Trying to book upgradeable MAN-DXB-BNE
May 1, 2012, 9:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Programs: VA- Platinum
Posts: 58
Trying to book upgradeable MAN-DXB-BNE
Hi,
I'm pretty new at this so please bear with me but I'm trying to book 2 x flex Y class (econ?) on the above route at the end of June (28th is best date) and then use Skywards miles to upgrade to J.
Expertflyer shows little/no availability in J on that date for window/aisle for EK434 and EK432 but several blocked seats.
- Does anyone know if the blocked seats are likely to be released a reasonable time before departure?
- Any hints on roughly when reward seats are generally made available?
- EK432 transits through SIN, do passengers need to disembark?
- Should I be trying to do J in A380 (which I've done previously and was great) or is the 777-300ER comparable?
Thanks for any help guys, seems pretty complex to a newbie! ^
I'm pretty new at this so please bear with me but I'm trying to book 2 x flex Y class (econ?) on the above route at the end of June (28th is best date) and then use Skywards miles to upgrade to J.
Expertflyer shows little/no availability in J on that date for window/aisle for EK434 and EK432 but several blocked seats.
- Does anyone know if the blocked seats are likely to be released a reasonable time before departure?
- Any hints on roughly when reward seats are generally made available?
- EK432 transits through SIN, do passengers need to disembark?
- Should I be trying to do J in A380 (which I've done previously and was great) or is the 777-300ER comparable?
Thanks for any help guys, seems pretty complex to a newbie! ^
May 2, 2012, 3:03 am
#2
Moderator, Trip Reports
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS-2MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,715
Hi,
I'm pretty new at this so please bear with me but I'm trying to book 2 x flex Y class (econ?) on the above route at the end of June (28th is best date) and then use Skywards miles to upgrade to J.
Expertflyer shows little/no availability in J on that date for window/aisle for EK434 and EK432 but several blocked seats.
- Does anyone know if the blocked seats are likely to be released a reasonable time before departure?
- Any hints on roughly when reward seats are generally made available?
- EK432 transits through SIN, do passengers need to disembark?
- Should I be trying to do J in A380 (which I've done previously and was great) or is the 777-300ER comparable?
Thanks for any help guys, seems pretty complex to a newbie! ^
I'm pretty new at this so please bear with me but I'm trying to book 2 x flex Y class (econ?) on the above route at the end of June (28th is best date) and then use Skywards miles to upgrade to J.
Expertflyer shows little/no availability in J on that date for window/aisle for EK434 and EK432 but several blocked seats.
- Does anyone know if the blocked seats are likely to be released a reasonable time before departure?
- Any hints on roughly when reward seats are generally made available?
- EK432 transits through SIN, do passengers need to disembark?
- Should I be trying to do J in A380 (which I've done previously and was great) or is the 777-300ER comparable?
Thanks for any help guys, seems pretty complex to a newbie! ^
I catch the 432 often and yes, pax are required to get off the plane in SIN. The layover isnt long and if ever there was an airport that was/is pleasant to transit in, it is SIN.
On the flights I take, EK's system typically blocks row 6 (and sometimes row 8) on the 777 and then the exits in Y (as well as the bassinets/bulkheads). They leave these to the airport to manage, which means they are never released until T-24hrs (and the airport will assign them).
Best thing to do is to set up an alert on EF, so as soon as a seat opens up, it will email you. I have snagged upgrade seats this way multiple times. Worth every cent of the $10 a month you pay for the premium service if you ask me.
And J in a A380 - the thing going for you is 76 x J seats versus 42 x J seats in a 777. You may have better luck on the A380, but then again, that can work against you ex the UK, as many people want to take the new bird (rather than the old). Personally, I'm happy on the 777.
Good luck. Let us know if you need more help.
Last edited by eightblack; May 2, 2012 at 3:57 am
May 2, 2012, 5:38 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Programs: VA- Platinum
Posts: 58
Seats should be released closer to the date, but it will all depend on EK's Inventory Management system. It has a mind of its own.
I catch the 432 often and yes, pax are required to get off the plane in SIN. The layover isnt long and if ever there was an airport that was/is pleasant to transit in, it is SIN.
On the flights I take, EK's system typically blocks row 6 (and sometimes row 8) on the 777 and then the exits in Y (as well as the bassinets/bulkheads). They leave these to the airport to manage, which means they are never released until T-24hrs (and the airport will assign them).
Best thing to do is to set up an alert on EF, so as soon as a seat opens up, it will email you. I have snagged upgrade seats this way multiple times. Worth every cent of the $10 a month you pay for the premium service if you ask me.
And J in a A380 - the thing going for you is 76 x J seats versus 42 x J seats in a 777. You may have better luck on the A380, but then again, that can work against you ex the UK, as many people want to take the new bird (rather than the old). Personally, I'm happy on the 777.
Good luck. Let us know if you need more help.
I catch the 432 often and yes, pax are required to get off the plane in SIN. The layover isnt long and if ever there was an airport that was/is pleasant to transit in, it is SIN.
On the flights I take, EK's system typically blocks row 6 (and sometimes row 8) on the 777 and then the exits in Y (as well as the bassinets/bulkheads). They leave these to the airport to manage, which means they are never released until T-24hrs (and the airport will assign them).
Best thing to do is to set up an alert on EF, so as soon as a seat opens up, it will email you. I have snagged upgrade seats this way multiple times. Worth every cent of the $10 a month you pay for the premium service if you ask me.
And J in a A380 - the thing going for you is 76 x J seats versus 42 x J seats in a 777. You may have better luck on the A380, but then again, that can work against you ex the UK, as many people want to take the new bird (rather than the old). Personally, I'm happy on the 777.
Good luck. Let us know if you need more help.
Can I just check...
- To find an upgrade from Econ (Flex) to Business I should be searching "Business - Saver Award & Upgrade (D) "?
- I can see how to set up a seat alert for a certain seat or for 2 together etc, but not how to alert when an award seat becomes available, is this possible and if not how do you do it as mentioned above.
Cheers again!
Mike