Checking for business upgrade availability before booking
Jan 11, 2019 | 4:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 22
Checking for business upgrade availability before booking
I'm planning a trip to Japan from Dubai and want to use my points to upgrade from economy to business. Is there a way to check how likely it is there will be seats available, often after I have booked in the past I find there are no upgrades available. I thought maybe there is some way to check beforehand or do I call Emirates before booking?
Is there a general consensus on which is the better business class on Emirates, the 777 or the A380 - both types fly to Japan.
Is there a general consensus on which is the better business class on Emirates, the 777 or the A380 - both types fly to Japan.
Jan 11, 2019 | 4:42 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,791
You can just search for a Business Saver Award, if that is available then upgrade is also available. Emirates has also started showing upgrade availability in search results, though not sure how reliable that is.
If you fly to HND I think it's the new F, and consequently new J, but still 2-3-2 and no bar.
If you fly to HND I think it's the new F, and consequently new J, but still 2-3-2 and no bar.
Jan 14, 2019 | 4:35 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Beijing
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 99
I have always called Emirates direct to find out if there is upgrade availability, I found this more useful when I am searching for various dates/airports. I have also had some agents hold the upgraded seat for me while I do the purchase so the upgrade can be processed immediately.
For what it's worth I am a much bigger fan of the A380, especially when traveling alone.
For what it's worth I am a much bigger fan of the A380, especially when traveling alone.
Jan 17, 2019 | 5:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Beijing
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 99
Same as kq747, I have always booked while I have them on the phone- I don't think they can hold it once you hang up but I'm not sure.
I usually only call when I have a pretty good idea of my travel plans and might only switch a day or two to get the upgrade (or in one case an airport since we had to connect regardless of the city we flew into in the US).
I usually only call when I have a pretty good idea of my travel plans and might only switch a day or two to get the upgrade (or in one case an airport since we had to connect regardless of the city we flew into in the US).
Jan 18, 2019 | 5:25 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: England - UK
Posts: 512
Thank you. I was thinking about how long amex transfers take once I'd found availability and how long they'd hold the seat for me pending points arrival. I don't have enough for a redemption yet but thought I'd ask whilst on the subject..
Jan 18, 2019 | 5:54 am
#9
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 19,801
The AMEX transfer is instantaneous in my experience. Log off and log into Skywards again, and the points are there. On the UK Amex site it does say "up to 48 hours", but I've not had to wait.
Jan 18, 2019 | 11:56 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: England - UK
Posts: 512
Thanks for this. May try a small transfer when I've got enough just to test the waters.
Feb 25, 2019 | 5:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Upgrading from economy to business with points
Hello, im heading to Dubai for work from jfk in several months. My company will only pay for an economy ticket, but Ive always wanted to fly emirates business or first!
I know to book an upgradable ticket which is a bit more expensive than a nonupgradable one. Where I need help is understanding what points to transfer where.
After some research, here are my questions:
I know to book an upgradable ticket which is a bit more expensive than a nonupgradable one. Where I need help is understanding what points to transfer where.
After some research, here are my questions:
- is it better to transfer chase rewards points to jetblue and book through jetblue? Is this even possible to get an upgrade on an Emirates flight going this way?
- if I transfer my Marriott points to skywards, will I definitely get an upgrade if a seat is available at that time? Ive been burned where I transferred many Marco Polo points for cathay, placed on a wait list and the points remain there
- definitely open to any suggestions!