Upgrading to First with Miles - experiences?
Nov 21, 2025 | 1:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2021
Programs: Emirates Skywards
Posts: 49
Upgrading to First with Miles - experiences?
Hi all
I understand that you can no longer swap miles for a first class seat directly anymore, and that you can only upgrade from Business to First with miles.
I have also heard that - as an example. I can buy an economy seat, upgrade with miles to business, then upgrade again with miles (at check-in) to first..... has anyone done this successfully?
What is the situation with taxes? How and when are these paid (if there are any extra taxes to pay).
Thanks
I understand that you can no longer swap miles for a first class seat directly anymore, and that you can only upgrade from Business to First with miles.
I have also heard that - as an example. I can buy an economy seat, upgrade with miles to business, then upgrade again with miles (at check-in) to first..... has anyone done this successfully?
What is the situation with taxes? How and when are these paid (if there are any extra taxes to pay).
Thanks
Nov 21, 2025 | 3:43 pm
#2
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 19,801
You can do the double upgrade, I've done that before.
Taxes depend on where you are departing from. In the UK (and some other countries), if you upgrade from Economy to Business, you will have to pay extra taxes.
Taxes depend on where you are departing from. In the UK (and some other countries), if you upgrade from Economy to Business, you will have to pay extra taxes.
Nov 22, 2025 | 12:19 am
#4
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,836
The only way to avoid the extra taxes (at least when departing from the UK) is to do the Y to J (or Y to W) upgrade on board. But then you cannot upgrade to F, which the aim of the OP is. The background is that for departures in any cabin above the lowest you pay additional APD. But for some reason this is not collected for on board upgrades. EK itself does not charge extra surcharges for upgrades.