Hi

Not sure if this has been asked before (cannot see it in search.) What are the chances of getting an upgrade i am getting married in Dec and then going to
Australia for a month for my honeymoon. I would like it to be a surprise for my wife but i cannot afford the business or 1st class fares. Are there any tips from you guys/girls on getting an upgrade other than paying?

It depends on:

where are you originating
are you flying early or late december
are you skywards members (preferably silver or gold?)

If you are connecting in Dubai, the chances on the second sector / both sectors are slim to none. If the first sector is usually full in economy with seats in business you can ask if they can move you. If you are travelling during peak christmas time on a routr such as MAN-DXB, it is unlikely that any J seats will be free.

Cheers

Excuse a daft question... by why is it so special that an airline gives you an upgrade just because you're getting married, your birthday, your anniversary, your soon-to-be-something day?

If you can't afford it, well, make it up at your destination with flowers, gifts, little kisses etc. Or else see what you can exchange with someone who has EK miles to guarantee the upgrade.

But welcome to "Flyertalk" by the way.

Oh I loved this reply!!

In coach when you can at least lift the armrest and snuggle together. First/Business class should be reserved for people together for multiple years and couldn't stand that kind of closeness! I do agree that if it is so special you should certainly pay extra. Personally I'd rather spend the extra $$'s on the honeymoon.

From a strategic point of view, if any airline does something special for your birthday / anniversary etc etc you are more likely to remember it and fly them in the future. I am not just talking about upgrades but things such as cakes in flight (EK does this if notified in advance,) a card from the crew etc.

Cheers

No it doesn't. It spoils the market because the person who gets upgraded will want to be upgraded again, and again.

If EK upgrades people based on their FFP status, then it's fine. They are already loyal members and will keep flying EK. The first time flyer may fly EK again, but it may quite a ways down the line.

If the airline does it as a one-off, then that's their perogative. But people should not expect it just because.

I don't know if it specifically 'spoils' the market, because it may very well attract clients who ordinarily use the Y product to consider saving up and spending more on the J product. But, in terms of developing loyalty from an infrequent flier, not likely.

I do fully agree with Guy that it is NOT strategically the best thing to do. While it is a 'nice' thing to do, there is no compulsion to upgrade nor would be it be for strategic reasons.

-t.

I agree that is unlikely to develop loyalty from an infrequent flier, but there is still a gap between EK Silver and someone who never flies. One of my cousins just moved from Karachi to Toronto and goes back about twice a year (AC to LHR and EK from DXB) and does maybe about 20k to 22k miles a year. She was upgraded on her honeymoon flight to CMB from KHI and now constantly praises EK. I wouldn't call her an "infrequent" flier but she doesn't fly enough to make EK silver.

I also agree that there is no compulsion to upgrade - and with many of EK's flights going out full in J (especially on flights to Europe and Australia, the odds of an opup are falling let alone an upgrade for other reasons.)

Cheers,

I am not saying I should get an upgrade because i am getting married. I asked what are the chances. My details are as follows:-

05DEC 1730 CHECK-IN OPENS
2030 BIRMINGHAM BHX EK 038 CONFIRMED
06DEC 0725 DUBAI ECONOMY CLASS SEAT

06DEC 0540 CHECK-IN OPENS
0840 DUBAI EK 432 CONFIRMED
07DEC 0635 BRISBANE ECONOMY CLASS SEAT


04JAN 1650 CHECK-IN OPENS
1950 SYDNEY SYD EK 419 CONFIRMED
05JAN 0555 DUBAI ECONOMY CLASS SEAT


05JAN 0505 CHECK-IN OPENS
TERMINAL 1
0805 DUBAI EK 039 CONFIRMED
1140 BIRMINGHAM BHX ECONOMY CLASS SEAT
BAGGAGE 20KGS

I know some airlines do upgrade for weddings or very special events. Some of the members no doubt resent people getting upgrades thinking they should pay. But many of people in business class are being paid for by companies who get the money from customers sat in economy. So please hold of this high and mighty elitist attitude. I have worked hard for 20 years and i use EK a lot and i have never asked for anything. But i wanted to surprise my new wife if possible.If i could afford the other 2000 to upgrade i would but prefer to spend it on the honeymoon. Thank you for those who answered with respect and not in a negative manner.

1) Lets deal with the easy bit first, I'd say your chance of an upgrade are virtually zero. (a) Routes to/from the UK and to/from Australia are always very full in F&J (b) EK's F and J prices from the UK to Australia are very competitive and cause point (a)

2) I am unaware of any airline that 'upgrades for weddings or very special events'. Really, I am. If you do know of any, please share Seriously, lets distinguish between a random op-up and what's made to sound like policy.

3) Also, a number of people who know little or nothing about the airlines (note OP I am NOT including you in that group) will often say that they got an upgrade - further questions reveal that they were sat in a (i) bulkhead (ii) by an exit row (iii) seated in a premium seat on a charter flight

4) You say you don't want an upgrade but then later suggest that because you in effect fund companies who buy seats in J, you ought to be upgraded? Though you don't actually go on to make the point, the inference is clear. On that basis, everyone should be upgraded on every flight.

5) You use EK a lot - do you have some miles kicking around? You may have enough to upgrade one of the legs. Whilst this is not perfect, it might be a nice surprise for your wife.

The answers in this thread have absolutely nothing to do with 'a high and mighty attitude'. People have simply pointed out that free upgrades (i) are unlikely and (ii) should go the most loyal customers first (not high and might, loyal)

One of the most frequent questions on FT is 'how likely am I, a person with no FF status, flying for a special occasion, likely to get an upgrade'? The answer is almost always slim to none. If you detected any hostility, I suspect it was a cumulative reaction to an oft answered question.

From my moderate flying experience, the only chance to get upgraded for free without having a status is by absolutely not expecting it and not spending a second thinking of it.
(I once got upgraded at the gate in Dubai after having flown in all the way from Brisbane. I was on the cheapest student fare available and also locking like this with all my stuff that did not fit into the 20kg luggage limit. I was very happy that I had secured an emergency exit seat at the check-in in Brisbane, and already had opened my mouth to complain when the gate agent crossed my seat number out until I realized why he was doing it...)

My advice would be to top up your account and enjoy a one segment upgrade for this special occasion - maybe on your first segment from Birmingham to Dubai (25.000 miles). You'll have a great dinner and a good start on your honeymoon.

Secondly - try to ensure some proper seats in Y. Take the first row of econonly and enjoy that nobody is reclining onto you.

Have a great wedding.

Hello and welcome to FT. Please excuse some of the unnecessarily sharp comments you have encountered so far; we are not all like that. Having just achieved Gold Status, I have received 3 opups in the past year and it always pays to ask at checkin because you never know your luck. Having spoken to Emirates several times (friends in low places!!) you DO have a better than average chance of being given an UG but you need to join Skywards and then email EK at [email protected]. Tell them it is your wedding and request bulkhead seats in Economy but mention that you would like an upgrade if at all possible. (This has worked several times in the past!) Depending on cabin loads, etc, your wedding 'request' will be attached to your booking so keep your fingers crossed!

Remember; smile in all the right places during the checkin process. Good luck and have a great trip!

Regards,
Simon

Thank you for those who are more generous in their comments and i take on board ever bodies comments. You mention no airlines upgrade for weddings or special occasions this is not true. I have used Cyprus Airways for 15 years and travel 4 times a year with them. In true Greek fashion if you know somebody with the airline or a family member then you are upgraded. I am not Greek but i ask them for an upgrade and more often than not i get moved to business class. I am not even sure if they do a frequent flyer programme sure they do but my Cypriot friends laugh saying you don't need one for Cyprus Airways. This also happens on other Greek airlines and in Eastern Block countries. So saying it never happens is not quiet true. But if you were referring to Western Airlines then i guess your right. But thanks to those who were helpful and not judgemental, and as they say Don't ask you don't get.

To simonnewby or other helpful members you mention Bulkhead Economy are these not the seat with loads of legroom but fixed armrests? If so i am not sure if they are better for me as i was told children get located in the middle seats and having a broad beam 24 hours i like to have the armrest up. But any advice on the best sets in Economy would be welcome