Emirates upgrade Y to J using points - what are my chances?

[Bazzi]

I am colouring in our Europe/USA itinerary for next September and have booked all our outbound flights and now focusing on the return sectors which will be PAR DXB SIN SYD.

We have enough QFF points (thanks ANZ) for 2 travelling in J PAR DXB with QF charging $1150 in taxes but there is no availability for the direct day flight DXB SIN.

We have 200k+ Amex MR points. I can purchase PAR DXB/DXB SIN in Y with EK for $700 per person. I can't determine the fare class of the EK fare but at that price I am guessing it is heavily discounted economy. Looking at Skywards, a saver upgrade from Y to J for the both sectors is 67500 pts per person and I couldn't find any obvious restrictions. I had a look around the AFF boards for any reference to a saver fare being excluded from upgrades and found some conflicting (and dated) posts.

My thoughts are to book the Y fare, transfer points from MR to EK and then try for the upgrade. From what I can gather, unlike QF, if seats are available, the upgrade is automatically given - is that correct? Given it would be a multi sector ticket with a stopover, what would my chances of getting upgrades for both sectors?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[zainman]

Expert flyer can tell you if there are upgrades available or not..

 

[Pushka]

Are you booking through Qantas website? IME you can't request points upgrade on Emirates service.

 

[Bazzi]

Are you booking through Qantas website? IME you can't request points upgrade on Emirates service.

No. Through Skywards for the upgrade.

 

[scwappy]

Certain EK fares are now only upgradable at the time of checkin, others are upgradeable at purchase.

As someone earlier mentioned, you can actually see if there are seats available through expert flyer (or ask nicely in here and someone with a subscription will check for you).

If upgrades exist you just have to make sure you buy a seat which allows upgrades at the time of purchase

 

[Bazzi]

Certain EK fares are now only upgradable at the time of checkin, others are upgradeable at purchase.

As someone earlier mentioned, you can actually see if there are seats available through expert flyer (or ask nicely in here and someone with a subscription will check for you).

If upgrades exist you just have to make sure you buy a seat which allows upgrades at the time of purchase

My search for the multi sector itinerary doesn't show if the fare is upgradeable, unlike the single sector search.
I might just phone EK and ask about the multi sector eligibility and whether upgrades are available.
Many thanks

 

[evilbrian]

Bazzi - with EK it will only tell you when you try to book via their website if a fare is NOT upgradeable. If it makes no mention of not being upgradable, then it is by definition upgradeable if/when D bucket seats are/become available.

 

[Bazzi]

Bazzi - with EK it will only tell you when you try to book via their website if a fare is NOT upgradeable. If it makes no mention of not being upgradable, then it is by definition upgradeable if/when D bucket seats are/become available.

Many thanks for that. I did book DXB SIN in Y and there was no indicator whether the fare was or wasn't upgradeable. Currently there are no J seats available so will try closer to departure.
Interested in your opinion - I have put my QFF number against the reservation, if I changed this to my EK Skywards, do you (or any other affers) have any experience with being offered upgrades - points or paid - via email prior to departure?