Please Post Your Operational Upgrade Experiences - 2015/2016
#46
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
So, the system will automatically group up by Tier status (EK then QF) - more conscientious controllers may perhaps look at things such as any special requests like SPML/WCHR, travelling in a group, and fare class (at least, Flex Plus, Flex, Saver - instead of looking at individual basis), but the ones that are pressed for time might just go down the list of names
#47
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
Totally up to the mood of the controller of the day, I think has more of a bearing on it than your name per se (but not entirely irrelevant).
So, the system will automatically group up by Tier status (EK then QF) - more conscientious controllers may perhaps look at things such as any special requests like SPML/WCHR, travelling in a group, and fare class (at least, Flex Plus, Flex, Saver - instead of looking at individual basis), but the ones that are pressed for time might just go down the list of names
So, the system will automatically group up by Tier status (EK then QF) - more conscientious controllers may perhaps look at things such as any special requests like SPML/WCHR, travelling in a group, and fare class (at least, Flex Plus, Flex, Saver - instead of looking at individual basis), but the ones that are pressed for time might just go down the list of names
#49
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Last priority will go to special meal holders and people with assistance booked. Also, check-in agents and lounge agents who encounter badly behaved/impolite members (EK or QF) regularly contact the controller to advise them not to offer a complimentary upgrade to that individual (As a side note, I approve of this ) - technically of course, all op-ups are entirely at the discretion of the controller, so this is perfectly fine. However, the reverse is not true, so blatant flattery and outright bribery unfortunately will get you nowhere
The tier grouping order goes EK iO -> QF CL -> EK Plat -> QF Plat -> EK Gold -> QF Gold -> EK Silver etc. etc. EKs flyers get priority over QF fliers in the same tier on EK operated flights. I assume the reverse is true on QF operated flights.
#53
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,826
I've had a friend 5 people travelling offered 2/5 opups. They took them dad and son sat upstairs!
#54
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SIN
Posts: 846
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: SIN-CMB
Flight number: EK349, booked as QF8349
Aircraft: 77W
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 03 April 2015
Tier status: QF Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 on EK
Skywards miles balance: 0 on EK
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: L
---------- 1 week later ------------
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check In
Route: SIN-MEL
Flight number: EK404
Aircraft: 77W
Type of ticket: Reward
Date of travel: 12 April 2015
Tier status: QF Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 on EK
Skywards miles balance: 0 on EK
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: L
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: SIN-CMB
Flight number: EK349, booked as QF8349
Aircraft: 77W
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 03 April 2015
Tier status: QF Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 on EK
Skywards miles balance: 0 on EK
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: L
---------- 1 week later ------------
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Check In
Route: SIN-MEL
Flight number: EK404
Aircraft: 77W
Type of ticket: Reward
Date of travel: 12 April 2015
Tier status: QF Platinum
Tier miles to date: 0 on EK
Skywards miles balance: 0 on EK
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: L
#55
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Children under 12 are not eligible for complimentary upgrades - technically, although in a pinch it is of course up to the controller on the day.
In the case you mentioned, they would offer the upgrade to the EK Plat + Gold on the same itinerary but first check with the EK Plat at the lounge or check in whether it is okay to do that (as in, split up the family). If he/she declines, then they will skip to the other 4 golds in Y - however, there would be an offer of mileage deduction for the kids to go to J (other pax would not have the opportunity to take advantage of a space-available upgrade). However, ancedotally, most EK platinums take the complimentary upgrade to go to J and either leave the kids in Y, or sort out amongst themselves (aka, 1 adult and 1 kid in J and 1 adult 1 kid in Y).
In the case of 1 platinum, 1 gold and 2 non-members/silver/blue over the age of 12, then it is entirely up to the discretion of the controller (with input from check-in staff and lounge receptions as how they feel about the passenger - basically, if you've been singularly naughty or nice).
The usual options are: 1 platinum and 1 gold get the upgrade and if the group are very nice and polite and grateful etc., they will upgrade the entire travelling group. If not, then it will be the 1 platinum and 1 gold then 2 solo golds in Y.
#56
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,764
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Lounge (paged after boarding announced)
Route: SYD-DXB
Flight number: EK415
Aircraft: A380
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 18 April 2015
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: >75000
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: V
____________
I'm not sure any of the above matters; maybe it's just that someone found out that I'm an EK apologist on FT.
Upgrade location: Lounge (paged after boarding announced)
Route: SYD-DXB
Flight number: EK415
Aircraft: A380
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 18 April 2015
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: >75000
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: V
____________
I'm not sure any of the above matters; maybe it's just that someone found out that I'm an EK apologist on FT.
#57
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,394
Pretty long sector there RadioGirl ..... no doubt a very welcome last minute switch .......^
#58
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,881
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-JFK
Flight number: EK203
Aircraft: 388
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 12 April 2015
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 67K
Skywards miles balance: 650K+
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: S
-------------
I typically don't post op-ups but this one was interesting. When I checked at the lounge at BOM, it showed F1, J2, Y0 so I thought there might be a chance of an op-up. Then on reaching the lounge at DXB (2 hours before the flight), it changed to F0, J1, Y0 probably as either someone from J upgraded to F or oped-up to F. It continued to show that until just before they closed the flight where it changed to F0, J0, Y0. I checked my seat on MMB a couple of times and it continued to show my original seat, so I thought no op-up this time. Then I went to the gate at the F lounge - and the gate agent remarked "I've some good news for you - you've been upgraded to business". Well, that was a surprise since I was pretty sure that someone else was oped-up - perhaps, one of the very few times that being a Plat actually made a difference.
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB-JFK
Flight number: EK203
Aircraft: 388
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 12 April 2015
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 67K
Skywards miles balance: 650K+
Number of pax on the same PNR: 1
Last name started with Letter: S
-------------
I typically don't post op-ups but this one was interesting. When I checked at the lounge at BOM, it showed F1, J2, Y0 so I thought there might be a chance of an op-up. Then on reaching the lounge at DXB (2 hours before the flight), it changed to F0, J1, Y0 probably as either someone from J upgraded to F or oped-up to F. It continued to show that until just before they closed the flight where it changed to F0, J0, Y0. I checked my seat on MMB a couple of times and it continued to show my original seat, so I thought no op-up this time. Then I went to the gate at the F lounge - and the gate agent remarked "I've some good news for you - you've been upgraded to business". Well, that was a surprise since I was pretty sure that someone else was oped-up - perhaps, one of the very few times that being a Plat actually made a difference.
#59
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,881
^
That's very helpful informationn @eternaltransit. Hey, do you work/worked at EK by any chance .
Children under 12 are not eligible for complimentary upgrades - technically, although in a pinch it is of course up to the controller on the day.
In the case you mentioned, they would offer the upgrade to the EK Plat + Gold on the same itinerary but first check with the EK Plat at the lounge or check in whether it is okay to do that (as in, split up the family). If he/she declines, then they will skip to the other 4 golds in Y - however, there would be an offer of mileage deduction for the kids to go to J (other pax would not have the opportunity to take advantage of a space-available upgrade). However, ancedotally, most EK platinums take the complimentary upgrade to go to J and either leave the kids in Y, or sort out amongst themselves (aka, 1 adult and 1 kid in J and 1 adult 1 kid in Y).
In the case of 1 platinum, 1 gold and 2 non-members/silver/blue over the age of 12, then it is entirely up to the discretion of the controller (with input from check-in staff and lounge receptions as how they feel about the passenger - basically, if you've been singularly naughty or nice).
The usual options are: 1 platinum and 1 gold get the upgrade and if the group are very nice and polite and grateful etc., they will upgrade the entire travelling group. If not, then it will be the 1 platinum and 1 gold then 2 solo golds in Y.
In the case you mentioned, they would offer the upgrade to the EK Plat + Gold on the same itinerary but first check with the EK Plat at the lounge or check in whether it is okay to do that (as in, split up the family). If he/she declines, then they will skip to the other 4 golds in Y - however, there would be an offer of mileage deduction for the kids to go to J (other pax would not have the opportunity to take advantage of a space-available upgrade). However, ancedotally, most EK platinums take the complimentary upgrade to go to J and either leave the kids in Y, or sort out amongst themselves (aka, 1 adult and 1 kid in J and 1 adult 1 kid in Y).
In the case of 1 platinum, 1 gold and 2 non-members/silver/blue over the age of 12, then it is entirely up to the discretion of the controller (with input from check-in staff and lounge receptions as how they feel about the passenger - basically, if you've been singularly naughty or nice).
The usual options are: 1 platinum and 1 gold get the upgrade and if the group are very nice and polite and grateful etc., they will upgrade the entire travelling group. If not, then it will be the 1 platinum and 1 gold then 2 solo golds in Y.
#60
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
Instead I have become one of those travellers who ends up talking to staff members in all sorts of places and some are happy to answer my questions!