Originally Posted by
LVGlobetrotter
Thanks for the reply eternaltransit.
This is actually a CPT-USA ticket I'm looking at.
I think I'm better off buying the seats
One last question: lets say there are four empty seats in F 60 min before departure. We are all on the upgrade list. Would EK upgrade us all? Do they withhold seats?
If you mean upgrade list similar to US-based airlines, there is no such thing on EK. If J is not overbooked, EK will send the flight out with an empty F cabin. If J is overbooked, controllers will look for go by Skywards tier looking for solo travellers. (So, solo platinum flyers, then platinum flyers in smaller groups, then golds). However, this is not a cast iron rule: controllers have the discretion to move anyone they want for any operational reason, there's no published rules. Their main concern is not to be hassled by DXB for late closing of a flight.
Status pax on board in J may use miles to upgrade once doors are closed/flight is closed. You may also use cash on board on a space available basis, but you will pay the fare difference - pursers in flight have tablets with the cost (miles or cash) pre-calculated.