Pay-as-you-go upgrades with Emirates: you save money, but pay attention to the details

Emirates is one of the most "desired" airlines by travelers from all over the world, including Italians. As explained by the company in an interview with us, there are many Italians who travel aboard planes to Dubai (and New York) every year.

Italy is also a very important market for Skywards, or the loyalty program of the Dubai-based company. I recently published a guide that explains, in detail, how to book a ticket using points, How to make a class upgrade using points or by paying cash through the site.

However, I realized that I left out a very important aspect regarding upgrades, specifically those made as a result of an offer in the vicinity of the flight by the company.

How do I know whether it is convenient or not

I for professional distortion, When I book, I always mark up the price of the upper class, so that I could remember what the difference was between the purchased ticket and the other booths.

For example in this case, the offer I received from Emirates was to upgrade from economy to business on the fifth-freedom flight between Singapore and Phnom Penh, a route that EK has added in the past few months and which is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting, is operated with the 777/300 set up in 3 classes, and the ticket prices are "fixed."

Flying less than 2 hours between the tip of the Malaysian peninsula and the capital of Cambodia costs about 100€ in economy, price which is absolutely competitive with the many Asian low-costs and considerably cheaper than Singapore Airlines. Not at all cheap, on the other hand, are the premium cabins with business costing about €590 and First about €1900. Crazy prices for both the duration and the in-flight service which is obviously not that of an intercontinental flight.

The offer that ho received to switch from economy to business was SGD 262, or about 180€. On balance between my ticket and the upgrade I would have spent less than half the price shown for the same flight bought directly in J.

Not all upgrades are the same

Depending on the type of upgrade that is made you will, or will not, get the benefits provided by the new type of ticket. This means that you may not necessarily be treated the same as a passenger who took a traditional ticket instead.

What you don't get if you take advantage of an upgrade offer with Emirates

As I always say one should always read the fine print and not be lured by the price. For example, the first thing I thought of when I received the email was the possibility of reviewing the EK lounge at Changi, but then I remembered that access with this upgrade was not a given, as unfortunately I do not have access to lounges away from Dubai with my Silver status.

No lounge, no priority, no extra baggage

Upgrades purchased with this offer do not entitle them to lounge access at the airport nor to private car service with chauffeur. Priority check-in, priority baggage delivery, and baggage allowance will remain those of the original class. Finally Skywards Miles will be awarded according to the original ticket fare.

All passengers must upgrade

The upgrade purchase is not allowed for individual passengers on the same reservation. All passengers on the reservation must purchase the upgrade. The upgrade offer is not refundable or transferable and is valid only for the previously mentioned flight number, sector and date.

Offer for single leg only

If you have an Emirates connecting flight, you will remain in the class of travel you originally booked. This means that if you fly from Milan to Bangkok, the offer is only valid on one of the two routes, not on both unless clearly stated.

In conclusion

With this mini-guide, I hope to help those who are planning to upgrade with Emirates in understanding the differences and disclaimers that will occur with this type of ticket.

• skywards