£49 Upgrade ex LGW?
Feb 20, 2017, 4:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,173
£49 Upgrade ex LGW?
I haven't flown BA out of Gatwick for many years - basically trying to avoid them... I recall the last time I did they still had the upgrade to CE for £49 or similar amount available at Check In.
I rather doubt it is still offered even less so at that amount - but was wondering if anyone could confirm if ex-LGW they still offered upgrades at Check In to CE - am flying to RAK at the weekend and dreading the idea of 4 hours in ET..
I rather doubt it is still offered even less so at that amount - but was wondering if anyone could confirm if ex-LGW they still offered upgrades at Check In to CE - am flying to RAK at the weekend and dreading the idea of 4 hours in ET..
Feb 20, 2017, 4:35 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
Airport upgrades are still available, but this thread suggests that the going rate is about £130 in the other direction.
You also get 80TP, so probably 60 or 70 extra, if that might help your status.
You also get 80TP, so probably 60 or 70 extra, if that might help your status.
Feb 20, 2017, 4:59 am
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,716
You can get AUPs at LGW in two locations. At the top corner of the check-in area in the corner, slightly hidden by a pillar. Also in the BA Lounge there is now a ticket desk in the reception on the left side. The landside desk has a picture in the LGW guide in the Dashboard. The airside desk is a new and welcome feature of the move to South since North didn't have this facility.
Feb 20, 2017, 5:00 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 576
Feb 20, 2017, 5:02 am
#8
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,716
And being first off in RAK could make quite a difference to queuing time upon arrival.
Feb 20, 2017, 5:07 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BAEC (although I might just cut up the card)
Posts: 338
IF you want to attain any status and it turned up for £49 I'd say the TP/Price ratio is not bad at all. But the days of such cheap upgrades are long gone.
I remember I used to be offered LHR-OTP upgrades for £59-£79 (mostly £64) a few years ago. Which was a very good deal I thought. Those days are long gone though.
As has already been said, upgrading to CE for the comfort, on an A319/A320 (and most A321s) isn't really worthwhile IMO. Seat and pitch is the same, with just a spacer in the middle seat.
I remember I used to be offered LHR-OTP upgrades for £59-£79 (mostly £64) a few years ago. Which was a very good deal I thought. Those days are long gone though.
As has already been said, upgrading to CE for the comfort, on an A319/A320 (and most A321s) isn't really worthwhile IMO. Seat and pitch is the same, with just a spacer in the middle seat.
Feb 20, 2017, 5:11 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom. Frequently at higher altitudes.
Programs: BAEC Gold and a few others
Posts: 103
There is also a Fast Track arrivals service in RAK nowadays. Probably better to book exit row, take a picnic and have the arrivals service.. I think it was around £30 from memory. There is a small lounge immediately when you enter the airport building, on your right. You'll sit there while officials check paperwork. Then you'll be taken straight to the front of the queues. Very handy if you land after a couple of other flights. Also if it helps, it's been more like 3hrs when I've done it. So some window watching, a film, a snack, and hey presto, you're landing already.
Feb 20, 2017, 5:24 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Peterborough, UK
Programs: BA Silver; IHG Spire; Avis P+; Global Entry
Posts: 1,505
but do remember, don't a lot of the LGW fleet still have the old seating, with slightly larger leg room and proper convertible seats to business, (the ones where the arm rests move into the middle).
On my last JER B2B the plane had these, or was it a one off
On my last JER B2B the plane had these, or was it a one off
Feb 20, 2017, 5:31 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,394
There is also a Fast Track arrivals service in RAK nowadays. Probably better to book exit row, take a picnic and have the arrivals service.. I think it was around £30 from memory. There is a small lounge immediately when you enter the airport building, on your right. You'll sit there while officials check paperwork. Then you'll be taken straight to the front of the queues. Very handy if you land after a couple of other flights. Also if it helps, it's been more like 3hrs when I've done it. So some window watching, a film, a snack, and hey presto, you're landing already.
A RAK trip is on my radar - and your info here is all new to me. But then again, I haven't been there before (only Casablanca many years ago). Your strategy sounds appealing if it really works as well as you describe. I generally prefer additional leg-room of ET exit row anyway and with status perks just don't see (hard cash) CE as providing real value on these sort of sectors.
Feb 20, 2017, 5:41 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom. Frequently at higher altitudes.
Programs: BAEC Gold and a few others
Posts: 103
No problem at all subject2load.
It does work well, just a case of sitting in the "lounge" for 5mins with a bottle water while they sort forms. Then it's straight to the front of the line. It beats queuing (can be an hour or so when it's really busy).
We use it for most of our clients flying in to Marrakech. Conversely, I don't see much value in the premium departure service given the low quality lounge offering which is not worth rushing to!
I really should do another TR that covers it..
It does work well, just a case of sitting in the "lounge" for 5mins with a bottle water while they sort forms. Then it's straight to the front of the line. It beats queuing (can be an hour or so when it's really busy).
We use it for most of our clients flying in to Marrakech. Conversely, I don't see much value in the premium departure service given the low quality lounge offering which is not worth rushing to!
I really should do another TR that covers it..
