge. When boarding was called the person infront of me got told that you requested for an opup and it cleared. He was upgraded to F. At my turn I was told the same thing and upgraded to F. Is this something new now?