Hello, hello!!
My friend and I are flying JFK-MXP (one way) in a couple of weeks. We are flying Business Class, booked with skyward points.
We are on the auto-upgrade list, but as our 2 bookings are linked, two seats would have to open up simultaneously for us to be upgraded.
I have checked the availability of revenue seats (on Emirates and Expedia) and there seems to be at least 7 FC rev seats left.
I am a gold member through the recent Barclays Mastercard sign up.
What do you think?? I know that every day is different, and I am guaranteed nothing. Just curious to know your opinions. You guys seem to know a hell of a lot!!
Also, is there a better way to know the exact number of Revenue seats are left? Other than calling and asking directly!?

Thanks in advance!!

If you tell us the date and flight number I can check what the loads are like currently on expertflyer. But really it is impossible to guess, because even if availability is good, this could change last minute for any number of reasons.

Even if you are not able to upgrade in advance, remember you can upgrade at the airport when checkin opens, to any available unsold seat. This is a great perk and has worked for me several times in the past.

Thanks Modula.
The flight is EK206. July 1, JFK to MXP at 22:20.

Thanks for any insight!

Flights ex JFK tend to be quite Plat (and I/O) heavy so you need to be mindful of that.....

EK 2060JFK
07/01/25 10:20 PMMXP
07/02/25 12:15 PM388
F4 A4 J7 C0 I0 O0 Y9 R9 X9 M9 B9 U9 K9 Q0 L0 V0

Based on this I think you've a decent chance up upgrade to F being available at the airport if not before. Business is very full. F currently has just 3 seats allocated on the seat map.

A lot can (and will) change in 2 weeks though.

... as i have mentioned in my previous post

Upgrades for both passengers came through today!!! Yay!
Thank you all for the insight!

Delighted to hear it. I had a feeling based on the loads, that you would get the upgrades, but I didnt want to get your hopes up. Enjoy the flight!

For the example above, they cleared the UGs at 13 days prior. What are people seeing for other upgrade timelines? I'm flying DXB-MIA on a J award 8AUG and had requested an auto-upgrade. A couple weeks back, I took a look at my booking, and didn't see the auto-upgrade mentioned, but it let me confirm an upgrade to F. My companion, however is still waitlisted. I'm only seeing my seat allocated, so it seems there are still F7.

Separately, we'd prefer to fly a day later and have been keeping an eye on award inventory. If award inventory opens for J, I expect i will get my UG miles returned and have to re-waitlist? Is there any chance they'd move me over in F if there's availability? I have no status with EK.

if you have no status then would moving your ticket still be possible with the new rules?