getting upgrades

shazfrance

Anyone have any experience of getting much cheaper upgrades to business class on long haul flights? What is the best way/ strategy to do it without costing a fortune? Thanks

richardw

Have a browse of https://www.flyertalk.com lots of info there.

malkie76

Best way with BA is buying a WTP ticket in a sale and using Avios to upgrade. Almost Avios neutral as you earn Avios on the base fare.

Cheapest way to pay cash is to start outside the UK and use a UK carrier. For example there are currently excellent long haul fares in business ex-Dublin using BA.

[edit]

A number of airlines also offer cheaper upgrades at the airport to business. You are not guaranteed however which makes it a risky strategy.

Caz3121

malkie76 wrote: »

For example there are currently excellent long haul fares in business ex-Dublin using BA.

agreed. I have booked to LA in the summer. Even factoring travel and accommodation for Dublin, I am spending less the get CW seats than going on the same flights from London in economy
A friend was looking at flights to Orlando and the business class seats were coming up cheaper than economy for the same flights

SW17

shazfrance wrote: »

Anyone have any experience of getting much cheaper upgrades to business class on long haul flights? What is the best way/ strategy to do it without costing a fortune? Thanks

Do you have a particular airline, destination and/or travel period in mind, or is it a general question?

shazfrance

Thanks for the info. We want to go to New Zealand in October.

SW17

If you really want to fly business class, the only way is to book it. Relying on upgrades is risky, especially if the airline you book has premium economy and you book economy. If paying for Business is out of budget, have a think about premium economy.

Try searching on Google Flights or http://matrix.itasoftware.com to see what lower priced options are available for your route and dates in business class.

On BA, as mentioned above you may get cheaper biz fares by starting your journey in Dublin or some Scandinavian cities, though the really cheap fares referred to above are for N America and not valid in October.

Doshwaster

malkie76 wrote: »

Best way with BA is buying a WTP ticket in a sale and using Avios to upgrade. Almost Avios neutral as you earn Avios on the base fare.

That's what I do. I go to SE Asia each year and I can usually get a WTP return in a sale to BKK or HKG for around £900-1000. Availability of Avios upgrades aren't guaranteed at the time of booking but extra seats often open up a few days before departure. Failing that you then have to cross your fingers for a free upgrade if you have elite status. On the last 4 return WTP flights I have booked I have only flown in the cabin once.

If you have never flown on the airline before and have no status with their alliance then your odds of a free upgrade are the square root of zero. If there was a really easy way of getting business class seats cheaply then don't you think everyone would be doing it?