Hi,

I know this has been done regularly, but a search shows nothing recent so I hope you don't mind me checking for latest advice!

I am EK Blue but have a lot of miles, around 175k. I will be silver after this trip.

I want to book the following flights, ideally in Economy Flex, and then use miles to upgrade.

31 Aug EK018 MAN 1400 � DXB 0015

1 Sep EK302 DXB 0250 � PVG 1530


6 Sep EK303 PVG 0005 � DXB 0455

6 Sep EK017 DXB 0725 � MAN 1205

Expertflyer is showing no D Class availability on any of the sectors at this point. I'm fairly attached to those exact flights for various reasons.

I have set alerts so that I can be notified if it opens up.

But - I am trying to understand, what is the likelihood of availability opening up? I would like to avoid booking in Business if I can, but equally don't really want to end up in an Economy seat.

Equally there is good business availability now at a good price - so I'm tempted to just go and book it. But that leaves me thinking will I ever be able to use the miles - I earn a lot through the credit card and only got it really to be able to spend the miles upgrading trips to the far east.

Obviously it's a gamble - but if anyone could give me a bit more insight into when the D class opens up and what I can do to ascertain likelihood I'd appreciate it. I probably have this dilemma 3-4 times a year so if I can learn a bit more and never need to ask again that would be great!

Last time I booked Business one way and Economy back, and managed to upgrade one out of two sectors on the way back. But then seriously regretted sitting in economy on the dxb-lhr (with a 2h45 tarmac delay to boot!).

Appreciate any advice

James

Welcome to Flyertalk JimboLondon.

If you want to fly Business book Business, especially if it's at a good price - its the only guaranteed way.

You could then use your points to try and upgrade into First.

Buy business for this flight, get silver and then in future you can upgrade on board if space available, which will often be the only way as many flights virtually never open up space. You can also (now already as Blue) try your luck at check-in (and lounge in DXB)

If a reasonably price fare is available to purchase a business class seat then I would book that immediately and upgrade to first. I have just checked EF and there is Z class availability on all legs! As a bonus it will cost you less in miles as you will be upgrading all the way through and not sector by sector. Also, there will be no extra tax to pay either as already booked into business. Oh and all flights are A380's!!!!!

Sounds like a win win situation to me.

Thanks all. I took the advice, booked Business and upgraded the return leg to First. I have never flown Emirates First before - I did BA F last year but I suspect this will be a whole different level. I have enough points to upgrade both ways but have resisted for now in the hope of finding another way to spend them.

When I got the Emirates credit card, I redirected a lot of spend to it, so that I didn't need to pay for business class, and use the points to upgrade from economy. But I can see that I'll end up paying for business and upgrading to first instead. I had never flown business at all until last year, but as you no doubt agree it's hard to stop once you start!

Do yourself a favour and book the whole way in F. You never know when the next devaluation or rule change is coming and if you can spend them on upgrades its the best use of points by far.