Dec 29, 2019, 9:55 am
Last edit by: Saltire74
Please post your 2020, 2021 & 2022 Operational Upgrade Experiences in this thread for EK & FZ.
Around the middle of 2016, Emirates modified their Operational Upgrade Policy favouring type of ticket over status holders, giving non status passengers on Flex and Flex Plus tickets an advantage over (for example) Silver members on a Saver ticket.
As of Sep. 2019 Upgrading Ranking: (See this thread https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emir...cedure-11.html and this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31526987-post217.html
IO
Any Plat ranked by fare type (Flex Plus etc) (Some exceptions reported in this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31526987-post217.html)
Flex Plus ranked by status
Flex ranked by status
Saver ranked by status
So status does still provide priority within the fare type, and IO/Plats are usually ahead of everyone although some anomalies have been reported.
Link to the 2019 thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emir...st-here-9.html
Please use the following format for ease of reading and of course, discussion is still welcome.
Example:
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Check in desk 5min before flight closure
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK1
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 12 December 2019
Tier status: Plat
Tier miles to date: 388k
Skywards miles balance: 402k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Safe & Happy Travels and May The Upgrade Gods Look Favourably Upon You.
Saltire74
EK Forum Co-Moderator
Around the middle of 2016, Emirates modified their Operational Upgrade Policy favouring type of ticket over status holders, giving non status passengers on Flex and Flex Plus tickets an advantage over (for example) Silver members on a Saver ticket.
As of Sep. 2019 Upgrading Ranking: (See this thread https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emir...cedure-11.html and this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31526987-post217.html
IO
Any Plat ranked by fare type (Flex Plus etc) (Some exceptions reported in this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31526987-post217.html)
Flex Plus ranked by status
Flex ranked by status
Saver ranked by status
So status does still provide priority within the fare type, and IO/Plats are usually ahead of everyone although some anomalies have been reported.
Link to the 2019 thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emir...st-here-9.html
Please use the following format for ease of reading and of course, discussion is still welcome.
Example:
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Check in desk 5min before flight closure
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK1
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 12 December 2019
Tier status: Plat
Tier miles to date: 388k
Skywards miles balance: 402k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Safe & Happy Travels and May The Upgrade Gods Look Favourably Upon You.
Saltire74
EK Forum Co-Moderator
Your Operational Upgrade Experiences 2020 /2021 & 2022 - Please Post Here
Dec 29, 2019, 9:11 am
#1
Moderator, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Where My Heart Is
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Platinum, KQ Asante Gold, Shebamiles Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 3,386
Your Operational Upgrade Experiences 2020 /2021 & 2022 - Please Post Here
Hi All
Another new thread for 2020. Please post your 2020 Operational Upgrade experiences here. Given the lack of travel by many over the past couple of years, leaving many to miss the glorious beep, we’ll continue using this thread to include 2022 Operational Upgrade reporting.
To see how lucky some of our members were in the year before the world ground to a halt, you can have a look at the 2019 thread Your Operational Upgrade Experiences 2019 - Please Post Here
Refer to the wiki above for format details.
Safe & Happy Travels and may the Upgrade Gods look upon you favourably.
Saltire74
To see how lucky some of our members were in the year before the world ground to a halt, you can have a look at the 2019 thread Your Operational Upgrade Experiences 2019 - Please Post Here
Refer to the wiki above for format details.
Safe & Happy Travels and may the Upgrade Gods look upon you favourably.
Saltire74
Last edited by Saltire74; Feb 23, 2022 at 9:20 am Reason: Date inclusion update
Jan 5, 2020, 6:02 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Mobile BP 10min before flight closure
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK31
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 05 January 2019
Tier status: Plat
Tier miles to date: 412k
Skywards miles balance: 388k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: Mobile BP 10min before flight closure
Route: DXB - LHR
Flight number: EK31
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 05 January 2019
Tier status: Plat
Tier miles to date: 412k
Skywards miles balance: 388k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Jan 5, 2020, 12:12 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 27
Late posting this one but suppose I think I should have been the first of 2020 - good start to the year!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Mobile 3hrs before departure
Route: MAN - DXB
Flight number: EK20
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 02 January 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 89k
Skywards miles balance: 118k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: Mobile 3hrs before departure
Route: MAN - DXB
Flight number: EK20
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 02 January 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 89k
Skywards miles balance: 118k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Jan 14, 2020, 7:40 am
#4
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - LGW
Flight number: EK11
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14 January 2019
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 41k
Skywards miles balance: 91k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 2
Strange one. Flight seemed quite full in Y (showing Y0 a few days before and also heavily populated seat map at T-24). But plenty of availability in J and F. I was not expecting anything on a J Saver ticket (and even said to mrs t that there was close to zero chance). We had a shortish connection (1:40) and with a bus stand arrival we got through transfer security at T-1 hour. Flights showed to be boarding already and as it was a B gate (and therefore no lounge boarding), we decided to go straight to the gate (and forego our customary ice cream and Moët). At the gate Mrs t presented her BP first, whereupon the gate lady smiled and said 'Mrs t you are lucky, you have been upgraded'. Mrs t (bless her soul) said that she would give the F seat to me ('as he appreciates it more than I do'), but the lady said 'that won't be necessary, he has been upgraded too'. Gate was a war zone as all Y hand luggage was closely inspected by police. Upper deck passengers were told to sit down and wait and then escorted to the lifts to the UD boarding level.
Still surprised with that upgrade from a Saver ticket. Were there so few Plats and Flex (+) tickets in J?
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - LGW
Flight number: EK11
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 14 January 2019
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 41k
Skywards miles balance: 91k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 2
Strange one. Flight seemed quite full in Y (showing Y0 a few days before and also heavily populated seat map at T-24). But plenty of availability in J and F. I was not expecting anything on a J Saver ticket (and even said to mrs t that there was close to zero chance). We had a shortish connection (1:40) and with a bus stand arrival we got through transfer security at T-1 hour. Flights showed to be boarding already and as it was a B gate (and therefore no lounge boarding), we decided to go straight to the gate (and forego our customary ice cream and Moët). At the gate Mrs t presented her BP first, whereupon the gate lady smiled and said 'Mrs t you are lucky, you have been upgraded'. Mrs t (bless her soul) said that she would give the F seat to me ('as he appreciates it more than I do'), but the lady said 'that won't be necessary, he has been upgraded too'. Gate was a war zone as all Y hand luggage was closely inspected by police. Upper deck passengers were told to sit down and wait and then escorted to the lifts to the UD boarding level.
Still surprised with that upgrade from a Saver ticket. Were there so few Plats and Flex (+) tickets in J?
Jan 22, 2020, 8:56 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - SIN
Flight number: EK432
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 22 January 2019
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 495k
Skywards miles balance: 544k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: Gate
Route: DXB - SIN
Flight number: EK432
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: 22 January 2019
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 495k
Skywards miles balance: 544k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Jan 24, 2020, 4:01 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Another CNY-affected upgrade.
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: check in desk t-65
Route: SIN DXB
Flight number: EK355
Type of ticket: flex plus
Date of travel: 23 January 2019
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 502k
Skywards miles balance: 550k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
tier miles will reset this month to zero
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: check in desk t-65
Route: SIN DXB
Flight number: EK355
Type of ticket: flex plus
Date of travel: 23 January 2019
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 502k
Skywards miles balance: 550k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
tier miles will reset this month to zero
Jan 24, 2020, 4:36 am
#7
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Jan 24, 2020, 4:38 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 5
Y - J, BLR-DXB Op-up while a/c was taxiing!
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: After the aircraft began taxi-ing! Yes!! The story in brief below.
Route: BLR - DXB
Flight number: EK569
Type of ticket: FLEX
Date of travel: 18 Jan 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 70K
Skywards miles balance: 40K
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
18 Jan 2020
=========
Happily checked into the economy on an overbooked flight on a Flex ticket. This was a last-minute rebook via the EK Skywards line--was going back home one day earlier than planned. The PAX next to me was downgraded from J to Y due to an oversold class. I buckle up and as the gate closed, a lady shows up and politely says, "Sir, I think you are in the wrong seat," while flashing her boarding card. I show mine and we both have 21H
Not knowing what to do -- we call for help who calls a supervisor, who then takes our passports and boarding cards.
The Boeing 777 starts taxi-ing. I was pretty confident that someone was going to be seated on the jump seat in the cockpit
I and my other two co-passenger start complaining about how is this possible with two PAX with the same seat allocation. We are lining up for the runway and comes back the supervisor -- "Sir, we have moved you to the front, please follow me!"
Upgrade location: After the aircraft began taxi-ing! Yes!! The story in brief below.
Route: BLR - DXB
Flight number: EK569
Type of ticket: FLEX
Date of travel: 18 Jan 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 70K
Skywards miles balance: 40K
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
18 Jan 2020
=========
Happily checked into the economy on an overbooked flight on a Flex ticket. This was a last-minute rebook via the EK Skywards line--was going back home one day earlier than planned. The PAX next to me was downgraded from J to Y due to an oversold class. I buckle up and as the gate closed, a lady shows up and politely says, "Sir, I think you are in the wrong seat," while flashing her boarding card. I show mine and we both have 21H
Not knowing what to do -- we call for help who calls a supervisor, who then takes our passports and boarding cards.
The Boeing 777 starts taxi-ing. I was pretty confident that someone was going to be seated on the jump seat in the cockpit
I and my other two co-passenger start complaining about how is this possible with two PAX with the same seat allocation. We are lining up for the runway and comes back the supervisor -- "Sir, we have moved you to the front, please follow me!"
Jan 24, 2020, 5:22 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Ah I thought it was a set month that is different for everyone after which it goes to zero. Thank you for clarifying.
Jan 25, 2020, 4:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: between check in and the lounge boarding pass changed on app
Route: SIN - MEL
Flight number: EK404
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 25 January 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 20k
Skywards miles balance: 105k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: between check in and the lounge boarding pass changed on app
Route: SIN - MEL
Flight number: EK404
Type of ticket: Flex
Date of travel: 25 January 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 20k
Skywards miles balance: 105k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Jan 27, 2020, 10:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: EK Platinum, QR Gold, LH Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Priority Pass, Global Entry
Posts: 183
January op ups
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Shortly after stowing carry-on luggage while seated
Route: NBO-DXB
Flight number: EK 722
Type of ticket: SAVER
Date of travel: 19 Jan 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 130k
Skywards miles balance: 165k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: Shortly after stowing carry-on luggage while seated
Route: NBO-DXB
Flight number: EK 722
Type of ticket: SAVER
Date of travel: 19 Jan 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 130k
Skywards miles balance: 165k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Jan 27, 2020, 10:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Nairobi
Programs: EK Platinum, QR Gold, LH Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Priority Pass, Global Entry
Posts: 183
Jan op ups second
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: At gate
Route: DXB-BOM
Flight number: EK 502
Type of ticket: SAVER
Date of travel: 20 Jan 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 130k
Skywards miles balance: 165k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: At gate
Route: DXB-BOM
Flight number: EK 502
Type of ticket: SAVER
Date of travel: 20 Jan 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 130k
Skywards miles balance: 165k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Feb 2, 2020, 1:14 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HYD
Programs: Emirates Gold
Posts: 39
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: At gate
Route: HYD - DXB, DXB - ORD
Flight number: EK 525, EK235
Type of ticket: FLEX PLUS
Date of travel: 6 Jan 2020
Tier status: Silver (as of date of travel)
Tier miles to date: 59K
Skywards miles balance: 103k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: At gate
Route: HYD - DXB, DXB - ORD
Flight number: EK 525, EK235
Type of ticket: FLEX PLUS
Date of travel: 6 Jan 2020
Tier status: Silver (as of date of travel)
Tier miles to date: 59K
Skywards miles balance: 103k
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Feb 2, 2020, 2:50 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EK1 ML5A ;-)
Programs: EK iO
Posts: 699
Upgrade given: J - F
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: DXB-LHR
Flight number: EK 29
Type of ticket: Flex Plus
Date of travel: 2 Feb 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 500k+
Skywards miles balance: 400k+
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Upgrade location: Lounge
Route: DXB-LHR
Flight number: EK 29
Type of ticket: Flex Plus
Date of travel: 2 Feb 2020
Tier status: Platinum
Tier miles to date: 500k+
Skywards miles balance: 400k+
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
Feb 2, 2020, 5:00 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, FB Silver
Posts: 318
Upgrade given: Y - J
Upgrade location: At Boarding
Route: EBB-DXB
Flight number: EK 730
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: Feb 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 5k+
Skywards miles balance: 60k+
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
J seemed empty upon check-in but I didn't receive an Upgrade Offer - probably because of the low Saver ticket.
I was very happy with the upgrade, but it seemed strange with my Gold Saver ticket... There must have been Plat's and Flex ticketed passenger. Maybe EBB isn't following the upgrade rules that don't favour frequent fliers...
Upgrade location: At Boarding
Route: EBB-DXB
Flight number: EK 730
Type of ticket: Saver
Date of travel: Feb 2020
Tier status: Gold
Tier miles to date: 5k+
Skywards miles balance: 60k+
Number of pax on the same PNR (Including OP): 1
J seemed empty upon check-in but I didn't receive an Upgrade Offer - probably because of the low Saver ticket.
I was very happy with the upgrade, but it seemed strange with my Gold Saver ticket... There must have been Plat's and Flex ticketed passenger. Maybe EBB isn't following the upgrade rules that don't favour frequent fliers...