Australian gate upgrades? Cash / points?
 

hi, just wondering if Emirates allows paid upgrades and or skyward points upgrades at Australian airports (business to first), on day of departure? (flying to Venice via Dubai)

if so do you pay a significant premium over the online booking price?

Welcome to FT and the EK forum. EK allows Skywards Miles upgrades at the airport or onboard (pending availability) for Gold and Silver card holders. You can request this at the lounge or anytime prior (either by calling or via Manage Your Booking). You can also have someone else sponsor your upgrade (if you dont have the miles) and if you don't have status.

As far as I know, you can't do paid upgrades (unless the counter has ticketing capabilities and is prepared to re-issue your ticket to the published higher fare). It would be silly money.

Not so much a gate upgrade, but I was surprised to see an email in my inbox 48 hrs before departure with an offer to upgrade BNE-SIN to business for $219 AUD. I'm not a Skywards member (I collect with AS - no status) and my ticket was a cheap Australian travel pass booked via EK on EK and DJ. Not sure how often these come around, but business class now looks sold out :)