Finnair Plus - AY+ upgrade certificates

Hi,

So are there upgrade certificates paper ones or electronic ones? nothing came in my welcome packet...

also are they personal or can I use them for someone else?


Thanks for any insight :)

Hi,

So are there upgrade certificates paper ones or electronic ones? nothing came in my welcome packet...

also are they personal or can I use them for someone else?


Thanks for any insight :)

They are electronic. Somewhere in the Finnair Plus web site they still mention paper vouchers. This is wrong.

You can see your vouchers on your points page, it is the fourth tab after points, points to expire and expired points. You can use them to upgrade other people. Which is nice.

They are electronic. Somewhere in the Finnair Plus web site they still mention paper vouchers. This is wrong.

You can see your vouchers on your points page, it is the fourth tab after points, points to expire and expired points. You can use them to upgrade other people. Which is nice.

thanks for the info, will make sure I use them, I assume they are one way upgrades :)

thanks for the info, will make sure I use them, I assume they are one way upgrades :)

Yes, they are one-way, and they are one-leg. (a longhaul flight with connection in HEL requires 2 europe-vouchers and 2 longhaul-vouchers to be upgraded on all 4 legs)

I was wondering since the certificates can be used for a 2/1 classic award ticket is the gold certs limited to europe 2/1 or vsn it ne used for any destination? Any knowledge?

I was wondering since the certificates can be used for a 2/1 classic award ticket is the gold certs limited to europe 2/1 or vsn it ne used for any destination? Any knowledge?

I don't have the personal knowledge of this, but my understanding of the rule is that the "4 vouchers converted to a 2for1" is not limited to Europe. It is limited by availability though (as the first ticket must be redeemed for points only)

Can the 2 for 1 award be business class or only economy?

Can the 2 for 1 award be business class or only economy?

It's for coach only which makes it really, really unattractive offer...very few people who need to fly a lot (to have FF status to begin with) want to fly in coach for leisure (at least I don't know anyone personally who would..)...but hey, that's why it's called Finnair Minus to many! ;)

Also, coach tickets are so cheap anyway (especially on most, if not all, flights where you would find award availability in the first place) so even 241 deal with taxes isn't really good use of points (IMHO).

It's for coach only which makes it really, really unattractive offer...
...


Ouch, I didn't know this and their site doesn't even mention this limitation. From reading the tier benefits, it clearly looks like any "classic" bonus-ticket can be turned into a 2for1.

So this is a limitation on top of the fact that the redeemable seats are only available in a very limited amount and there will be added YQ et.al....

Really, really, really , really , really , really unattractive :td:

Ouch, I didn't know this and their site doesn't even mention this limitation. From reading the tier benefits, it clearly looks like any "classic" bonus-ticket can be turned into a 2for1.

So this is a limitation on top of the fact that the redeemable seats are only available in a very limited amount and there will be added YQ et.al....

Really, really, really , really , really , really unattractive :td:

Finnair.com says so in finnish...that's where picked this from.."Gold tier benefits" -section.

Finnair.com says so in finnish...that's where picked this from.."Gold tier benefits" -section.

Also missed the mention of coach...

Looks like ill just give the upgrades to my mom and fly SK instead :)

Finnair.com says so in finnish...that's where picked this from.."Gold tier benefits" -section.

Well, it doesn't state that in swedish or in english, not even on finnair.fi
As Swedish still is official language in Finland, one could claim that the text stated in swedish still is "legally binding" or whatever, probably without any luck. Not fun to be a part of the finish minority population these days, I guess.

The option to exchange your four European travel class upgrades for a one-way long-haul upgrade or a two-for-the-price-of-one Classic award flight.*

*=With a two-for-one Classic award, you can purchase award flights for two people but pay the point cost of an award flight for one person. Two-for-one Classic awards are only available for scheduled one-way and return flights operated by Finnair and must be purchased using points only. Finnair Plus Junior flight awards cannot be purchased as two-for-one Classic awards.

No mention of limitation of class of service.

"Classic" award..what is that?

"Classic" award..what is that?

Classic awardis 100% points as far as I understand.

In defence of AY (who would have thought I'd write this sentence :)) the calculation probably goes like this

4 s/h upg is 40k points

1 classic s/h award is also 40k points

So the value of an upg voucher is 10k points, which you can use as the above options.

Clearly stating things is not a forte of AY+, we all know that :td:

In defence of AY (who would have thought I'd write this sentence :)) the calculation probably goes like this

4 s/h upg is 40k points

1 classic s/h award is also 40k points

So the value of an upg voucher is 10k points, which you can use as the above options.

Clearly stating things is not a forte of AY+, we all know that :td:

Not really as you can use these for the 2 for 1 on bkk route too so value jumps to 150k then :)

Not really as you can use these for the 2 for 1 on bkk route too so value jumps to 150k then :)

Yeah, I got all confused what is allowed and what's not. L/h 2-4-1 is allowed, but only in Y.

Actually 2-4-1 in l/h Y is not bad propostion at all - not something I'd personnally would much like to do, but taking into account that much of my redemptions are for family and friends, it's OK. Call me cheap, but I'd happily put juniors or junior+junior's partner into Y - even though they might have been spoilt by travelling with dad, they are grateful for any ticket in Y they don't have to pay for :D

Call me cheap, but I'd happily put juniors or junior+junior's partner into Y - even though they might have been spoilt by travelling with dad, they are grateful for any ticket in Y they don't have to pay for :D

I wouldn't call you cheap and further I'll second you on that..you have to draw the line somewhere, don't you... ;)

On a different note: 4 s/h upgrades + 150k points + YQ + taxes is still a LOT for 2 rtn coach tickets to BKK...I would never ever do such redemption myself..much rather pay hard cash for the coach tickets (for junior(s)) and use vouchers and points more wisely...but that's just me..

I wouldn't call you cheap and further I'll second you on that..you have to draw the line somewhere, don't you... ;)

On a different note: 4 s/h upgrades + 150k points + YQ + taxes is still a LOT for 2 rtn coach tickets to BKK...I would never ever do such redemption myself..much rather pay hard cash for the coach tickets (for junior(s)) and use vouchers and points more wisely...but that's just me..

The kids mainly fly s/h - yes, I know not the best use, but especially as long as the younger one is <18 it's actually cheap (junior redemption)

I agree, that el cheapo revenue tix to Asia + upgrades are a much better use of cash and points/vouchers

According to AY the gold member has to be one of the travelers...

The yq+ tax on bkk route was about 200€ and no tax for second person so not too bad... But still 150k points...

According to AY the gold member has to be one of the travelers...

The yq+ tax on bkk route was about 200€ and no tax for second person so not too bad... But still 150k points...

In effect 75k/pax + 100€ per pax. Not bad at all. Especially given that a single s/h redemption is 44k + 100€ or so.

But yes - you need to have those 150k points. Nearly 2 years hoard for someone who just makes Gold every year.

The yq+ tax on bkk route was about 200€ and no tax for second person so not too bad... But still 150k points...

Did I understood right, you only paid taxes for one ticket, about 200e and second nothing? Where does it state that the second would not pay taxes?

I flew with my kids (17 and 22y) in feb to BKK and paid 3 x 250e = 750e taxes and 450.000 points.

[QUOTE=Laajo;18561738]Did I understood right, you only paid taxes for one ticket, about 200e and second nothing? Where does it state that the second would not pay taxes?

I flew with my kids (17 and 22y) in feb to BKK and paid 3 x 250e = 750e taxes and 450.000 points.[/QUOTE



When using the two for one offer only taxes for one ticket are charged according to AY

According to AY the gold member has to be one of the travelers...

The yq+ tax on bkk route was about 200€ and no tax for second person so not too bad... But still 150k points...

What about availability? Must there be two seats available in some special class for this to work, or can you search for a date where there is 1 seat avilable and then call AY?



In effect 75k/pax + 100€ per pax. Not bad at all. Especially given that a single s/h redemption is 44k + 100€ or so.

But yes - you need to have those 150k points. Nearly 2 years hoard for someone who just makes Gold every year.

Actually, 150k points + 200€ + 4 SH vouchers, right?

Alternate use:
Buy 2 el-cheapo tickets in Y, total 800€, use 4 SH vouchers and 165k points (3x 55k) and you have a 2-for-1 in business longhaul.

What about availability? Must there be two seats available in some special class for this to work, or can you search for a date where there is 1 seat avilable and then call AY?





Actually, 150k points + 200€ + 4 SH vouchers, right?

Alternate use:
Buy 2 el-cheapo tickets in Y, total 800€, use 4 SH vouchers and 165k points (3x 55k) and you have a 2-for-1 in business longhaul.


Taxes only for one ticket so 100€

Taxes only for one ticket so 100€

May I ask on what route? If I price out a GOT-NRT it will add €303 on a single ticket. A HEL-NRT adds 288€ of "taxes and fees"

May I ask on what route? If I price out a GOT-NRT it will add €303 on a single ticket. A HEL-NRT adds 288€ of "taxes and fees"

I was using the HEL-BKK example I used in the earlier post, but point was that only ONE set of taxes is charged on the two for one

I was using the HEL-BKK example I used in the earlier post, but point was that only ONE set of taxes is charged on the two for one

Sorry to be persistent, and maybe it is clear to anyone but me, but this still means a 2-for-1 HEL-BKK would cost you in total 148k points, 280€ and 4 SH vouchers, right?

Or how do you come up with 100€ in taxes?

Alternate use:
Buy 2 el-cheapo tickets in Y, total 800€, use 4 SH vouchers and 165k points (3x 55k) and you have a 2-for-1 in business longhaul.

Now this is how real FTers do it...coach awards on FT is a bit like cheering for the Swedish Ice Hockey Team in a bar in "Kontula, Helsinki" ;)

Now this is how real FTers do it...coach awards on FT is a bit like cheering for the Swedish Ice Hockey Team in a bar in "Kontula, Helsinki" ;)

:D Gårdsbacka do look like an ordinary swedish concrete suburb. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Kontulan_ostari.jpg/250px-Kontulan_ostari.jpg
OK, no cheering when we take you on in the semi finals then...:o

BTW the real FT way would be

Buy 4 el-cheapo tix for you and your beer-buddies
Change the buddies official address to your home address
Apply for AY+ cards for the buddies
Upgrade you own ticket with vouchers
Convince AY+ Service centre that these people are your family ("you are living an alternate lifestyle"), and use your plat status to upgrade them for 50k points


150 k points and 2 LH vouchers put to real good use!

BTW the real FT way would be

Buy 4 el-cheapo tix for you and your beer-buddies
Change the buddies official address to your home address
Apply for AY+ cards for the buddies
Upgrade you own ticket with vouchers
Convince AY+ Service centre that these people are your family ("you are living an alternate lifestyle"), and use your plat status to upgrade them for 50k points


150 k points and 2 LH vouchers put to real good use!

I like your imagination and practical creativity...

Sorry to be persistent, and maybe it is clear to anyone but me, but this still means a 2-for-1 HEL-BKK would cost you in total 148k points, 280€ and 4 SH vouchers, right?

Or how do you come up with 100€ in taxes?

This is what the finnair rep told me on the phone when I called to ask. I have not actually booked a AY- award so im going on their info

This is what the finnair rep told me on the phone when I called to ask. I have not actually booked a AY- award so im going on their info

Aha, that's good! ^


Maybe taxes/fees are calculated in a different way on 2-for-1 than on a normal award flight. When dummy booking one classic award flight on the site, the taxes comes down to 280EUR:
http://content.screencast.com/users/intuition/folders/Default/media/3e6f321c-91c4-4df4-a681-c5af447c7583/taxes.png

Aha, that's good! ^


Maybe taxes/fees are calculated in a different way on 2-for-1 than on a normal award flight. When dummy booking one classic award flight on the site, the taxes comes down to 280EUR:
http://content.screencast.com/users/intuition/folders/Default/media/3e6f321c-91c4-4df4-a681-c5af447c7583/taxes.png

Intresting as the whole point of my call was to see if it was worthwhile to transfer points into ay- to use this 2_4_1 offer but if taxes are inseed 280€ it propably isNOT worth it...

So far my AY experience has fallen short :)

Intresting as the whole point of my call was to see if it was worthwhile to transfer points into ay- to use this 2_4_1 offer but if taxes are inseed 280€ it propably isNOT worth it...

So far my AY experience has fallen short :)

As I have never booked an award you should not take me for an authoritative source of info! And there seem to be something strange with the booking engine on the site. If I look at the fare breakdown for those 280 EUR, the taxes/fees are just 17EUR...
http://content.screencast.com/users/intuition/folders/Default/media/627f0ff4-1b85-40b0-93c7-0cb9078f7a90/breakdown.png

Strange, huh?
Best cause of action would be to get an exact quote from service-centre, then decide if you want to transfer your points. And finally do the booking from service centre!

Really strange! There is something wrong again with AY IT-systems.

First of all term "taxes" is crap. There is no tax. 280€ includes passenger fee for VTBS and EFHK and 250€ for Finnair as fuel surcharge.

I'm one of those people who've already accepted the "fuel surcharges" as part of "taxes and fees", but I'm also rather confident, that if anywould would challenge the airlines to any court in Europe, the airlines wouldn't stand a chance to defend their case.

I just want to add a point of information regarding AY+ upgrade certificates. I have recently flown BUD-HEL-BKK, originally booked in O class and upgraded using points and a L/H u/g cert to F. I credited the segments to AA, because O class in the AAdvantage programme gives 100% miles. I feared that because the new booking class (F) was ineligible for mileage accural with AA, I could have issues with miles posting correctly. A bit to my surprise, miles posted automatically within 2 days reflecting the original class. Thumbs up to AY in this case for reporting the purchased class correctly to AA!

So it seems that if you plan to upgrade a flight on AY but want to credit to another FFP, you should not expect any problems with the miles posting.

I have 2pcs 2/28/13 expiring s/h AY+ upgrade certificates. Is it okay according to AY+ rules to give those away to one of you guys? If yes, I'm willing to do it as I'm not able to use those by myself this time.

According to the rules you can upgrade close relatives and people living in your household. So there is a limit on how you can give away upgrades. In practice though, AY may not question who is or is not your relative.

You do know that you can upgrade a trip that is far in the future, just as long as you request the upgrade before the vouchers expire?

According to the rules you can upgrade close relatives and people living in your household. So there is a limit on how you can give away upgrades. In practice though, AY may not question who is or is not your relative.

You do know that you can upgrade a trip that is far in the future, just as long as you request the upgrade before the vouchers expire?

Thanks for reminder intuition. I just don't have any s/h flights booked with AY metal right now...

According to the rules you can upgrade close relatives and people living in your household. So there is a limit on how you can give away upgrades. In practice though, AY may not question who is or is not your relative.


I have upgraded colleagues several times with vouchers, nobody has ever said a peep.

I have upgraded colleagues several times with vouchers, nobody has ever said a peep.

Same here..some 10 years ago it was much more strict but no questions anymore since 2005 or something..

Vouchers given for good so it worked! I hope I was able to make someone happy :)

Vouchers given for good so it worked! I hope I was able to make someone happy :)

+ karma for you!

Vouchers given for good so it worked! I hope I was able to make someone happy :)

Thank you again, Mrs Kauppias and I had a lovely flight with the entire front cabin to our self :)