The Definitive EK On-Board "Cash Upgrade" Thread.
Dec 30, 2011, 7:19 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Delhi
Programs: Emirates gold *alliance silver jet airways platinum tridentprivilege gold.
Posts: 1,817
Flying BOM DXB GRU ON JAN 3. Interested in a special offer upgrade from J to F on one or both sectors and happy to pay a Reasonable amount for the privilege. Never tried or done this before -- any advice or tips on what I can do to get a good offer? Eg call Dubai, call Bombay , write to my home base?
Jan 1, 2012, 10:18 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA GGL, EK Plat, Hilton Diamond, AMEX Plat
Posts: 171
-Phil
Last edited by pjm1300; Jan 1, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Jan 3, 2012, 9:29 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Was quoted USD1500 for J to F DXB-CPT. Later the purser changed that to USD2000 after talking to someone (in revenue presumably) - "as prices have been reviewed from 1 January". 
Expect some nasty surprises!
Expect some nasty surprises!
May 4, 2016, 9:24 am
#54
Join Date: May 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: *G, LO SEN, Shangri-la Diamond
Posts: 26
MRU->DXB Y->J for $1900 with multiple available J seats. No airport upgrade possible due to no EK counter. Makes little sense 
Additionaly, no free upgrades as per check-in, gate and on board crews.
Additionaly, no free upgrades as per check-in, gate and on board crews.
May 5, 2016, 2:54 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
*** ding ding ding. EK passengers (some) have become almost as bad as passengers of the American carriers when it comes to expecting upgrades. Normally, it's none of my business and as long as they have enough food, does not affect me. HOWEVER, the one time I lost the plot w EK was on a flight from MEL. on check in I was told I was the ONLY F passenger. (Booked full fare, etc) but at the gate they just started upgrading like XMAS until F was full. I don't know why this really stuck in my claw but I got up and asked the purser to get a ground supervisor. I politely explained that as an IO if I had not bought F. I certainly would have been upgraded but to be the only passenger paying for F in a now full cabin of 13 upgrades and me, it was not right and I kinda demanded (I'm not usually like that) to have my ticket reissued as a biz class ticket and refund the balance (and of course keep me in F). He was very apologetic and explained my ticket was already used but would send a message to Dubai. 2 weeks later I got a check for a FULL refund for that flight. Not one of my proudest moments and I've never been accused of being a DYKWIA. I'm still embarrassed to this day that I got so worked up over something so petty but EK needs to find a middle ground. They have a better percentage then most other airlines of full F passengers but they need to stop upgrading at the gate unless it's for oversold reasons. Status should count for zip. I've been a Gold or Plat every year since the program started and have NEVER gotten an upgrade cuz I'm dumb enough to always pay for F. Perhaps on routes where EK is known to upgrade liberally I should start buying J and see if EK notices. The people at IO have remarked they can't see one tkt bought in anything but F as far back as they can look so they obviously do look
May 6, 2016, 1:45 am
#57
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Flying BOM DXB GRU ON JAN 3. Interested in a special offer upgrade from J to F on one or both sectors and happy to pay a Reasonable amount for the privilege. Never tried or done this before -- any advice or tips on what I can do to get a good offer? Eg call Dubai, call Bombay , write to my home base?
May 6, 2016, 3:23 am
#58
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
*** ding ding ding. EK passengers (some) have become almost as bad as passengers of the American carriers when it comes to expecting upgrades. Normally, it's none of my business and as long as they have enough food, does not affect me. HOWEVER, the one time I lost the plot w EK was on a flight from MEL. on check in I was told I was the ONLY F passenger. (Booked full fare, etc) but at the gate they just started upgrading like XMAS until F was full. I don't know why this really stuck in my claw but I got up and asked the purser to get a ground supervisor. I politely explained that as an IO if I had not bought F. I certainly would have been upgraded but to be the only passenger paying for F in a now full cabin of 13 upgrades and me, it was not right and I kinda demanded (I'm not usually like that) to have my ticket reissued as a biz class ticket and refund the balance (and of course keep me in F). He was very apologetic and explained my ticket was already used but would send a message to Dubai. 2 weeks later I got a check for a FULL refund for that flight. Not one of my proudest moments and I've never been accused of being a DYKWIA. I'm still embarrassed to this day that I got so worked up over something so petty but EK needs to find a middle ground. They have a better percentage then most other airlines of full F passengers but they need to stop upgrading at the gate unless it's for oversold reasons. Status should count for zip. I've been a Gold or Plat every year since the program started and have NEVER gotten an upgrade cuz I'm dumb enough to always pay for F. Perhaps on routes where EK is known to upgrade liberally I should start buying J and see if EK notices. The people at IO have remarked they can't see one tkt bought in anything but F as far back as they can look so they obviously do look
Safe & Happy Travels
S
May 6, 2016, 8:57 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
