Upgrading to Biz Class using Miles
 

Hi,

I have booked a trip from LGW to AKL, returning BNE (via SIN) to LGW. Over the past few months, I have also stacked up 90,000 miles or so using the credit card (which are currently sitting in my American Express account and not the Emirates Skywards account). Whilst this doesn't get me silver status, I have enough miles for a one way upgrade.

But I booked a saver fare which doesn't allow me to upgrade before check in and reading stuff on here, I am a bit worried that all those miles won't be used in the end because there won't be any seats available in Business Class.

Can anyone tell me what the best route or method to upgrade at least one of the legs may be? I'd prefer to upgrade on the a380 rather than the 777 from BNE to DXB. Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.

Hi there skgwho

There are folks here who are far better placed to advise on use of miles and workings of the scheme than me, so will leave them to respond.

But I just came on to suggest that you might want to reconsider your u/g priorities wrt to which legs/aircraft. The A380 J cabin is pretty large at 76, and many have commented that it can seem very impersonal with a full load (or anything close to full), and with 'rushed' service. In contrast, the 777 is a lot smaller and hence can feel more special. I have only experienced the 777 in J for a short sector (DXB-AMM) and have been fortunate to travel in F on all my A380 sectors to date, but my own view would be that the much longer leg from BNE-DXB would be a better one to u/g than say DXB-LGW, if indeed you end up having to choose one over the other rather than both.

Not sure if I've expressed that very clearly (or if it helps in any way !!) - but I hope so.

Have a good trip ^

Buying a saver fare always has this problem. I would rather buy a flex fare which has much better options and chances of upgrades and also gives you more miles. Also note these seats open up quite alot as the date draws near.

Agreed but there are three of us travelling and the flex ticket costs double. Given I don't have enough miles to upgrade all three of us, the aim is to upgrade my dad as a little birthday present.

Plus, the one way upgrade was going to cost us about the same as the additional cost of the flex ticket so would have been better off doing that.

The flights out are on Thursday night to AKL (getting in on saturday), back on Thursday from BNE to DXB and early Sunday morning 2am from DXB to LHR. Hopefully I will manage to score an upgrade for part of the journey(s).

Fair enough - is the Business on 777 any good? My aim would be to get the upgrade on the leg out of Dubai to AKL as that flight is going to be a real long flight!

Is Business on the 777 "any good?"

Safe to say it's significantly better than Y - but then so it should be !

If what you're asking is whether J on the 777 better than J on the A380 ......well, I've already given my own view above. But ultimately it comes down to subjective opinion. There was a lively discussion recently about the merits of the two aircraft, with lots of contributions on both sides but, IIRC, more in favour of the 777. Can't seem to find the thread concerned right now but suggest you do a search or have a general read. (If I do manage to find it, I will link it for you).

Upgrading a saver fare is touch & go. I would suggest the following:

1. Get the cheapest flex fare (W) for your dad
2. Upon purchase (if over phone), inform agent you wish to make a points/miles upgrade
3. Online purchase will just need to click on manage my booking, your dad's name, right side of screen click upgrade. At this point you will see available upgrades on all legs.

If you have a choice, I would strongly recommend upgrading on the 777. Your dad will enjoy the service better (less J seats), and the Y on 380 is pretty good already.

Sound advice overall lighthand (esp. as rgds 777 v 380)..... but methinks the bookings have already been made. Plus, as the OP has mentioned, the cost difference between saver and flex was a major deciding factor.

I am not sure if the booking has already been made. But I think the cost difference for all pax travelling was the issue. If just OP's dad ticket, I think it should not burn too big a hole in the pocket.

If booking was already made, then I guess the only way is to call EK to see if it's possible to change one saver ticket to flex (paying the difference of course).

I avoid EK 777s in Business class, The A380 is so much better, especially if you are a single traveller.

On a saver fare it always a issue upgrading, however as soon as you check in it is possible . Yes it is a few miles more but normally still possible.. but of course you run the risk that Business class is already fully booked. Depending on your tier status you will be put on the waitlist, so far this worked in 90% of my upgade requests. So good luck

So you can pull at the bar? :D

Does anyone have a list of fare classes that can upgrade immediately after tix purchase if space is available?

I don't think there is actually a list. Some classes will be upgradeable from one airport, but not another.

It will tell you as part of the booking process if it's eligible to upgrade.

Didn't know this, thx for the info. Its my first time trying to upgrade.
So, before I ticket I should see if its upgradeable? Is it in the fare rules or just when I select the fare?