I'm sure EK, like all other major carriers, get asked about upgrades with every flight and honeymooners must the pple who request more than anyone else. I would think it highly unlikely: you might be lucky if economy is full but then upgrades are sometimes not decided until passengers are at the gate and the ground staff have the final pax numbers.

I used to work at reservations for KE and one particular mother-in-law rang ahead for the two newly-weds who were travelling LHR-SEL-SYD. She got pretty irate when it was clear the honeymoon excuse wasn't going to work but I explained it wasn't up to reservations staff to make that kind of decision, and besides upgrades usually depend on tkt revenue. ie how high a Y fare the pax paid. So yes, it was very blonde and presumptuous of the travel agent to pass the buck onto the airline, especially to somewhere like the Maldives.

Not that it's much use to you now but if you want to fly J class next time try shopping around with another airline. Qatar Airways and Czech Airlines ( as of this winter) have Maldives fares quite a bit cheaper than EK's.