Please post your Operational Upgrade experiences
Feb 16, 2014, 7:16 am
#271
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 611
So many reasons -
1. BA's flight is at 4am
2. Its not a daily flight
3. Its BA
But I need to shut up given that I am moving to London next month and will probably not even make it to EK Silver after my Plat status ends in Mar / May 2015.
1. BA's flight is at 4am
2. Its not a daily flight
3. Its BA
But I need to shut up given that I am moving to London next month and will probably not even make it to EK Silver after my Plat status ends in Mar / May 2015.
Feb 16, 2014, 4:20 pm
#272
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DC
Programs: UA/Plat, AS MPV
Posts: 131
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate, although I had enquired politely at EK Lounge for a blocking out of adjacent Y seat and was informed flight was full.
Route: SIN-MEL
Flight number: EK 404 booked as QF 8404
Type of ticket: Saver (Discount Economy)
Date of travel: 11th Feb, 2014
Tier status: Qantas Gold. (am Skywards Blue also)
Tier miles to date: N/A
Skywards miles balance: 700 miles (EK flights now credit to QF)
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single
Skywards DOJ (approx): Skywards 2003; QFF 1998
Last Name begins with: M
Upgrade location: Gate, although I had enquired politely at EK Lounge for a blocking out of adjacent Y seat and was informed flight was full.
Route: SIN-MEL
Flight number: EK 404 booked as QF 8404
Type of ticket: Saver (Discount Economy)
Date of travel: 11th Feb, 2014
Tier status: Qantas Gold. (am Skywards Blue also)
Tier miles to date: N/A
Skywards miles balance: 700 miles (EK flights now credit to QF)
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single
Skywards DOJ (approx): Skywards 2003; QFF 1998
Last Name begins with: M
Last edited by gabes80; Feb 16, 2014 at 4:25 pm Reason: Additional Info
Feb 17, 2014, 10:12 am
#273
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: JP & UK
Programs: EK Skywards, JL Mileage Bank
Posts: 81
Is asking for adjacent seat to be blocked a way to be opupped?
About a year ago also had Y to J op-up DXB-MAN (onward flight) after asking nicely at lounge reception for the adjacent seat to be blocked on a full flight.
Feb 21, 2014, 6:17 pm
#274
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BNE/TRG(NZ)
Programs: EK Gold, QF
Posts: 31
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate - but could have been called at Lounge - full lounge so WIFI sucked, so listened to my Ipod and went to gate a lot sooner than normal, to be one of the first to board.
Route: AKL-BNE
Flight number: EK435 (A380)
Type of ticket: Flex (AKL-SIN, via BNE return with stop over in BNE for a couple of weeks in both directions = 26,000 tier miles)
Date of travel: 16/02/14
Tier status: Gold (Joined Gold October 2013)
Tier miles to date: 74,224 - 37,875 since NOV to renew Gold in OCT
Skywards miles balance: 72,919
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single - just me, myself, & I
Skywards DOJ (approx): May 2010
The first letter of your surname: R
This was my first upgrade ever, was kinda of expecting it, logging into Expert Flyer 3 days out to see 0-Y, 12-J, & 6-F left available - and was thinking well there is a chance, but only if they are oversold and my name came up - but odds should be good being flexi ticket and Gold status.
It started to get strange at check in, when it took a lot longer than it should have, and the check in person telling me to use my self printed out boarding pass.
At the lounge, it took ages to check in, with the lounge angel sitting there for a good 5 minutes taping away at the PC. Was asked at the start some strange questions if I was so and so, traveling on my own, etc. But after a while was welcomed into the lounge and no mention of upgrade. Normally 100% of the time in the past, the lounge has always re-printed my boarding pass, but not this time.
At the lounge it was the fullest I have ever seen it in AKL, good thing I wasn't hanging out for it on this occasion. They even put over the P/A a number of times asking people to not put their bags on seats, and be considerate as to allow everyone a place to sit.... I was also surprised how many what seemed to be new fliers on purchased J tickets were present, it kept the lounge angels busy sorting out issues. One couple were very unhappy and very vocal how they booked J tickets on the same PNR, and how that didn't mean that they got to sit together on the flight. Informing angel to remind her they paid $10k plus and didn't get to sit together, and wasn't their job to log in and allocate seats at the time of booking. Angel tried to explain the lay out of A380 that only limited seats sit side by side with direct access to each other.
Got to gate to board, with them doing the first call just as I was 10 meters away from the gate, and walked straight up - scanned my boarding pass and was told to go to the customer service counter to be asked if I was so & so again, and was scratching my head, but when she checked my boarding pass congratulated me, to which my rather plain reply was, "so I have been upgraded" - and she said how did you know. Just a hunch really.
Upgrade location: Gate - but could have been called at Lounge - full lounge so WIFI sucked, so listened to my Ipod and went to gate a lot sooner than normal, to be one of the first to board.
Route: AKL-BNE
Flight number: EK435 (A380)
Type of ticket: Flex (AKL-SIN, via BNE return with stop over in BNE for a couple of weeks in both directions = 26,000 tier miles)
Date of travel: 16/02/14
Tier status: Gold (Joined Gold October 2013)
Tier miles to date: 74,224 - 37,875 since NOV to renew Gold in OCT
Skywards miles balance: 72,919
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single - just me, myself, & I
Skywards DOJ (approx): May 2010
The first letter of your surname: R
This was my first upgrade ever, was kinda of expecting it, logging into Expert Flyer 3 days out to see 0-Y, 12-J, & 6-F left available - and was thinking well there is a chance, but only if they are oversold and my name came up - but odds should be good being flexi ticket and Gold status.
It started to get strange at check in, when it took a lot longer than it should have, and the check in person telling me to use my self printed out boarding pass.
At the lounge, it took ages to check in, with the lounge angel sitting there for a good 5 minutes taping away at the PC. Was asked at the start some strange questions if I was so and so, traveling on my own, etc. But after a while was welcomed into the lounge and no mention of upgrade. Normally 100% of the time in the past, the lounge has always re-printed my boarding pass, but not this time.
At the lounge it was the fullest I have ever seen it in AKL, good thing I wasn't hanging out for it on this occasion. They even put over the P/A a number of times asking people to not put their bags on seats, and be considerate as to allow everyone a place to sit.... I was also surprised how many what seemed to be new fliers on purchased J tickets were present, it kept the lounge angels busy sorting out issues. One couple were very unhappy and very vocal how they booked J tickets on the same PNR, and how that didn't mean that they got to sit together on the flight. Informing angel to remind her they paid $10k plus and didn't get to sit together, and wasn't their job to log in and allocate seats at the time of booking. Angel tried to explain the lay out of A380 that only limited seats sit side by side with direct access to each other.
Got to gate to board, with them doing the first call just as I was 10 meters away from the gate, and walked straight up - scanned my boarding pass and was told to go to the customer service counter to be asked if I was so & so again, and was scratching my head, but when she checked my boarding pass congratulated me, to which my rather plain reply was, "so I have been upgraded" - and she said how did you know. Just a hunch really.
Last edited by mushez; Feb 22, 2014 at 12:43 am
Feb 23, 2014, 4:48 pm
#275
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: ADD - DXB
Flight number: EK 724
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 21/02/2014
Tier status: Silver
Tier miles 40k
Skywards miles balance: 26.5k
First letter of your surname: K
At the gate got a new BP and was congratulated on my upgrade. Its a old 330-200. I was very happy!
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: ADD - DXB
Flight number: EK 724
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 21/02/2014
Tier status: Silver
Tier miles 40k
Skywards miles balance: 26.5k
First letter of your surname: K
At the gate got a new BP and was congratulated on my upgrade. Its a old 330-200. I was very happy!
Feb 23, 2014, 6:12 pm
#276
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ, EK, QF
Posts: 115
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate - but could have been called at Lounge - full lounge so WIFI sucked, so listened to my Ipod and went to gate a lot sooner than normal, to be one of the first to board.
Route: AKL-BNE
Flight number: EK435 (A380)
Type of ticket: Flex (AKL-SIN, via BNE return with stop over in BNE for a couple of weeks in both directions = 26,000 tier miles)
Date of travel: 16/02/14
Tier status: Gold (Joined Gold October 2013)
Tier miles to date: 74,224 - 37,875 since NOV to renew Gold in OCT
Skywards miles balance: 72,919
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single - just me, myself, & I
Skywards DOJ (approx): May 2010
The first letter of your surname: R
This was my first upgrade ever, was kinda of expecting it, logging into Expert Flyer 3 days out to see 0-Y, 12-J, & 6-F left available - and was thinking well there is a chance, but only if they are oversold and my name came up - but odds should be good being flexi ticket and Gold status.
It started to get strange at check in, when it took a lot longer than it should have, and the check in person telling me to use my self printed out boarding pass.
At the lounge, it took ages to check in, with the lounge angel sitting there for a good 5 minutes taping away at the PC. Was asked at the start some strange questions if I was so and so, traveling on my own, etc. But after a while was welcomed into the lounge and no mention of upgrade. Normally 100% of the time in the past, the lounge has always re-printed my boarding pass, but not this time.
At the lounge it was the fullest I have ever seen it in AKL, good thing I wasn't hanging out for it on this occasion. They even put over the P/A a number of times asking people to not put their bags on seats, and be considerate as to allow everyone a place to sit.... I was also surprised how many what seemed to be new fliers on purchased J tickets were present, it kept the lounge angels busy sorting out issues. One couple were very unhappy and very vocal how they booked J tickets on the same PNR, and how that didn't mean that they got to sit together on the flight. Informing angel to remind her they paid $10k plus and didn't get to sit together, and wasn't their job to log in and allocate seats at the time of booking. Angel tried to explain the lay out of A380 that only limited seats sit side by side with direct access to each other.
Got to gate to board, with them doing the first call just as I was 10 meters away from the gate, and walked straight up - scanned my boarding pass and was told to go to the customer service counter to be asked if I was so & so again, and was scratching my head, but when she checked my boarding pass congratulated me, to which my rather plain reply was, "so I have been upgraded" - and she said how did you know. Just a hunch really.
Upgrade location: Gate - but could have been called at Lounge - full lounge so WIFI sucked, so listened to my Ipod and went to gate a lot sooner than normal, to be one of the first to board.
Route: AKL-BNE
Flight number: EK435 (A380)
Type of ticket: Flex (AKL-SIN, via BNE return with stop over in BNE for a couple of weeks in both directions = 26,000 tier miles)
Date of travel: 16/02/14
Tier status: Gold (Joined Gold October 2013)
Tier miles to date: 74,224 - 37,875 since NOV to renew Gold in OCT
Skywards miles balance: 72,919
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single - just me, myself, & I
Skywards DOJ (approx): May 2010
The first letter of your surname: R
This was my first upgrade ever, was kinda of expecting it, logging into Expert Flyer 3 days out to see 0-Y, 12-J, & 6-F left available - and was thinking well there is a chance, but only if they are oversold and my name came up - but odds should be good being flexi ticket and Gold status.
It started to get strange at check in, when it took a lot longer than it should have, and the check in person telling me to use my self printed out boarding pass.
At the lounge, it took ages to check in, with the lounge angel sitting there for a good 5 minutes taping away at the PC. Was asked at the start some strange questions if I was so and so, traveling on my own, etc. But after a while was welcomed into the lounge and no mention of upgrade. Normally 100% of the time in the past, the lounge has always re-printed my boarding pass, but not this time.
At the lounge it was the fullest I have ever seen it in AKL, good thing I wasn't hanging out for it on this occasion. They even put over the P/A a number of times asking people to not put their bags on seats, and be considerate as to allow everyone a place to sit.... I was also surprised how many what seemed to be new fliers on purchased J tickets were present, it kept the lounge angels busy sorting out issues. One couple were very unhappy and very vocal how they booked J tickets on the same PNR, and how that didn't mean that they got to sit together on the flight. Informing angel to remind her they paid $10k plus and didn't get to sit together, and wasn't their job to log in and allocate seats at the time of booking. Angel tried to explain the lay out of A380 that only limited seats sit side by side with direct access to each other.
Got to gate to board, with them doing the first call just as I was 10 meters away from the gate, and walked straight up - scanned my boarding pass and was told to go to the customer service counter to be asked if I was so & so again, and was scratching my head, but when she checked my boarding pass congratulated me, to which my rather plain reply was, "so I have been upgraded" - and she said how did you know. Just a hunch really.
Feb 23, 2014, 11:12 pm
#277
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 126
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - DEL
Flight number: EK 512
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 22/02/2014
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles 22K
Skywards miles balance: 16K
First letter of your surname: K
Flight was oversold in Y so was hopeful but only my 2nd trip on EK
I have generally heard friends traveling from US-India getting upgraded on the DUB-India leg but they are generally silver.
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - DEL
Flight number: EK 512
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 22/02/2014
Tier status: Blue
Tier miles 22K
Skywards miles balance: 16K
First letter of your surname: K
Flight was oversold in Y so was hopeful but only my 2nd trip on EK
I have generally heard friends traveling from US-India getting upgraded on the DUB-India leg but they are generally silver.
Feb 24, 2014, 8:23 pm
#278
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LPB
Programs: Skywards Gold, Miles & More, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 410
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: DAC - DXB
Flight number: EK 583
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 25/02/2014
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles 74K
Skywards miles balance: 84K
Skywards DOJ: Jul 2010
First letter of your surname: D
Tried to upgrade with miles for weeks, wasn't available (although it doesn't mention the check-in upgrade restriction in the ticket). Got an upgrade offer three days before the flight. 350 USD compares well to the miles cost but not the flight duration and price. I didn't take it and gambled on the OpUp.
Upgrade location: Check-in
Route: DAC - DXB
Flight number: EK 583
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 25/02/2014
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles 74K
Skywards miles balance: 84K
Skywards DOJ: Jul 2010
First letter of your surname: D
Tried to upgrade with miles for weeks, wasn't available (although it doesn't mention the check-in upgrade restriction in the ticket). Got an upgrade offer three days before the flight. 350 USD compares well to the miles cost but not the flight duration and price. I didn't take it and gambled on the OpUp.
Last edited by Turicus; Mar 1, 2014 at 1:14 pm Reason: Added DOJ
Mar 1, 2014, 5:22 am
#279
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: EK, SPF,HH,Marriott,GHA
Posts: 6
Upgrade given: J - F x4
Upgrade location: 1)Check-in desk, 2) Lounge, 3) check in desk, 4)Gate
Route: e.g. Man-Dxb-Jed-Dxb-Lhr
Flight number: EK018,EK805,EK804,EK005
Type of ticket: Flex business
Date of travel: 23/02, 26/02, 26/02, 27/02
Tier: Platinum
Tier miles to date: ~75k post platinum in Oct 2013
Skywards miles balance: ~395k
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2010
First letter of your surname: R
4 x connecting flights, Manchester to Dubai with a day and a bit stop, Jeddah day return, Dubai to Heathrow on Thursday.
Fairly usual route (usually LHR outbound but family reasons last Jin change to Man outbound)
No fare conditions.
Man-Dxb full flight so bumped up without request.
Dxb-Jed polite lady saw my thread of flights and said I deserved rewards...( she could see I have another 7 flights after the one she checks me in for).
Jed-Dxb full flight bumped up without request.
Dxb-Lhr put on "upgrade standby" by check in desk as flight was reaching capacity, went on to gate via first class lounge and was bumped up.
On last leg purser came and had usual chat, then later in the bar we caught up again, usual chinwag led her to realise I was a super frequent flyer, she went and got her PDA and was amazed at the number of flights she could see for next week (they can see last 5 and next 5).
Man-Dxb was online check in, Dxb-Jed at the desk, Jed-Dxb-Lhr at the desk in Jed.
For sure was nice to go first all the way, especially as my boss was sat in the back for 3 out of 4 of the legs :-)
Upgrade location: 1)Check-in desk, 2) Lounge, 3) check in desk, 4)Gate
Route: e.g. Man-Dxb-Jed-Dxb-Lhr
Flight number: EK018,EK805,EK804,EK005
Type of ticket: Flex business
Date of travel: 23/02, 26/02, 26/02, 27/02
Tier: Platinum
Tier miles to date: ~75k post platinum in Oct 2013
Skywards miles balance: ~395k
Number of pax on the same PNR: Single
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2010
First letter of your surname: R
4 x connecting flights, Manchester to Dubai with a day and a bit stop, Jeddah day return, Dubai to Heathrow on Thursday.
Fairly usual route (usually LHR outbound but family reasons last Jin change to Man outbound)
No fare conditions.
Man-Dxb full flight so bumped up without request.
Dxb-Jed polite lady saw my thread of flights and said I deserved rewards...( she could see I have another 7 flights after the one she checks me in for).
Jed-Dxb full flight bumped up without request.
Dxb-Lhr put on "upgrade standby" by check in desk as flight was reaching capacity, went on to gate via first class lounge and was bumped up.
On last leg purser came and had usual chat, then later in the bar we caught up again, usual chinwag led her to realise I was a super frequent flyer, she went and got her PDA and was amazed at the number of flights she could see for next week (they can see last 5 and next 5).
Man-Dxb was online check in, Dxb-Jed at the desk, Jed-Dxb-Lhr at the desk in Jed.
For sure was nice to go first all the way, especially as my boss was sat in the back for 3 out of 4 of the legs :-)
Mar 1, 2014, 11:55 am
#281
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: EK, SPF,HH,Marriott,GHA
Posts: 6
Double edged sword cos he either pays me more to move or puts up wht the expense!
Mar 2, 2014, 3:31 am
#282
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 1
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in desk
Route: FCO - DXB
Flight number: EK096
Type of ticket: Economy
Date of travel: 28/2
Tier: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 99,800k
Skywards miles balance: ~200k
Number of pax on the same PNR: Two - me platinum, wife gold.
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2007
First letter of your surname: H
Upgrade location: Check-in desk
Route: FCO - DXB
Flight number: EK096
Type of ticket: Economy
Date of travel: 28/2
Tier: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 99,800k
Skywards miles balance: ~200k
Number of pax on the same PNR: Two - me platinum, wife gold.
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2007
First letter of your surname: H
Mar 4, 2014, 3:53 pm
#283
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Accra
Programs: Skywards Gold, TK Elite +, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 222
Upgrade given: Y - J / Y - J
Upgrade location: Check-in desk / Lounge
Route: JFK - DXB / DXB - ACC
Flight number: EK202 / EK787
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 03/02 / 03/04
Tier: Gold
Tier miles to date: ~98K
Skywards miles balance: ~140k
Number of pax on the same PNR: One. Just me
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2005
First letter of your surname: M
Got automatically upgraded at the check-in counter in JFK, and asked for an upgrade at the lounge in DXB. They surprisingly gave it to me despite there being 5 seats free in Y (I asked the purser).
Upgrade location: Check-in desk / Lounge
Route: JFK - DXB / DXB - ACC
Flight number: EK202 / EK787
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 03/02 / 03/04
Tier: Gold
Tier miles to date: ~98K
Skywards miles balance: ~140k
Number of pax on the same PNR: One. Just me
Skywards DOJ (approx): 2005
First letter of your surname: M
Got automatically upgraded at the check-in counter in JFK, and asked for an upgrade at the lounge in DXB. They surprisingly gave it to me despite there being 5 seats free in Y (I asked the purser).
Mar 4, 2014, 8:31 pm
#284
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,883
Smart move! What did you actually tell them? I don't think they have the authority to process upgrades though and you may already have been upgraded and they just printed out the BP. The 5 seats free in Y could be due to some pax not landing up for their flight.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:48 am
#285
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Accra
Programs: Skywards Gold, TK Elite +, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 222
We'll first I asked the lounge dragon if my pre-selected exit row seat was confirmed. After that I asked if it was possible to be complimentary upgraded to J again. She said that the flight wasn't full but that she'd enter a remark saying a 'high value client is requesting an upgrade.' Fast forward 2 hours, I go check at the desk and they print me out a new BP!