Want to upgrade using Avios, but what do I book?

bylromarha

Am looking to do another tour of Asia in summer 2014.

We did the last one on Airmiles.

However, as that boat has sailed, we're thinking of using actual money to buy seats and using the mountains of Avios to upgrade to business. :D:D

However, what type of ticket do I need to buy to do this? Is it just BA I look at? Do I buy early as possible or do I need to check there is an Avios upgrade available before purchase?

Thanks

Caz3121

to upgrade to business you need to buy a premium economy ticket PLUS there needs to be availability in the business redemption class (eg as if you were booking a full miles ticket in business)

depending on the route you may have to be very flexible with dates, or take a gamble that you end up flying in the premium economy seat you have booked if no availability appears.
Redemption seats are released 11 months out and can be snapped up pretty quickly

bylromarha

Caz3121 wrote: »

to upgrade to business you need to buy a premium economy ticket PLUS there needs to be availability in the business redemption class (eg as if you were booking a full miles ticket in business)

depending on the route you may have to be very flexible with dates, or take a gamble that you end up flying in the premium economy seat you have booked if no availability appears.
Redemption seats are released 11 months out and can be snapped up pretty quickly

Does it have to be a flexible PE ticket, or the cheapest available?

jpsartre

Every PE ticket is upgradable, even the cheapest ones.

budgetflyer

Checking flights to Mumbai for Easter, the PE seat was £30 more expensive than CW. Crazy pricing.

dickydonkin

Lack of availability on redeeming Avios with BA is a frequent topic on BAEC flyertalk forum. As mentioned earlier, you should consider not fixing dates and flexibility is the key on improving your chances.

I managed to upgrade using avios from WT+ to club world for flights from NCL-LHR-LAX return costing just over £1,000 - the same fights buying club world seats outright cost around £2,500.

So it is worth being patient and checking availability regularly.

Doshwaster

It depends on how desperate you are to fly business class. Upgrade availability at booking time is often very limited on each route but it helps if you can be very flexible with routes and dates.

If you cannot get an Avios upgrade at booking time then just keep checking especially in the week before flying as they often open up upgrades in the last few days.

Failing that they you'll just have to keep your fingers crossed for a free upgrade at the airport

budgetflyer

WT+ is pretty good on its own compared to economy imo, as long as you aren't paying mad money for it. £250 extra rtn is my max.
If you can get an avios upgrade, fab. For my yearly trip to India thats CW rtn for a grand. Amazing value

bylromarha

Okay - been doing some research and prices seem to be cheaper if I fly out of a non UK airport.

Can I still upgrade the long haul flight using Avios, even if my flight doesn't originate in the UK?

Doshwaster

bylromarha wrote: »

Okay - been doing some research and prices seem to be cheaper if I fly out of a non UK airport.

Can I still upgrade the long haul flight using Avios, even if my flight doesn't originate in the UK?

It is possible but, as above, it will depend on the availability of upgrades.

It may be worth giving BA a call. I've found in the past that their operators are very good at sniffing out available upgrades if you give them some flexibility on dates and routes. They sorted out a trip to India for me which involved stopping an extra night and flying back from a different airport - but I still got a Club World return for around £800 + 25,000 miles/avios.