Emirates Op-Up Tactic?
 

Hi Fellow FTers,

After unsuccessfully hoping for a cheap upgrade here, I now found my return flight in 2 Weeks to be almost full (1 Seat left in Y).
[Edit: That means 1 Seat left to be sold in Y on the EK Website. I am not sure how many seats EK oversells usually]

Chances are accordingly quite high I would think, that they op-up a few pax.
What is the best way to get upgraded with emirates at DXB then?
- Be as early as possible?
- Be as late as possible?
- Ask to be op-up'd or offer to be bumped?

Unfortunately, while this is my third trip to UAE, this will be my first ever flights on EK, so I don't have Status or miles yet (but that could change as I am considering to move there... ^)

Op Ups usually go to status members first. in your case, i would simply plead for it at check-in, with a large box of Godivas, 2 dozen roses, toys, trinkets, or whatever else the agent may find valuable.

I would almost certainly add to that list a Patek Phillipe for the check-in agent, a platinum Breitling for the captain and a Gold (but diamond encrusted) Rolex for the purser (remember to buy his and hers of each though watch though). Alternatively, most people find buying a ticket in the class you actually want to be in a cheaper and more effective option. . . ;)

Regards,

JGX

Sounds like a plan!

...but would exceed my budget too I'm afraid...

I guess I need to find a Job in Sales, else I'm never going to be able to gain the status or money to fly C :D

best way to get an op-up:

goto the airport early and kick the counter with your open toed sandals. point out to the attendant that you are injured and require an op-up. almost 99% chance you'll get it for medical reasons.

A combination of both - Be as late as possible and make note to the check in staff that you are aware the flight is pretty full and are making yourself available for an upgrade (ONLY IF they don't say anything up the moment they are printing your boarding pass).

rofl

oh man, we will never forget that story. it will go down in FT EK subforum history.

Priceless!! :D I wonder what ever happened to him?!?!?

his wife has 3 other appendages so they're concocting some plan...

no doubt she'll follow my plan and get the op-up leaving india. the plan can't fail.

Or if you book by 30th April

HSBC credit card holders can take advantage of fantastic Economy Class fares to destinations on the Emirates network. Plus, every 50th booking made (on a rolling basis) will receive a free upgrade to Business Class for all the passengers in that booking

In general, regular check-in agents do not have the power to upgrade anyone, particularly in DXB where there is an operations desk in the back office. This enforced policy is obviously to avoid any "deals" agents could make with pax, think about airports like LOS or ACC where agents are not EK contracted.

After flying some years with EK I do not see any further op-up pattern than:

- Y (or C) oversold (which is the main main main condition to be happen)
- Status (and then within each level, I am not sure if they consider current tier miles)


These are the two main drivers. People say that pax with "special meals" are considered to be last because their desired meal might not be loaded for the premium cabins.

I also would like to know if showing up at check-in early or late helps ...

I can agree with this mostly.

Showing up early at check-in and especially knowing there are flights they can rebook you available is a big plus when you know the flight is oversold, simply go to the check-in agent, tell him friendly "I know the flight is oversold, you're probably looking for volunteers to take a later/different flight" - this has helped me with Emirates the best, though never in DXB but at outside stations while check-in to DXB. Or, but I never had with with EK, they'll up-op you on the same flight.(As they'll mark you with "has volenteered to take later flight", and get you a new C BP at boarding because of this, when the agents are looking whom to upgrade because overbooking... yes, had such smart agents!) At least the "take another flight and fly a service class higher" seems to work with low states as well. Op-Up probably better chance as Gold. But if you catch the right check-in guy/girl and they're indeed overbooked, then they might have allowance to decide whom to upgrade (Again, that's a hit or miss - be friendly and looking decent (not overdressed) might give you a better chance, but it can be very well they'll not care at all and just upgrade by throwing a dice...)

Volunteering to take a later flight doesn't mean it'll be in a higher class. I did that once, and still ended up in Y on the later flight, even though it must have had only a couple of empty Y seats.

As for upgrades being based on status, I have a friend who got op-uped despite having no status and absolutely no interest in flying J.

I got Op-Upd today at the Business Class lounge. I, flying to DEL, and this other lady flying to London, both asked separate agents at the same time. She was obviously Gold as well, considering she had access to use the lounge, but the lady who took her boarding pass came back saying that economy wasnt full so they weren't doing upgrades. The gent who was helping me told me Y was full on my flight to DEL, so they upgraded me to business.

So I guess, there needs to be an oversell situation at least for op-ups to happen.