Getting an upgrade?

Lstuff

Has anyone had any experience of getting a free airline upgrade?

I've got some flights booked next month to Australia, in economy with Emirates. I've no problem travelling economy and have never even thought about upgrading before, but since we booked my wife has been taken ill with an acute back problem.

Her GP has said it might be an idea for us to upgrade so she will be more comfortable and can lie down and sleep if she needs to.

It's a nice idea, but sadly we aren't on GP salaries so there's no way we can afford any kind of upgrade!

I was thinking of writing to Emirates very nicely with a note from the GP - anyone think it would work?

We'd be able to manage ok in economy, but she'd be much more comfortable and would avoid any further damage if she could lie down for a while.

Any advice appreciated.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

The last time i got an uprgrade for free i got there really within the last possible minutes to check in and they upgraded me as they oversell the economy flights quite often. This may work or it may not.

Lstuff

Thanks for the info. We've got an e-ticket and already have seats booked so we'll be checking in online, so I guess that might not work.

Though I was thinking along the lines that they may oversell the flight - I checked online and some of the flights we have booked have already sold out of economy seats - they might be keen for the extra space.

I don't think I've much to lose by asking anyway.

malkie76

Writing a letter to an airline with a doctors note is more likely to get you refused travel rather than an upgrade, so it's not advisable.

To get an upgrade you need to pay, it's genuinely as simple as that. Airlines don't upgrade unless they need to, and when they do the order is the highest tier of they FF programme, followed by the lower tiers, followed by airline-partner status holders, followed by full-fare ticket holders, followed by non-status programme members, followed by discounted fare holders (ie you). Given the current economic climate the economy cabin can be full of status holders who used to fly business.

In other words, it's really not going to happen, and I'd be prepared to accept that.

I don't know about Emirate, but with other airlines you can pay extra for a exit-row seat giving you a little extra space to stretch out. Other advice is to join their FF programme so that you are 'known' by the airline when you turn up at the airport.

Alan_Bowen

Emirates and Singapore Airlines have strict policies of not offering upgrades except where overbooking leaves them with no choice and then the first passengers to be upgraded are those who fly the most and have the highest status in their frequest flyer programmes. If you want Business Class, and its not that great on some Emriates planes, although it is on the A380, you really will have to pay for it. Sorry

richardw

Insert hand into wallet, retrieve credit card, call emirates, give card details - sorted.

Lstuff

Ok, fair enough. I knew it would be a long shot. I wouldn't want to risk being refused travel so I'll leave it.

I've pre-booked our seats anyway and we have some good seats - generally a row of 2 seats on their own towards the rear of the 777 aircraft and some exit row seats on the A380 flights.

I've heard the economy seats on Emirates are pretty generous space-wise anyway, and the service is usually top notch, so we should be fine.

Thanks for the advice.

Lstuff

richardw wrote: »

Insert hand into wallet, retrieve credit card, call emirates, give card details - sorted.

Well, yes that would be the easy solution. Though I don't have a credit card, nor the spare cash for an upgrade.

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips of getting 'summat for nowt' - I'm a Yorkshireman you see!

richardw

Perhaps stay over longer in Dubai to have a bit of a rest.

Lstuff

richardw wrote: »

Perhaps stay over longer in Dubai to have a bit of a rest.

Yes, this could be another option, thanks.

We currently have 3 hours in Dubai each way - I understand there are some nice lounges you can pay to use with shower facilities etc., so I'll look into all the options.

Chester85

Emirates are pretty hard to get upgrades with if you've not got the right credentials.

I've had people with me get upgrades but I'm a Gold Skywards Status member through work travel so that's probably affected it.

They generally don't do cash upgrades either preferring you to use the Skyward points.

Perhaps you could go for a cheaper option of asking for a bulkhead or emergency exit seat? (prob Bulkhead if your wife has a medical problem) Then she could sort of stretch out slightly, at least in a better pitch than the other economy seats