Upgrade on Kuoni honeymoon flights (Emirates)

KateySW

Hello everyone,

I'm sure this has been done before but I can't find another thread specific to this, so here we go...

I'm getting married in November this year (now less than 6 months to go! It's creeping up on me) and we've booked our honeymoon for right after. We booked the honeymoon with Kuoni - we don't usually book through a travel agent but this felt like a special enough occasion to warrant it. Plus they did give us quite a bit of champers, such a cunning ploy...

Anyway, we're flying out with Emirates and at the time we didn't want to get business/first class flights. We wanted to be a bit careful with the wedding budget until we had a better idea closer to the time of what we'd have leftover for something that isn't essential... But the closer we get to the wedding date, we're thinking we might have some room left in the budget.

I contacted Kuoni and they said it would be an extra £4750 to upgrade us for just our outbound flight alone :eek: which made me gulp a bit! They've since suggested that I contact Emirates directly to ask them if there's anything they can do as A) it's a honeymoon so special occasion and because I'm an Emirates Skywards member and fly with them relatively often (my dad, an Emirates platinum card holder, lives in Dubai) and they seem to think that'll give my request some clout.

Now, I'm just curious... Has this actually worked for anyone at all? Does anyone have any advice on how to approach it? I don't want to be that person on the phone trying to plead for a free upgrade or anything, but I guess it is for my honeymoon (not just a random holiday) and if it works? I always thought they'd really clamped down and didn't really do it anymore... Also, wouldn't Kuoni have done something if it were possible and are they just trying to fob me off? And did I make an error booking my flights through Kuoni instead of directly with Emirates?

Thanks all!

IAmWales

You will be that person on the phone pleading for a freebie! It would be especially embarrassing if you mention your dad's status, who is nothing to do with your booking.

Can you upgrade with miles? Also Emirates do offer last minute upgrades at a lower cost where there is availability.

Blue264

KateySW wrote: »

I contacted Kuoni and they said it would be an extra £4750 to upgrade us for just our outbound flight alone :eek: which made me gulp a bit! They've since suggested that I contact Emirates directly to ask them if there's anything they can do as A) it's a honeymoon so special occasion and because I'm an Emirates Skywards member and fly with them relatively often (my dad, an Emirates platinum card holder, lives in Dubai) and they seem to think that'll give my request some clout.

Is the honeymoon to Dubai or further on? What level are you on Skywards?

Your dad being a platinum member does have clout, but it's not something the agency can get involved with. Please make sure Kuoni have put your membership number into your booking, then ask your dad to email the dedicated Emirates customer services team for platinum members. All of this totally depends on the availability on the flights you've booked, but something is better than nothing and wondering "What if?"

Now, I'm just curious... Has this actually worked for anyone at all? It happens all the time and again, always depends upon availability on the flight you have booked.

I always thought they'd really clamped down and didn't really do it anymore...

Not at all. It's still one of the best sales strategies an airline has, and they tend to upgrade loyalty card holders and business clients. Once you've flown Business with Emirates, it's very difficult to go back to Economy.

Also, wouldn't Kuoni have done something if it were possible and are they just trying to fob me off?

Don't worry. They're not fobbing you off. The most they can do is put your Skywards number into the booking, because there's no way to manage complimentary upgrade requests. This is a service that is purely at the discretion of the airline and can be confirmed by them at any time up until take off.

The agent can manage a waitlist for Business class where the client will pay the difference, normally to a full fare Business class ticket, which is why the difference is so high.


And did I make an error booking my flights through Kuoni instead of directly with Emirates?
Not necessarily. You've paid for a service which they will provide. Kuoni aren't shoddy by any stretch of the imagination. Your upgrade request would have been handled the same if you'd booked directly with Emirates.

KateySW

IAmWales wrote: »

You will be that person on the phone pleading for a freebie! It would be especially embarrassing if you mention your dad's status, who is nothing to do with your booking.

Can you upgrade with miles? Also Emirates do offer last minute upgrades at a lower cost where there is availability.

Haha I definitely don't want to be that person, honest!! Kuoni seemed to think it was good idea to mention it (they asked me about it because I'd mentioned to them when we first booked that my dad lived out there and we always flew Emirates, hence their suggestion) but I thought it seemed a bit crude. I've upgraded with Emirates before but it had always been when I had the cheaper upgrade option. Honestly, that wasn't my idea so please everyone, don't be mean :rotfl: I was only curious if that actually worked!

Unfortunately I don't have nearly enough miles for what would be an upgrade for the both of us - would come to 65000 each!!! :eek:

Will definitely keep an eye out if they send an email for a cheaper upgrade option closer to the time though...

Blue264

KateySW wrote: »

(my dad, an Emirates platinum card holder, lives in Dubai) and they seem to think that'll give my request some clout.

Just going back to this, your dad could nominate you for Gold membership ...

Gold Partner nomination
We recognise that our frequent flyers like to share their privileges, so our Platinum members can nominate a spouse, partner, business colleague or friend for Gold membership. Your nominee must be an Emirates Skywards member and you can make only one nomination within your 12-month Platinum tier cycle. Once we’ve processed your nomination, you can change your nominee only after their review date. Please see our Gold Partner FAQs for more details. To nominate your Gold partner, visit the Benefits section of your account and enter the last name and membership number of your nominee.

https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/skywards/about/membership-tiers/membership-benefits.aspx

KateySW

Blue264 wrote: »

Is the honeymoon to Dubai or further on? What level are you on Skywards?

Your dad being a platinum member does have clout, but it's not something the agency can get involved with. Please make sure Kuoni have put your membership number into your booking, then ask your dad to email the dedicated Emirates customer services team for platinum members. All of this totally depends on the availability on the flights you've booked, but something is better than nothing and wondering "What if?"

Now, I'm just curious... Has this actually worked for anyone at all? It happens all the time and again, always depends upon availability on the flight you have booked.

I always thought they'd really clamped down and didn't really do it anymore...

Not at all. It's still one of the best sales strategies an airline has, and they tend to upgrade loyalty card holders and business clients. Once you've flown Business with Emirates, it's very difficult to go back to Economy.

Also, wouldn't Kuoni have done something if it were possible and are they just trying to fob me off?

Don't worry. They're not fobbing you off. The most they can do is put your Skywards number into the booking, because there's no way to manage complimentary upgrade requests. This is a service that is purely at the discretion of the airline and can be confirmed by them at any time up until take off.

The agent can manage a waitlist for Business class where the client will pay the difference, normally to a full fare Business class ticket, which is why the difference is so high.


And did I make an error booking my flights through Kuoni instead of directly with Emirates?
Not necessarily. You've paid for a service which they will provide. Kuoni aren't shoddy by any stretch of the imagination. Your upgrade request would have been handled the same if you'd booked directly with Emirates.

Thank you, that's all really helpful! I'm only a blue member now, used to be silver but got demoted not so long ago as I've only been out to Dubai a few times in the past couple of years (plus Emirates have reduced the number of miles you get per flight recently)

Honeymoon is in Mauritius but we're flying via Dubai. So quite a long journey really. Emirates business class is absolutely incredible - I've only been on twice but you're right, once you've experienced it it really spoils you :rotfl: great idea about emailing them though.

dawyldthing

I got upgraded from Brisbane to Auckland to business class as the flight was overbooked and a woman on the flight said she had paid £4500 return each for business class from London to Auckland so I'm quite surprised it's so much to Mauritius.

fifeken

As you booked through a travel agent, Emirates won't be able to touch your ticket until after the first leg has been flown. As such, contacting them for a paid upgrade won't get you anywhere.
The £4,750 quoted by Kuoni does seem OTT. Do a dummy booking on Emirates' website for your dates/route and you'll see what the current price difference is which should give you an idea.
Emirates Skywards status (yours or your dad's) only has minimal effect on your upgrade chances. They changed their rules recently so that upgrades are given on ticket type first. As you quoted 65,000 miles for an upgrade, I'm assuming that was one way and that you're on a Flex Ticket, so you're nearer the front of the queue than the back, but still the odds are poor as they generally only give upgrades if overbooked.

Your best bet IMO, is set yourself a budget, then ask at check in for a paid upgrade, or ask Dad if he's got miles to spare.

jpsartre

None of the airlines I'm familiar with have different upgrade prices for different levels of status. I can't imagine a family member's status would make the slightest bit of difference to the upgrade price.

Blue264

KateySW wrote: »

Honeymoon is in Mauritius but we're flying via Dubai. So quite a long journey really. Emirates business class is absolutely incredible - I've only been on twice but you're right, once you've experienced it it really spoils you :rotfl: great idea about emailing them though.

Oh lovely! Our niece flew to Mauritius on honeymoon last Thursday, but she's flying Aegean (from Athens) and Air Mauritius.

In this case, your best chance is asking your dad if he will email Emirates to ask the question. A request from him will definitely pack more punch than anything you can do, but either way...you're going to Mauritius! Have fun!