EL AL Matmid - Upgrade to F from award ticket?

Ive just booked a business class ticket LHR-TLV using AA miles. As has been previously discussed, it is not possible to book first class using AA miles (even though there is P class available on this flight).

So is it possible to upgrade to First?

I saw on the website that there are onboard upgrades - $700 for LHR-TLV business to first. Is this possible on an award ticket? How does one go about this? Do you ask as you enter the plane or do you go to your original seat first?

Is there any way to upgrade in advance? What about at check-in at LHR - Could / would they sell an upgrade on an award ticket?

Thanks v. much!

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If upgrades are available for sale on your flight then yes, no problem paying for one on a award ticket but the question is why would you? Are you familiar with LY's First? It most definitely is not worth a $700 premium over C on a 4 hour flight.

Incidently could you not have used your AA miles to book BA?

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If upgrades are available for sale on your flight then yes, no problem paying for one on a award ticket but the question is why would you? Are you familiar with LY's First? It most definitely is not worth a $700 premium over C on a 4 hour flight.

Incidently could you not have used your AA miles to book BA?

I have never flown LY First and wanted to try it. Is it really not worth $700? Presumably food, wine, service are a big improvement (although I understand the first seats arent that great). This is an overnight flight so more attentive service would also allow for more sleep time.

So is upgrade onboard my only option or is it possible to upgrade an award ticket at check-in?

Agree on BA - I almost always fly BA First to TLV but alas it was not available this time (I am flying BA F on the return).

I think that BA CW Is better than El Al First. That's my personal opinion though. So, I would never pay $700 upgrade for El Al First. I'd save your $700 for something else - like upgrade your hotel room while here.

I have never flown LY First and wanted to try it. Is it really not worth $700? Presumably food, wine, service are a big improvementYes, food and service will be a big improvement but you said youself that It's a night flight and you plan to sleep, so service really isn't that important in this case.

I'm all for trying out new products , but if you've ever followed any of the many "is First worth it" or "should I upgrade to First one way?" type threads (mainly on the BA forum) you'll see that the consensus is upgrade the day flight to enjoy the experience as its kind of lost on a night flight.

I've sat in LY's First cabin many times, but always on a C booking (when they open the F cabin with Business service) and always been underwhelmed.
I would never pay for it.

As BizFlyin said, BA's hard product in CW is better than LY's First.