Using Miles to Upgrade
 

Is there any point in using miles to upgrade at check-in? I have been op-up'd in the lounge and at the gate before so presumably I could save the miles by waiting until I'm past these two points before deciding I have to use my miles.

Obviously availability comes into it as someone else could take the seat before I board but are there any other potential problems with this?

I made a mistake the other day using miles to confirm an upgrade, prior to check-in. But then again, it depends on do you want to play upgrade lottery on the day of departure.

I flew out of SIN and was heading to MEL the other day and would be on the ground for 8-hrs before doing a quick turn and heading back to SIN. So I needed to sleep and confirmed the upgrade.

When I got to the lounge in SIN, my "girlfriends" on reception told me "why did you use miles today Mr Eightblack, we would have comped you one. In fact, EK has been op-upping even Blue members these past 2 weeks due to high loads..."

I didn't really mind. But next time, I am not going to use miles until after I have checked in. If you can ascertain the loads via your departure point, then all the better.

There are no problems in doing this. If there's space in J, then you can do it last minute.

I have only once upgraded at check-in which was J to f and only becasue it was my Birthday and on the DXB-LAX route- so thought it would be worth it!!

If I was a blue or even silver I would probably do it in advance, but I lik eto play the odds-- no matter how bad they really are in this case!!

I plan to wait till on board to upgrade on my next trip to YYZ-- loads look full, so hoping for the op-up, and if that fails that there is still space in J and do it on board.

I'm suffering this quandary too (as I've mentioned in other posts)

I'm on EK4 on 17th Aug in J, and would love an F suite. I've actually got on a waitlist for F, and there are currently (at least) 4 seats free in F, 7 in J and 8 in Y.

Any thoughts on what my chances are?

I have had more op-ups J to F than Y to J -- so unless something "special" or miles about to expire-- I personally would wait till onboard.

Can we really wait for upgrade on board? As far as I have experience op-up, it is always in the lounge or at boarding gate.

Please kindly give me a picture of this fun. Thank you.

I was asking about using miles for upgrade on-board.

My advice, if you are in an EK lounge wait until 55 minutes beore departure, ask if the seat next to you is free, they will check and usually, if OP-Ups are on that day and your name was pulled out, produce your new boarding pass there and then.

If that fails, then you ask for the upgrade using your miles!

Has worked for me on odd ocassions....

Odd as in been upgraded the odd time. Again, usually J - F

Good luck

DW

I'll take that advice and give it a go. I've already got myself waitlisted for an F upgrade for EK4 on the way out, but haven't done anything for EK1 coming back - will let you all know how I get on!

Thanks for the advice DTB - I always pay attention to your posts :)