I am booking my next Dubai trip leaving LHR at 8.40am on 11 September 2014 and returning at 3.45pm on 18 September 2014.

I will book a flex ticket and on expertflyer it shows there is an upgrade available on the 8.40am flight but not on the return flight.

I would assume I can book the outward upgrade now and the inward upgrade at a later date if it becomes available?

As long as you buy a ticket that is upgradable then yes...

Thank you.

Looking to purchase a return flex ticket. I assume there is only one type of return flex ticket?

Do Emirates release further upgrades just before the flight say 2 or 3 weeks? For example, there are no upgrades available for the return leg today but Emirates could at a later date open upgrades early?

What is the standard procedure?

I'm not sure there is a clear rule....I've been trying to upgrade to F on EK302 (DXB to PVG) for weeks (departs Saturday) but there's no availability even though Expert Flyer shows only one seat in F currently booked.

Whereas EK002 was pretty booked up in F, but there was an upgrade seat available (I took it).

Would be great if someone can help shed light on this, but based on previous posts I'm not sure anyone can!

Can someone see the booking types available in the above flight?

Thanks in advance

Yes, there is only 1 type of flex. There are multiple fare classes in Flex, but for the purpose of upgrades it doesn't matter.

Upgrades are either available very early - 6mth to 1 year prior, or then start to open up closer to departure date. I've seen upgrades start to open up 2 weeks prior to departure but more typically 3-5 days prior to the departure date.

Thanks for the info Jack.

But looks like I won't be getting a flex ticket after all.

I had a good package with Emirates Holiday but to book a flex ticket with them I will need to pay an additional �750 per person on top of the cheap ticket that is included in the holiday package.

I think that's robbery considering the difference between a cheap and a flex ticket on Emirates website is about �380.

I am now relying on an upgrade at check-in with 32,000 miles per leg.

No upgrades available but 4 seats available to purchase in first.

Thanks Jamjaruk, hopefully one will open up

EK304 has opened by though.

Hi there, sorry to hijack thread, I was looking to upgrade flight EK 038 BHX - DXB on 11 August.

About 2 weeks ago, I rang Emirates who said there were more than 6 seats available for miles upgrade. It was also showing up in my 'manage booking' section.

I was waiting for my credit card miles to come through, which they have now, but when I looked, I cannot see miles upgrade option.

Looking at expert flyer, business class has 8 seats just blocked, apart from 2 confirmed occupied seats, the cabin is completely open.

Am I right that the blocked 8 seats is by Emirates rather than passengers?

Otherwise where did the 6+ upgrades go?

If that's right, will these come back on or have I missed the window? How can I find out more?

Correct.
Probably removed by EK in the hope that they'll actually be able to sell the seats?

ok thanks, is it usual for Emirates to block miles upgrade seats like this?

Are they likely to come back if not sold?

They have been very stingy with upgrade inventory lately.

Likely, but that happens about a week prior to the actual departure. Better option would be to speak to the EK call center and ask them to convince Dubai to release a seat.

Did you get your upgrade?

I spoke with Emirates today about upgrading my BHX - DXB flight for 2 adults, 1 child, infant to business.

They said it would cost 32,500 miles each (plus 10% for infant) and about �750 in taxes.

The cost for taxes seems high and almost defeats the fact that I used up miles.

Is this right? If you upgrade at checkin or at gate, is the tax still taken?