Upgrading from Y to J during check-in
 

During the online check-in of my outbound leg, I was offered the chance to pay for an upgrade to Business Class. It wasn't a bad price but I didn't take up the offer.

If I'm offered the same chance to upgrade for my return leg during check-in from DXB and I take up the offer, are there any benefits/privileges that I don't get compared to having booked a Business Class ticket from the outset?

For example, would I still get things like DXB lounge access, priority check-in, boarding, etc. Or is it literally just the benefits whislt on board the aircraft?

That really depends on the terms and conditions attached with the offer.

It won't be possible to have a chauffeur take you to the airport. It might also be too late to book the chauffeur for your arrival.

..... Ignore, I didn't read the OP correctly :)

For the online check in upgrade you don't get lounge access unless membership status allows or any additional miles from traveling in a higher class. As mentioned, chauffeur service isn't available either. None of this is made clear unfortunately unless you check the TCs carefully.

Okay so it looks like it's the better seat, mostly.

Doesn't the online check-in upgrade appear with a green box saying you can't get lounge access/car?

edited!

Better food, booze, access to the bar on the A380, generally quicker off the plane.

I thought the chauffeur service had to be booked 2 days before travelling so upgrading at checkin will not help.

The last time (and only time) I was ever upgraded, it gave me lounge access at my transit airport, but as I was upgraded at the gate I did not get access to the lounge in London

Fast-track through customs and immigration too, in certain destinations. Don't need it in the US due to Global Entry, though :)

From my, albeit limited, experience, the fast track facility at DXB is a waste of time

Often, but I've had times where it does make a difference. It's often a waste of time because there is virtually no queue anyway

I've had it be VERY helpful...once. The other few times I was actually staying in DXB, there was little to no line.

I'm expecting Fast Track to be equally useless in SIN on our next trip :)

I read the terms more carefully this time during my check-in. Essentially you don't get lounge access or chauffeur drive. So what you end up with for about 500GBP is a nicer seat on board, plus the priority boarding and fast track.

For me, it's not worth it.