Miles difference when upgrading sectors
Jul 22, 2015 | 12:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MAN
Programs: EK G̶o̶l̶d̶ S̶i̶l̶v̶e̶r̶ 'boarding zone F', IHG
Posts: 74
Miles difference when upgrading sectors
Hi all,
Short-time lurker, first-time poster here.
I was booked MAN-DXB-DEL-DXB-MAN in Economy Flex. I upgraded DEL-DXB with miles when it became available (checking every day). A few days later I upgraded DXB-MAN with miles when that became available too.
However as two separate upgrades the total cost in miles (19500 + 39000 = 58500) is a lot more than the awards calculator shows for DEL-MAN one way (45500). When the first leg (DEL-DXB) became available I did ring them to ask if the DXB-MAN was available because I was interested in upgrading the entire return journey.
I try not to expect to be 'entitled' to much, but do you think EK will refund the difference if I ask nicely? I am going to ask them, but thought I'd check here first if anyone has any experience...
At the end of this trip I will also be 300 tier miles short of Gold, so that'll be another polite request...
Thanks!
Abhi
Short-time lurker, first-time poster here.
I was booked MAN-DXB-DEL-DXB-MAN in Economy Flex. I upgraded DEL-DXB with miles when it became available (checking every day). A few days later I upgraded DXB-MAN with miles when that became available too.
However as two separate upgrades the total cost in miles (19500 + 39000 = 58500) is a lot more than the awards calculator shows for DEL-MAN one way (45500). When the first leg (DEL-DXB) became available I did ring them to ask if the DXB-MAN was available because I was interested in upgrading the entire return journey.
I try not to expect to be 'entitled' to much, but do you think EK will refund the difference if I ask nicely? I am going to ask them, but thought I'd check here first if anyone has any experience...
At the end of this trip I will also be 300 tier miles short of Gold, so that'll be another polite request...
Thanks!
Abhi
Last edited by ashivraj; Jul 22, 2015 at 12:28 am
Jul 22, 2015 | 12:27 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,041
What you have found is true of most (all?) EK routes via DXB. Mileage required is based on geographic sectors of the origin and destination.
When the second sector became available, what you could have done was cancelled the first sector upgrade and the miles would have been returned to you. If availability then showed on both sectors at that point, you could have upgraded for the lower amount.
Where this can fall down is the cancelled sector might not automatically go back in to the upgrade bucket, so you're back to square one. However if you do it over the phone, they may be able to hold it for you.
If you call them now and explain you want to cancel and rebook as one upgrade, they may be able to do that.
When the second sector became available, what you could have done was cancelled the first sector upgrade and the miles would have been returned to you. If availability then showed on both sectors at that point, you could have upgraded for the lower amount.
Where this can fall down is the cancelled sector might not automatically go back in to the upgrade bucket, so you're back to square one. However if you do it over the phone, they may be able to hold it for you.
If you call them now and explain you want to cancel and rebook as one upgrade, they may be able to do that.
Jul 22, 2015 | 1:34 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MAN
Programs: EK G̶o̶l̶d̶ S̶i̶l̶v̶e̶r̶ 'boarding zone F', IHG
Posts: 74
Thanks ft101 - great success! I rang them and managed to get it sorted as you describe. Nevermind that it took them 40 minutes to sort it out and landed me with a 60 roaming bill...