FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Emirates | Skywards (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards-490/)
-   -   Tips/Tricks for EK First Class and a Status Question (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards/2035816-tips-tricks-ek-first-class-status-question.html)

nauce Mar 13, 2021 10:33 am
Tips/Tricks for EK First Class and a Status Question
 
Hi FT Friends! I hope everyone is staying healthy and happy out there! As vaccinations continue to proliferate and cases go down, the wife and I are planning to get our travel shoes back on and head to the Maldives from Seattle in June or July.

I'm Gold on Emirates, but am still very much learning about the Skywards program and how to make the most of the trips. I have a couple big questions as we plan the trip:
  1. With the Status Extension into 2022, when does the clock on re-earning status begin? In my case, we're traveling in June or July of 2021, but my Gold Status is still in place until September 2022. So, does my travel in June or July of this year count toward re-earning Gold status? Or is it only travel that happens after September 2021 that counts? This would affect my desire to book it in cash vs. miles.
  2. If I get a Business Flex mileage ticket, I can later upgrade it to First Class using miles, right? (I think I've only ever upgraded cash tickets to first in the past.) If I do a mileage upgrade on a mileage ticket, do I have to pay the "upgrade miles" on top, or can I have them cancel and re-issue the ticket in first, saving miles?
  3. What are the practical differences between booking the trip on Alaska Miles vs. Emirates Miles? For example, if I book the trip in Business on Alaska Miles, can I later upgrade the ticket using Emirates miles to first class?
  4. Does anyone have tips or tricks on finding First availability using awards/upgrades? It seems that ExpertFlyer may never re-establish their EK data connection. (I've been waiting for months.) Do any 3rd party tools have EK award availability today?
  5. Bonus Trivia/Insider Question: It seems that Emirates has switched to the 2-cabin 777-LR from SEA-DXB until July 1st. With the case counts going down (and presumably travel demand going up), does anyone see this ending sooner than expected? Or do folks see this actually getting bumped out even further?
Thanks in advance for all your help and insights. Love this place!


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 2:52 pm.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.