Complimentary business upgrade for part of a journey

[symkx]

Hi everyone,

I know very well complimentary business upgrade happens rarely, but just want to check if my situation will add anything to the odds or not.

My wife and I are travelling from Sydney to Milan in 2 weeks. Flights are booked as Qantas classic reward, but operated by Emirates (SYD->DXB & then DXB->MXP)
Due to limited availability, I booked the 2nd leg (DXB-MXP) of our journey in business (reward), but first leg (SYD-DXB) in economy.
My question is, is there any room for me to ask for an upgrade for the first leg to business considering my 2nd leg is already business class? Obviously SYD-DXB is a longer leg and would be much more enjoyable in a business class, specially on a A380-800

Thanks in advance

 

[mannej]

As always, expect to fly in the cabin purchased, anything else is a bonus.

 

[Quickstatus]

Additionally are both you and your wife travelling together. Both have J for the second sector?. What if only one person gets an upgrade for the first sector?

EK tends to only upgrade (if available) revenue paying passengers. The more you pay for your ticket the more chance you got.

As you are flying EK, it is not possible to request a points upgrade of a Qantas Classic Award ticket - need to be flying a QF operated flight for that to be possible.

 

[symkx]

Additionally are both you and your wife travelling together. Both have J for the second sector?. What if only one person gets an upgrade for the first sector?

EK tends to only upgrade (if available) revenue paying passengers. The more you pay for your ticket the more chance you got.

As you are flying EK, it is not possible to request a points upgrade of a Qantas Classic Award ticket - need to be flying a QF operated flight for that to be possible.

Yes, we're travelling together and both have J for the second sector.
Well I guess ideally we want both of us to get upgraded for the first sector, but wouldn't say no if it get offered only to one of us either. (Have fun, wife!)

Thanks for the clarification about how EK consider upgrades, so do you think we should actually try our chance and ask?

 

[Quickstatus]

Never wrong to ask.
Better to expect none and then get surprised.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi everyone,

I know very well complimentary business upgrade happens rarely, but just want to check if my situation will add anything to the odds or not.

My wife and I are travelling from Sydney to Milan in 2 weeks. Flights are booked as Qantas classic reward, but operated by Emirates (SYD->DXB & then DXB->MXP)
Due to limited availability, I booked the 2nd leg (DXB-MXP) of our journey in business (reward), but first leg (SYD-DXB) in economy.
My question is, is there any room for me to ask for an upgrade for the first leg to business considering my 2nd leg is already business class? Obviously SYD-DXB is a longer leg and would be much more enjoyable in a business class, specially on a A380-800

Thanks in advance

I'd monitor the flights and see if a business class award opens up right the way through. It will cost you 5000 points change fee, plus any difference in points. You could also check out of other cities such as MEL or BNE, with the connecting flight to those cities already included for no extra charge in the overall points.

 

[Vic]

As I read the OP, you've got classic awards. I'm pretty sure those are not eligible for upgrade requests. How were you planning to ask for an upgrade?
At check in? I think the chance of an upgrade will be less than zero, but at least the check in person will get a laugh.
Beforehand by ringing up? I think they'll be happy to upgrade, if there is availability and you pay the extra points. But that's not complimentry

 

[mannej]

As I read the OP, you've got classic awards. I'm pretty sure those are not eligible for upgrade requests. How were you planning to ask for an upgrade?
At check in? I think the chance of an upgrade will be less than zero, but at least the check in person will get a laugh.
Beforehand by ringing up? I think they'll be happy to upgrade, if there is availability and you pay the extra points. But that's not complimentry

You are able to upgrade classic awards on QF metal, but as you be OP is flying EK it is moot.

 

[Flying_man]

You will embarrass yourself if you request this upgrade at check-in

 

[harvyk]

Ask, the worst that they will do is say "no sorry, we can't do that". (which is likely)
As for embarrassment you're probably not the first to have asked that day, and you'll probably never see that check in person again in your life (and if you did ever meet again it's unlikely you'd even realise it)

 

[Flying_man]

Ask, the worst that they will do is say "no sorry, we can't do that". (which is likely)
As for embarrassment you're probably not the first to have asked that day, and you'll probably never see that check in person again in your life (and if you did ever meet again it's unlikely you'd even realise it)

Maybe depend on your personality type if you feel embarrassed or not. Personally I will feel embarrassed as check-in staff may discuss me in the lunchroom later and laugh with colleagues.