So mrs m3red and I are about to hit platinum and I was wondering what people's experience was with EK opening up d or z class inventory? This would be a great benefit. At the moment my next few flights are in f and I'm struggling to see what (aside from a few more miles) platinum will actually help with!

Firstly, congratulations on the milestone.

I don't think I'll reach that milestone this year, but I'd also love to know what the benefits are. Particularly for those that mostly fly F.

IME, computer says no most of the time.

5% of the time you get an agent who checks with some sort of supervisor and then processes an upgrade - but I don't know whether this is actual D or Z class or it gets pushed through as an instant/airport space available upgrade as I do that 72-24 hrs before departure.

Benefits of platinum in F = complaints taken slightly more seriously, slightly more avenues to chat with staff as you can chat like a jaded flyer.

Not sure if this is a platinum thing or an EK thing but I had a 90 min connection that was delayed by 30 minutes inbound to DXB, when I disembarked the onward flight was already boarding and I had 25 minutes until gate closed. However we landed at concourse A and of course my onward was from the middle of concourse C - FIDS said the gate was 22 minutes away, and this was pre-security. No agent visible so rushed to the onward, arrived with 2 minutes to go - turns out my bags also made the connection.

Given the stories of bad connect handling I was extremely surprised to see my bags pop out the other end (and first batch!). So perhaps being platinum means they don't automatically offload and give you to the last minute!

Well, I can understand your cynicism as regards just how much/how often the 'milestone' achievement of Platinum will prove to be of significant practical help. I think my own perspective would be much the same.

But hey, maybe time to look at it from EK's point of view instead : comfort yourself with the heartwarming thought of how grateful they are to you for filling their coffers as you (and of course many others) continue to spend oodles of cash on all those over-priced ex-DXB fares in First !

they confirm Z if there is space T-72h but you have to call.

They've always been able to open up D and Z class inventory for me, so I've mostly had a good experience with upgrades.

How far out can you get it confirmed?

I never really had a problem with upgrades even when I was a gold so haven't noticed much difference as a Plat.

The only thing I have noticed is different being a Platinum is that last night I was told I could guest 2 people into lounge at LHR and to quote the Lounge manager it is because you are a super duper uber tVIP...haha

I hit Plat in May this year and have just passed 170,000 miles since then and this morning as i was wasting an hour of my life circling above Dubai realised I fly far Emirates too much!

2 guests is not an official benefit of course

Note to boorish platinums: please don't ruin it for the rest of us

Sorry Eternal.....Didn't mean to be boorish I am a bit grumpy today as EK004 was delayed by an hour this morning and did not get much sleep and had to be in the office by 7.30am!

Of course....ask me on any other day and I will tell you how fantastic being a Plat

No no no, that's not what I meant at all sorry - I meant only that I hope the rude Platinums out there who might see this and demand two guests make them clamp down on the nice gestures they make to the nice Platinums (e.g. 2 guests!)

Was certainly not a comment about you, except that you probably have enough tact and charm to ask for the extra guest politely!

I also have had little rest, ha ha!

Actually this was the first time I have ever guested anyone in to the lounge and did not expect anything

Sorry for the thread hijack, but something else I have noticed recently, I was flying F last week from DXB to BKK and just as I settled down into the seat the CC came up to me and asked if I would like my usual orange juice before take off...It seems that they now make a note of your preferences as Plat e.g what you drink and eat and add to your profile so they can tailor the service to you....a very nice touch I thought

No expectations is also a very good lesson for happy frequent travelling!

If you have drinks preferences saved in your Skywards profile it is printed on the manifest - it's not exclusive to platinum tier members.

Yep, even as a 'lowly Gold I can attest to that !

(albeit a strong Bloody Mary rather than OJ in my case - or green tea if it's still very early morning .....)

The opening up of the D/Z category can happen for Golds as well. I was a lowly gold last October and wanted a upgrade fromY-J from DXB to DEL. There was no D availability at the time .

It was the busy diwali period and the agent I spoke to said that she will try her best. Landed at DXB and was told that I was upgraded already. Very nice gesture from EK/ load controller.