Please post your Operational Upgrade experiences
#346
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Interesting one, but given the context of the situation I really doubt it is the start of "something new" in terms of overall policy.
You were told that J was overbooked, so clearly there were always going to be some op-ups. And as a Plat there was also every possibility you would be firmly in their sights - even if you had not discussed the issue at check-in.
But the exchange that then took place later at the gate is, I feel, absolutely no indication that merely asking would necessarily bring similar results in the future. It just so happened that your request (and that of the pax in front of you) suited them on the day, because they needed to move a number of pax anyway and it gave them the chance to say ..... "look how good we are to you, you only have to ask and we give you what you want" .......
Smart tactics on their part, but sort of disingenuous at the same time. IMHO.
You were told that J was overbooked, so clearly there were always going to be some op-ups. And as a Plat there was also every possibility you would be firmly in their sights - even if you had not discussed the issue at check-in.
But the exchange that then took place later at the gate is, I feel, absolutely no indication that merely asking would necessarily bring similar results in the future. It just so happened that your request (and that of the pax in front of you) suited them on the day, because they needed to move a number of pax anyway and it gave them the chance to say ..... "look how good we are to you, you only have to ask and we give you what you want" .......
Smart tactics on their part, but sort of disingenuous at the same time. IMHO.
#347
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: BAEC Gold. Marriott Gold.
Posts: 70
I notice EK22 tomorrow has moved to a two class 777-300ER from a three. I always thought F was heavily booked from MAN. Was going to upgrade with miles...
#348
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
Well if it HAD have been heavily booked and stayed as a 3 class, it's possible you might not have been able to upgrade with miles anyway. But seemingly it wasn't ..... so you can save your miles and no doubt enjoy a decent enough flight in J
Have a good one ^
Have a good one ^
#349
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
May and June are pretty quiet months.
#350
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AMS
Programs: SPG Platinum,HHonors Gold
Posts: 179
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: OLCI
Route: AMS-DXB
Flight number: EK 148
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 30/05/2014
Tier status: Blue ( Downgraded very recently )
Tier miles: 21k
Skywards miles balance: 35k
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
First letter of your surname: R
Old habit,OLCI at T-24, boom... I didnt receive any upgrade email either. Very surprised, the last time I had this was about 2 years before. Ofcourse no chauffeur nor access to partner lounge in AMS ( worth a miss anyway ).
Upgrade location: OLCI
Route: AMS-DXB
Flight number: EK 148
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 30/05/2014
Tier status: Blue ( Downgraded very recently )
Tier miles: 21k
Skywards miles balance: 35k
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
First letter of your surname: R
Old habit,OLCI at T-24, boom... I didnt receive any upgrade email either. Very surprised, the last time I had this was about 2 years before. Ofcourse no chauffeur nor access to partner lounge in AMS ( worth a miss anyway ).
#351
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BNE/TRG(NZ)
Programs: EK Gold, QF
Posts: 31
I was on two PNR's - BNE-LAX return with a DXB-PVG return thrown in the mix, however in hindsight should have booked it as LAX-PVG return for the $200 more with triple status credits and miles.
#352
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 611
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-DEL
Flight number: EK 510
Type of ticket:Flex
Date of travel: 10-Jun-14
Tier status: Platinum
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
This is my first EK trip in 4 months, a welcome change from BA and OS post my relocation to London.
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-DEL
Flight number: EK 510
Type of ticket:Flex
Date of travel: 10-Jun-14
Tier status: Platinum
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
This is my first EK trip in 4 months, a welcome change from BA and OS post my relocation to London.
#353
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 611
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: BOM-DXB
Flight number: EK 505
Type of ticket:Flex
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Platinum
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: BOM-DXB
Flight number: EK 505
Type of ticket:Flex
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Platinum
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
#354
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: CMB-DXB
Flight number: EK 651
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Gold
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: CMB-DXB
Flight number: EK 651
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Gold
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last edited by Zol; Jun 18, 2014 at 2:49 am
#355
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: CMB-DXB
Flight number: EK 651
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Gold
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
This is my first EK trip in 4 months, a welcome change from BA and OS post my relocation to London.
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: CMB-DXB
Flight number: EK 651
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14-Jun-14
Tier status: Gold
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
This is my first EK trip in 4 months, a welcome change from BA and OS post my relocation to London.
#356
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818
#357
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Programs: BA Silver, EK Silver, VS Gold Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold,
Posts: 326
On an upcoming flight F has 2 seats booked and J is also 1/2 full. I have a refundable J ticket and I am a silver almost gold. Should I wait it out or use points to get the F seat.
#358
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
When you say "F has 2 seats booked", where did you get that information? If it's from the seat map then that means nothing as 2 seats are blocked by EK, and people may have booked but not reserved a seat.
Half full J could also mean 38 seats available or 14, subject to the same conditions.
#359
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Additionally, are you going to want to use the points any other time, for a redemption or other sector, or is this a one off trip?
#360
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I suppose the answer is how much you care about the extras such as chauffeur drive, perhaps 10kg if it's the first sector and if ex-DXB, F lounge access. If you are only after the seat, you can wait until you are on board - if you don't get the op-up you can then use points to upgrade as you are a silver: assuming F isn't full already. If you absolutely must guarantee it, then by all means use the miles.
Additionally, are you going to want to use the points any other time, for a redemption or other sector, or is this a one off trip?
Additionally, are you going to want to use the points any other time, for a redemption or other sector, or is this a one off trip?