transatlantic flights - when to book and upgrade costs

notanewuser

I don't often fly transatlantic. Looking for flights to specific place for specific dates (August). Last week economy seats were £950 each return (direct) and could upgrade to premium for £250 each. Prices now showing as £950 each but upgrade is now £750 each. :doh: (Also getting very different prices for 1 seat v 3 + 1 child).

Are either of the costs likely to reduce over the coming weeks or should I be looking to book ASAP??

richardw

Difficult to say, last week the flight sales were on and many people were waiting to be paid for January, this week it's all change. At peak times even slight flexibility can make a difference. Google flights can be very good, but put in the details for the whole party to get accurate total costs.

notanewuser

Have done that. Sooooooooo confused though. Cheaper to go through an online flight company than direct with BA. If I did that would we still be able to upgrade on BA's site if upgrade prices dropped?

richardw

Google flights often finds flights that aren't on BA.com but the itinerary may include a BA operated flight.
Demand is high in August, premium cabins may just sell out and there could be no availability to upgrade to.

jpsartre

notanewuser wrote: »

If I did that would we still be able to upgrade on BA's site if upgrade prices dropped?

You can but be aware that prices to upgrade after booking an economy ticket may have nothing to do with prices to upgrade before you've bought it.

Price difference between 1 vs 4 passengers is most likely due to limited seats being available in the cheapest fare class - the same booking cannot mix fare classes so everyone will pay whatever the highest fare class is that has the required number of passengers available.

notanewuser

I'm finding it all so frustrating. I have clubcard vouchers I could exchange for avios points but no idea whether it's worth doing it because I can't see what they'd be worth. Would rather keep them for other things if there's no upgrade deals.

Ditto applying for a credit card with avios bonus.

Is there any way to see availability etc?

If i book through a site other than BA could I still access the booking via the BA site?

jpsartre

You can check availability any time on BA's website, just do a dummy search for reward seats and if they are available they're available to upgrade into from the cabin class below. Be aware though that cheapest economy seats cannot be upgraded with Avios. Also, you might struggle to find 4 reward seats available on many longhaul flights (if that's what you're looking for). If you say what it is you're looking to book, people can give some advice as to whether or not it's realistic to upgrade using Avios.

My general rule of thumb would be that if you have a specific trip planned on specific dates, then you're probably better of not bothering collecting Avios. The more flexibility you have and the more you travel, the easier it is to use them.

richardw

Google flights is not a travel agent, it some times finds itineraries with BA flights that aren't bookable on BA.com but by calling BA, you may then be able to see the booking by logging in to BA.com but the flights might not be upgradeable.

notanewuser

It's London to Denver, 10th or possibly 9th Aug and returning 24th Aug. 3 adults, 1 child (aged 6)

jpsartre

If that's the only flight you can use your Avios on then I wouldn't even bother collecting them. Chances of 4 upgrades on the same flight are slim to none.

notanewuser

Okay. So looking at the cash upgrades, last week they were £250 each. Now £750. Are they likely to come back anywhere near £250 again or has that plane flown?

And if I booked via omega flight centre there's about £100 off each ticket. Does that restrict potential upgrade options though?