Beat way to upgrade
 

What is the best way of getting the upgrade from Economy to Business?

I have a holiday booked for 4 people, heathrow to Dubai, travelling at 9am flight on 30 October to 3.15pm flight on 5 November 2013. We all have the required miles for 1 leg on business.

My parents were on the 8.40am flight this morning heathrow to Dubai, but no upgrade flights came up the night before and a week before, checked everyday, even though there were plenty of business class seats available.

I suppose it is rare to get an upgrade?

Upgrades SEEM to be offered less and less, I used to have a 75% or so upgrade rate, when I was a top tier frequent flyer with EK, but now I'm two tiers down, at Gold aith Platinum and IO above me, so haven't had an upgrade in any of my last 8 sectors.

Wow. So looks like all these miles will go to waste. Hopefully I have until Jan 2016 to try and upgrade.

Mind you.. Booked an economy ticket and got offered by email an upgrade to business for £410 per person by email last week... I think that's rare but was a good offer.

That was for one leg though

Easygoing, Book your flight early in advance, by phone....
EK Agent confirm Upgrade instantly....

Are you sure?

Also. If I book a flex ticket, could I book an upgrade online or do I still need to wait for emirates to release these tickets

Just keep checking until departure. You can upgrade at the lounge before departure too or even on board with miles. These days ( and especially from LHR) EK has restricted upgrade availability but it changes by the day.

Okay I'm. Blue member so I can't upgrade on board

The OP's flight is 4 weeks away so he/she cannot book early.

As upgrade availability is checkable on-line this could be done and flights booked on line to avoid the surcharge on telephone bookings.

I will try that when I travel to Dubai again next year.