I did have an agent op-up me at check-in in Dubai a few months ago. I was silver then. That was also on an oversold DXB-DEL flight.

DXB-BOM and DXB-DRL (and visa versa) are great for op ups. I have received many, I usually go to the EK desk in the lounge and check that the seat next to me (in J) is empty, knowing full well that it isn't, and they usually smile and give me an F pass. I do this exactly an hour before departure when the flight closes.

I have had op ups DXB-SFO, DXB-LHR and HKG-DXB all from J to F. I saw one guy (also gold as he was in the lounge) go from Y to F seats on the DXB-BHX when they have 2 class. Great deal, I kicked myself for buying a J ticket on the first day of Eid! I should have worked that one out for myself!

I guess it does help being gold, and not sure if this accounts for anything, but having flown lots in F on full fare tickets may, just may, account for something too, I am sure they have it on record - also the amount of tier miles, I had over 200'000 thousand by the end of 2009.

Up in the Air 2.. starring Down_the_back.

Hmmm... making a note of that!
Lets see if it works... need to work on my smile though

IMHO I think staus within Skywards has 90% of the free upgrade outcome. I usually fly Y and several time when I arrive in DBX they tell me I am top of the list to be upgraded.

I am Gold with 150,000 tiers miles, so think this is the criteria. I have also been told that with non EK office destinations this is definately the case as outside agents cannot upgrade you without Dubia's permission.

If you have status, I think it's ok to ask for the opup (but ask if the flight is oversold first.) I've heard that some airlines won't upgrade pax that specifically ask but I've asked on EK (with status) and usually received the opup if oversold.

FWIW, opup % is VERY dependant on route travelled. If you travel on popular routes (LHR,SYD,India etc.) you are likely to have a high # of opups. But if you fly less popular routes, then it is less likely.

Cheers,

But at the end it comes back to the fact that the booking class you are travelling, being it Y or C, is overbooked. Not because it is popular route. The fact that it is a popular route raises probability that booking classes are oversold.

Or do you have another theory (I am curious). I believe that it can be certainly an unpopular route (lets say CAI) but with high chances for op-up because flights are not frequent enough to satisfy demand, thus, always full.

I def here you, on all my DME flights, the load in Y was light, so I always booked in the back to get my own lie-flat and then slept for some hours.

But the logic behind booking those seats is obviously not a mystery we are trying to evaluate here. I still would like to hear more about the actual practices how op-ups happen.

to ONCI or not?
 

Hi all

I'm flying out MAN-DXB-ICN on 08 Feb and I'm, ofcourse interested in this subject. First time on EK but I have status with BA and other airlines.

Will I be ruling myself out for an upgrade completely if I check in online? I wont be arriving at MAN until 2 1/2 hours before so I'm concerned about clearing security and checking in ontime..

I guess the question I'm asking is...has anyone here been upgraded through ONCI?

Cheers

Only when I am in J and they suddenly operate a 3 class aircraft (BHX usually). Always happens when it is..

Now question for you - If I rocked up with my Status Gold EK at the British Airways Desk expecting an upgrade to J from Y - what are the chances? Mu guess is roughly the same as you have with you Status BA at the Emirates Desk :D

Well FWIW I know someone who got upgraded from J to F on BA on IAH - LHR, first time on BA and no status on any airline. Anything seems possible.

wasnt implying my BA status would get me anywhere, just comparing it with my lack of skywards:)

i think i'll opt for ONCI and just get my prefered seat in Y. Will keep my fingers crossed on the day for a miricle.

I wonder if age plays any role in this.

No, that's definitely what I'm thinking too. Popular flight (or restricted/undeserved flight, I've seen LOTS of opups on DXB-YYZ despite it being only 3 x weekly) raises P(your booking class is oversold) which increases P(opup).

Bingo! That's mainly why opups are such a big thing at EK! ;)