Originally Posted by
Umair Danka
So two questions really:
- I have sufficient point to upgrade our flights, I can see seats are available but the upgrade options isn’t available. Anyway I’ve put it on auto upgrade. My question is that if I check in the morning of the flight that seats are available, should I insist on the upgrade?
- What is usually the fare difference between economy and business at the time of check in. My understanding is that the price difference isn’t the same as if I were to book an upgrade, say, few days earlier?
so:
- 2 Adults, 1 child under 2 - two seats booked;
- Syd to DXb leg (DXB to Syd leg upgraded)
Hello Umair Danka, welcome to FlyerTalk and the Emirates forum in particular!
Your first question: 'Seeing' seats available (I don't know where you see these, but that is perfectly possible / easy) has some, but not a lot to do with availability of upgrades (or awards in general). Only when the airline believes they cannot sell the seats for cash will they make them available for awards, that is a business decision. Based on past performance (route, time of year etc) this may be several weeks in advance or only hours before departure. Auto upgrade is a good tool, but it does not always work so I suggest you check on Manage My Booking regularly as well.
At some moment (usually when the flight has been 'closed', which is rather shortly before departure - think hours rather than days), availability changes to 'available seats' and at that stage you can 'insist' (not sure that is the right word to use) on the upgrade. This will undoubtedly be at the airport, or even on board!
Second question: You may get an offer (via email) for an upgrade at a lower cost than the fare difference, but generally cash upgrades are for the difference in fare between your ticket and the available business class fare (which may be a Flex+ fare by the time you get to the airport).