Purchasing miles
 

Hi
I am currently in the UK after flying from Brisbane to London at the end of March. My return journey is booked in economy at the end of this month. I have accrued 8700 Skyward points and was wondering if it is possible to purchase more miles to upgrade to business class for even one leg of my return journey?

Yes, you can purchase up to 25000 miles at USD $40 per 1000 miles:
http://www.emirates.com/english/help...purchase-miles

However your ticket class (Saver / Flex / Flex Plus) will have a bearing on the miles-cost to upgrade. Assuming that you only have 8700 skywards miles to your name, you will require a total of 30,000 miles to upgrade based on Flex Plus ticket flying LHR-DXB. If you've got a lower-class ticket (Saver or Flex) then a miles upgrade will be out of the question as you wont be able to purchase enough miles to meet the total upgrade miles required.

Also take into consideration (if you're looking at purchasing miles) is that the ability to upgrade with miles is never guaranteed - again assuming you are flying out of LHR which is one of the busier legs.

Rather than spending the money on miles, you could see what the cost is to re-grade your ticket at check-in.

As nmc980 said, it'd hardly be feasible given the number of miles you would require and cost of the miles. It'd make more sense to check the cost of changing your flight to business, you can do it online for the entire leg (LHR/LGW-BNE) or ask at the check-in desk about upgrading just one of them.

Change fee is waived for upgrade to higher class of travel, so only fare difference applies

Because I enjoyed my first First so much last week, I was considering purchasing the limit of 25000 miles for £700 to try and upgrade my DXB-GLA flight in July if it opens up. The cost would be 39000 miles. I currently have 12500. I would be short of a measly 1500 with no way of buying the extra. What a bummer :D:eek::cool:

Looks like I'll be sticking with Business Class :eek:

Safe & Happy Travels

S

1 night in an IHG Hotel = 500 miles. $1 spent at Starwood hotels = 2 Skywards miles. 1 car rental from certain partners = 500 miles.

1500 miles can be obtained easily. Quickest way to check upgrade availability in my opinion is checking on the Emirates app under My Trips > Click the trip > top right menu icon > upgrade it'll show which sectors have availability. always check availability before purchasing.

IHG is my favourite EK partner for earning extra miles, because it's like 60$ a night at Holiday Inn Express. Obviously not great value, but does the trick. also single-day car rentals when on business trips, quick 500 miles for like 18$

IHG...ha ha. I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express a few weeks ago and enrolled in their loyalty programme. Must have a look at that :eek:

Cheers for the tip.

Safe & Happy Travels

S

You should see how much it is to pay for the upgrade £700 is a lot for that leg given what long haul first can cost, for example I paid £6300 for 2 X f flights to sin - the difference in the cost vs j was about £800 across 4 flights for 2....worth it in my view

It often gets added if doing the change on line. If it does, the OP will have to call, and maybe even have to point it out to the agent there.

you can also transfer the 1500 (2000 min.) from another account, 25$ per 1000 miles

Open an MBNA Emirates credit card account, get 5000 miles, close it in a few months... or get the Elite with more miles, £150 annual fee and £150 off a J/F ticket?
https://www.mbna.co.uk/compare-credi...ates-skywards/
https://www.mbna.co.uk/compare-credi...kywards-elite/

Although it's doubtful the OP will return, I'm guessing he's not UK based. So, not eligible for a UK card,

Dohh - I somehow managed to read Saltire74's post and assumed the OP was returning home to Glasgow... Oops!

Just been on the phone to EK to ask how much a cash upgrade to F is. The very nice Italian CS agent I was speaking to has asked me if I wouldn't mind calling back as because it is a TA booking she will have to make some enquiries first so that she can recalculate.

I thought that once you had completed one leg of your journey then the control of the ticket comes under full control of the airline. Expert views ET:D?

Back of a fag packet arithmetic I am reckoning around £700 maybe. I of course, and knowing my luck, could be way way off :D. If it is that though I will be definitely ponying up the cash. That's for both legs and will take me into EK Gold territory unlike the £700 to buy 'nearly' enough miles to upgrade 1 leg.

Will let you know the outcome.

Safe & Happy Travels

S

Just to update. Got a call back from EK and what a lovely and delightful CS Agent that dealt with my enquiry.

So m3red, your advice was certainly worth taking note of. Considering this is as said PEK-DXB-GLA upgrading from Business Saver to First Saver, I was given a quote of the princely sum of....£412.00. :eek::D:D:D. I double & triple checked :p.

I am now awaiting the confirmation e-mail which should be sent in the bext five or ten minutes and then I shall pat myself on the back for checking now instead of waiting for a few weeks.

And to boot, this will take me to the dizzying heights of EK Gold and will finally get to try the F Lounge in DXB...

Safe & Happy Travels

S