Upgrading with Emirates Miles

Very interesting thread.... I'm a very frequent flyer for work and vacation (typically renew EK Gold within 2-3 months of new year). 3-4 years ago, flying EK was my absolute top priority over any other airline because of the good prices, the fantastic service and also the ease of using your points for upgrades. Using points to purchase flights is really not worth it- the real value of the points is in upgrading because the monetary value per point is much higher that way. It always worked and I was a super happy customer. For the past few years however, I definitely realize that on popular routes (eg, LHR, FRA, BKK), all A380 routes, during weekends or popular times it is almost impossible to upgrade in advance via the Skywards hotline or website. Even with my status it's not possible and if I try to upgrade family members or friends that are visiting and have no status themselves, it's even worse. Now, that being said I always get the higher class upgrade on the counter when I pay with miles (and yes, true, on overbooked flights I also get upgraded for free), but the problem is the planneability: you have to pack for lower baggage allowance bec you can't be sure that you'll get the upgrade and then I'm annoyed because I didn't take all the stuff I wanted. You can't avail of the chauffeur service (which frankly, is in my view one of the reasons they make scheduled upgrading so difficult but on the counter upgrading so easy: they probably want to manage their costs with the chauffeur service, which in some cities is quite high..). You have to be at the airport much earlier, just to be sure... I'm really annoyed by this situation and my observation has been it's getting worse and worse: their prices get higher (by now, I have achieved EY's Gold status equivalent bec they're often so much cheaper that there's no way my company would understand why I wanted to fly EK when the service is more than comparable), but their service and their customer care gets worse. I also noticed that the call center agents often get quite impatient on the phone when asked for the upgrade situation- I assume that's because many customers might be complaining about this. EK should be really careful not falling for their own hubris, my company is not the only one that's gradually shifting to other carriers because of the ridiculous increase in prices and lack of customer service.

If you booked them online, they are a seating request only, not guaranteed seats (actually, seating allocations are never 100% guaranteed, since ground staff can override them and move people for certain reasons) Are you travelling with children? Sometimes it's necessary to split groups due to oxygen mask requirements, other times it could be to keep very young children together or to seat someone with a medical condition in certain seats (some seats are preferable for example close to lavatory, an aisle seat close to the medical power outlet- some passengers need all three) If you notice this happens when you check in online, try to get to the airport early and see if they can change it back, or re-seat you together elsewhere. The later you get to the airport, the higher chance you can be split up since they allocate first come first served if people haven't picked any seats. And then of course if someone travels last minute who is higher tier frequent flyer, they can sometimes have a preferred seat in the system which is given to them, sucks if it's you who loses a seat but they reward the most frequent travellers with perks like that. If all else fails, you can try to swap with other people once onboard.

So we booked our seats in biz some full fare some miles upgrade and were confirmed seats back in Feb, now they are noT honoring the seats that were pre booked! And we are split, how come this can happen? <em>edited by JShepherd on 29/06/2012</em>

Oh and my husband has a Gold Card - he gets upgraded for FREE all the time. And I mean, all the time!

Hi ladies. I upgrade all the time with Emirates using skywards miles. Log in to your skywards account and do it from there. Try 4 weeks prior to travel. Leave it until the last minute and you'll be unlucky. We're travelling on 12th July to Manchester (booked in February). When I booked there were no upgrade seats. I looked one week ago and hey presto! Upgraded all three of us. They take more points off you now though and you will have to pay some cash but hey... it's Business class. The Economy seats cost me about 14000 AED and to fly Business it would have been 32000! We pay for everything on our Emirates/NBD credit card to get the extra points and blimey, is it worth it!

Captain America, like I have already said if you think they are treating you wrongly because you're a woman or other reason then don't just complain here, file a report with them. Nothing will change otherwise! Also if your DH is the account holder it is possible they refused you because they need him to do it? I believe another poster said they had that reason given... I was not complaining here, just saying, as my 'problem' was easily sorted. No, each of us have our own air miles. I am just giving everyone the 'headsup' that there are many things going on and if they refuse an upgrade perhaps you should let someone else have a go. Besides all of that, Dubai is 'who you know', not how many air miles you have or what time of the year it may be.

Captain America, like I have already said if you think they are treating you wrongly because you're a woman or other reason then don't just complain here, file a report with them. Nothing will change otherwise! Also if your DH is the account holder it is possible they refused you because they need him to do it? I believe another poster said they had that reason given...

Might have been because you looked the nicest... ;) All you have to do is say to the second one that someone already spoke to you about this... I doubt they were intentially 'harassing' you, probably just not telling each other one had already spoken to you and then the second... Personally I generally am guilty of asking women over men because women seem to be more sympathetic to the situation, but if someone says no of course we don't force them. Only time would be is it was a staff member using benefits in which case of couse they move...

The last time I flew (and paid full fare) business class I was, or so it seemed, harrassed by at least 3 crew members to change seats to accomodate a family who hadn't had the foresight to choose their seats ahead of time. While ordinarily this wouldn't have been an issue but this was an 8+ hour flight, I had chosen that seat 6 weeks previously to ensure I wasn't bumped by the trolley or by the children who seem to be allowed sometimes to run up and down the aisles. The change would have meant I would be vulnerable to both, rather than trying to sleep. I refused politely - especially as I wasn't the only single passenger on the flight in business class - to me it seemed they chose to target me because I was the only single female passenger. edited by marycatherine on 28/06/2012 <em>edited by marycatherine on 28/06/2012</em>

Recently I could not obtain an air miles upgrade for me and kids, but when DH went to do it, it was honored ASAP…..

I highly doubt it. Cabins are full of people from everywhere. Unless you mean staff on desks are giving preference for some over others, in which case then you should file a complaint.

I believe that certain nationalities get priority for upgrades. Just sain .

Keep in mind also that many airlines have a policy of capping upgrades... for example one Aussie company in their plane may have say, 10 seats showing empty for a flight, but will only release 3 or 4 for points upgrades, the rest have to be paid-for cash upgrades. Something to do with not 'diluting the premium product'. I guess it makes sense- they don't want the cabins to always be full of people using points because that p!sses off the people who always pay for tickets. Though I can see how it would be the other way around if you pay for lots of tickets and can't use the miles to upgrade. It's really worth reading through all the T&Cs, especially with Sywards as someone said it can all depend on how you earnt the miles (whether you got them from flying EK or through buying something on your card- obvs points earnt directly with the airline hold more weight) For the lady wanting to upgrade the baby- be aware that even if there's empty seats you may not be permitted to use one because the baby is classed as a lap child. Some crew will let it slide but technically speaking if you wanted to use an empty seat for the baby in J class you'd have to pay the full points upgrade. So if the crew say no to using a 'spare' seat you know why... Recently we had a family travelling, Dad was in J (paid for by work) mum was in Y with baby. Dad had baby on boarding and we realised they hadn't actually paid for baby to be in J class through the paperwork so unfortunately we had to ask them to keep baby in Y with mum. Not fair to the other families who'd paid full fare for their babies to sit in J class. So for anyone thinking to be a bit cheeky (not pointing at anyone here, just saying) we can and do find out! ;) Also as someone mentioned you'll find the dedicated Skywards number a lot better than calling EK reservations as the Skywards people are there to know all the ins and outs of the ticketing/points rules & restrictions... <em>edited by SkyKitty on 28/06/2012</em>

I always book months in advance and still have problems! Last time I flew they had 3 of us in different seats all over biz class, including my dd, they made no attempt to put us together! It was only the fab first class cabin crew that basically rearranged the whole seating as many others were all over the place too, shambles from book in! This time I have booked way in advance and still not able to get seats together grrrrrrr

This reminds me of a thread a couple of years ago where a poster was leaving Dubai. She asked EWers if they'd donate their Skywards miles to her so she could upgrade for free and enjoy a bigger baggage allowance :) ETA It didn't [i'>remind[/i'> me of a previous thread, I thought about a previous thread whilst reading this one. edited by Sanddy_Dogg on 28/06/2012 I remember that thread, made me laugh.

I've actually had very good experiences upgrading on several occasions (knocks wood). The thing is that summer is usually the worst time to try for miles tickets or upgrades (besides christmas). Firstly, the seats are hard to find (allocations like loranaji said) and the rewards themselves cost more - in miles. You either need to book well in advance (I'm talking months) if you want these times, or choose different times. The process I use is exactly what lec299 describes - check availability first then book where flexibility allows it. Infant fares - cash or miles is 10% of adult fare paid by accompanying adult. For the cost you get right of passage, baggage allowance and a bassinet (subject to availability). And of course they stock things like milk and baby essentials though I've never taken a chance and not taken my own :). Also bear in mind there are some restrictions on usage of miles. For instance, you need to have gotten your miles with a certain percentage in actual flights on Emirates for they year (versus collected them as rewards on credit cards). I think, I could be wrong, there is also a cap on how many you can use in a year.

Why did you quote me MC?! Sorry ... I'm new to EW - still not sure how to work it. No worries! I did reply to your last thread though ;-) I actually meant to say before the lady answered back "sorry no free upgrades" she & the lady she was speaking to in another language actually had a laugh before telling me no. How rude! lol. I really wish BA was 1 stop for me & not 2 :(

Why did you quote me MC?! Sorry ... I'm new to EW - still not sure how to work it. No worries!

Why did you quote me MC?! Sorry ... I'm new to EW - still not sure how to work it.

The story about allocation of seats for upgrade or miles etc is very true. I used to work at EK and we had specific no of seats for each type of staff ticket, there is priorities to tickets annual leave ticket then discounted ticket.. so it is the same with miles most important are the people who purchase a full fare ticket that will have all the seats opened, then comes skywards miles, staff tickets etc. I have skyward miles too and once I tried to book through skywards miles but didn't find seats on the dates I want, when I tried to find seats without using miles, I mean to pay full fare ticket I found the seats.

Why did you quote me MC?!

I'm trying to upgrade for honeymoon, and the system keeps telling me that 'no upgrades currently are available. Try nearer the time'. EK seem to make actually redeeming your airmiles for an upgrade as difficult as possible. :( Please don't hold your breath ... thats what I have been told for the past 4 years. I use Emirates at least 3 times a year & each time I try for my upgrade i get told a different story. Check nearer the time... Go early and upgrade at the check in desk...No seats available. The last time I done as they said & went early, spoke to the lady at the check in desk who proceeded to speak in another language to the girl beside her and replied sorry we have no "free upgrades" I explained it was not a "free" upgrade considering the amount of money I have spent with them over the years & that I was wishing to use my skywards miles. I was smirked at and told - see manager. I went to said manager who told me yes there was availability and to go back and speak to the female I spoke to & tell her I wish to use my miles to upgrade. Went back and guess what - sorry, fully booked. They do the same with my husband and my friends. Its impossible to use your miles to upgrade. I used to love Emirates but they are nothing in comparison to BA or Virgin. Customer service is the worst I've ever experienced. <em>edited by MissyChief on 28/06/2012</em>

This reminds me of a thread a couple of years ago where a poster was leaving Dubai. She asked EWers if they'd donate their Skywards miles to her so she could upgrade for free and enjoy a bigger baggage allowance :) ETA It didn't [i'>remind[/i'> me of a previous thread, I thought about a previous thread whilst reading this one. <em>edited by Sanddy_Dogg on 28/06/2012</em>

I'm trying to upgrade for honeymoon, and the system keeps telling me that 'no upgrades currently are available. Try nearer the time'. EK seem to make actually redeeming your airmiles for an upgrade as difficult as possible. :( Absolutely agree they are making it as difficult as possible! Grrr

I had an experience with this recently. They told me that there are less seats allocated for miles upgrades than there are for points purchases. Peak times like Dec/jan, jul/ aug you have to get in way, way in advance to lock it it. When my mum came in jan, I couldn't get her a business upgrade back after she had come here in business, after many phone calls and visits to emirates in jumeirah I was finally able to upgrade her at checkin using our family's household points as apparently they release all the remaining business class seats for all upgrades se hours before the flight (to allocate to frequent flyers etc) They still gave me a hard time though and said I should have called Skywards not Emirates, but it did seem to be true about the release of seats. They can also let you know how many empty business seats there are on the plane so you know if you have a chance. The last thing was that they were really reluctant to actually do the deed at the airport because my husband, who is the account holder was not physically there, but it worked out in the end. What a saga !

I'm trying to upgrade for honeymoon, and the system keeps telling me that 'no upgrades currently are available. Try nearer the time'. EK seem to make actually redeeming your airmiles for an upgrade as difficult as possible. :(

Good luck with this. I've tried several times to upgrade to Business Class, both online and at the check-in desk, and Emirates always find an excuse not to. They want money for the seat, not air miles. I'm currently sitting with thousands of air miles, which I'm unable to use, and after 3 years, Emirates wipe them off your account. my exact experience over the last 4 years. VERY frustrating!

aeh Fidget you can book tickets with your miles I always do this with Emirates. Just lock in your miles account and start requesting flights from there (not upgrades) works perfectly well.

Good luck with this. I've tried several times to upgrade to Business Class, both online and at the check-in desk, and Emirates always find an excuse not to. They want money for the seat, not air miles. I'm currently sitting with thousands of air miles, which I'm unable to use, and after 3 years, Emirates wipe them off your account.