Offered an upgrade on Emirates
 

We have been offered an upgrade on Emirates flying from the US to Dubai for an additional $1000 each - we are two people.

Is this offer in line with what is typically available for an upgrade? I assume that this is not something that is negotiable. I was informed about this in an email which said the only way to get the upgrade was to follow a link ..... it could not be done by calling Emirates or trying to do it at the airport.

FWIW, we did get a great deal on the round trip economy ticket. We have a stop in Dubai before we connect for our onward flight.

Would appreciate any advice from those experienced flying with Emirates.

Hi, EK usually sends out such emails in case either Business class is not full at all or in case economy is overbooked. Since you're not flying a lot with EK, I suppose you don't have a status card and as such should hope on an opup. This would be your cheapest way to fly business.
If you do decide to upgrade after check-in it may indeed be more expensive. If the $1000 is within your financial means, I'd take it for such a long flight (especially if it is an A380), but it depends on how much you value space and attention...
I'm not sure if this amount changes from your destination, but I paid once $500 for a 5-hour flight, so I guess you're getting a decent proposal (non negotiable of course)

Thanks for the prompt response. We are inclined to take it given the length of the flight.

The one question I have for you or anyone else is whether EK does send a revised lower offer if they don't have enough takers at the initial price. If this is part of the process, we might just wait for a day. Otherwise, we'd probably be inclined to just bite the bullet and do the deal.

We don't have any special status with EK other than being a member of the Skywards club.

The cost of the upgrade for the one leg, is more than we paid for the round trip fare on economy ...... but like I said we did get a great deal when we booked the flight originally.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Is the $1,000 offer upgrade for a round-trip ticket or one way? If it is round-trip then it is a pretty good deal, however, if it is only one way trip, it is definitely not recommended.

I have flown the A380 business class and in terms of chair comfort it is not that much more comfort than economy class. I hope my review helps you with your decision:

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/259530/

No, you won't receive a "lower revised offer".

If you feel it's a figure worth paying, then best take it promptly ; otherwise you run the risk of losing the opportunity completely once EK have sorted the loads by cabin as they see fit.

Offered an upgrade on Emirates
 

What route are you on?

I would pay $1k in a heartbeat, but then again if I flew coach for 15+ hours I likely would need medical attention upon landing.

For somebody, like my wife, who is tiny that fits comfortable in economy, and would rather spend $1000 on shoes, the value proposition can be entirely different.

Obviously comfort is subjective but by way of balance I would say to the OP that in my personal opinion the comfort levels are like night and day. The ability to lie flat in Business or First is for me Nirvana compared to the ability to recline the seat back a few inches into the knees of the passenger behind you.

Its interesting these offers. I have had them a number of times over the last 2 or so years and some patterns emerge:
- SGD225 SINBNE (which I took) - Y Class was oversold
- AUD215 BNESIN (which I took) - Y Class was oversold
- MYR1200 (ca. 350USD) KULDXB (didn't take but should have) - Y class was oversold
- THB25000 (ca. USD850) BKKDXB (didnt take) - entire aircraft was about 50% LF
- AED3100 (ca. USD840) DXBLGW (didnt take) - Y class was oversold
- AED2900 (ca. USD790) DXBBKK (didnt take) - busy but not full

The only time I get a really good offer (read cheap, in my opinion) was when the aircraft was oversold. It seems when Y or J is empty, they are just trying to get additional revenue so they don't heavily discount the upgrade price, conversely when they know they are going to have upgrades required, they offer them out cheaply just to get some revenue rather than giving it away for free.

Its all a gamble, it really depends on what you see as a good value proposition, as a member above describes.

Enjoy your flights!

Nirvana - in a pressurized metal tube ? :confused:

Given that the pressurization in commercial aircraft is less than that at sea level it can lead to a certain light headiness in some, adding to the Nirvanalike feelings in my case I guess ;)

Proactive upgrade offer
 

Hello all,

For the first time in 5 years I have been sent a proactive upgrade for £450 from Y to J on EK018 MAN-DXB on the 9th Dec. Does this indicate that Y is oversold and is anyone able to see if that is the case? If i purchase the offer and J is oversold will i be offloaded first and have ended up paying EK more to still end up stranded? The email states that chauffeur drive is unavailable so i would have little extra time in my plans to enjoy the lounge.
Is it worth buying or just turn up and see if i get upgraded? And experience or comments welcome. Thanks in advance.

P.S. This is the return leg of my trip if that makes a difference.

Looks wide open to DXB on the 9th - I suspect it's empty in J and they are fishing for revenue...

Looks like EK18 is available in Y all the way down to T (so just V and X zeroed out).
EK22 is zeroed out and EK20 appear to be almost done in Y.

Thank you both. Would either of you consider it a fair price? I have travelled J before on the A380, but not really sure if I should pay for what is another return in Y for a 6:30- 7:00 length flight. No miles upgrades avail at this time either. Perhaps that might change.

If you have an EK silver card or above you may be able to use your miles for an upgrade on board (assuming not available beforehand).