Originally Posted by
flyer_sam
Hello All,
I'm an avid reader of different posts here on Flyertalk but I made this account to specifically ask a question relating to upgrading from Emirates (Blue Member) Business (business saver one way, return business flex) upgrade to First class.
I'm flying in the month of July on Emirates from YYZ to DXB and onto another final city on a business saver ticket. The cost difference between the business saver and first saver was about ~$1200 CAD one way. However, for the flight back from DXB to YYZ it was a difference of about $800-900 (business flex to first saver).
I called Emirates, and the agent told me that you can pay the regular price to upgrade it, however, the best option is to wait for an email closer to your departure which would provide a "promotional" pricing to effectively pay half that cost (so around $400-500) for the upgrade.
The agent, who said he has been working for several years, has rarely seen airport upgrades from Business to First. So my first question - is this true? What are the chances of an upgrade at a cheaper cost at the airport vs. over the phone (full price)?
Secondly, the agent told me that I can ask for a "complimentary upgrade" at YYZ or DXB, but I personally feel as if this question has been asked several times from passengers.
Nonetheless, if anyone could provide some clarity into all this I would appreciate it!
Hello there and welcome to Flyer Talk and the Emirates forum!
I am sorry that I can’t give you good news here, as much as I would like to!
My first reaction was that this agent is not as knowledgeable as he / she ought to be!
Whilst email upgrade offers are not unusual ( but by no means certain!) for Y to J, I have never had such an offer from J to F. I’m not saying it does not happen, but it would appear very unlikely.
As far as ‘cheaper upgrade offers’ at the airport are concerned: same story. No record of this happening.
And finally ‘complimentary ‘ upgrades. You can ask for one, but you won’t get one. Free upgrades are given when a cabin is fully booked (so called ‘operational upgrades’). And not to those who ask for them, but they are allocated by a computer in Dubai according to rules which use ticket type and status as inputs. As a blue member with a Saver (or even a Flex) ticket you will be quite far down the list, but it’s not actually impossible.
The usual advice applies: if you really want to fly F, the best way to achieve it is to pay for it! The ‘J Flex to F Saver route is often a very attractive option which I have used myself a few times and have never been sorry to do so.