I've just got off the phone to Emirates and they've confused me! I was calling to upgrade a journey from Y to J. The operator checked and said there was no availability in J so there was no point in putting me through to Skywards. I said wait, this wasn't a points upgrade I was asking for - it was going to be paid for. She repeated there was no availability for upgrades despite the flights not being full in J.

Why would a paid for upgrade require me to be transferred to Skywards instead of being dealt with by Emirates themselves?

Why would Emirates turn down any revenue booking - surely it's immaterial whether it was for upgrade or an initial purchase they would get the same cash in the bank?

Or am I missing something here?

The operator has full access to the fare codes available and can advise you on what's available or not available. As I understand it - and I'm happy to be proved wrong as I haven't experienced it personally - a paid upgrade is a different code to paying a full-fare J ticket. They will also know if any full fare J tickets are available and can advise accordingly.

In this case, it seems like business class was full and they saved you a lot of huffing and puffing as the only ticket you can guarantee is a full-fare economy as a Gold member.

Note, if you feel wronged, check seatcounter or expertflyer for seat availability.

Or call again and speak to someone else. A lot of these people are very confused.

Maybe using the word upgrade was the confusing thing. Emirates does offer paid upgrades on some routes which is perhaps what they thought you were talking about.

Perhaps call back and just say that you want to make a change to a booking and then when they have the booking details, tell them that you want to change it to be booked in business class.

Just avoid the use of the word "upgrade" mayhaps

If the flight is fully booked in the revenue business classes, then it will not matter of course.

Thanks guys.

DXBPlat - still plenty of seats in Business Class according to the operator and seat counting sites.

Ung1 - that's a very gentlemanly way to put my usual thoughts when I call them and your right, calling again will no doubt give a different result.

Dave Noble - It's not fully booked but you might be right saying they were confused. Good thoughts about the upgrade word.