Should I waste my time? - F redemption LAX-LHR
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: BA Blue, LY Matmid, Club Carlson Gold, Hilton Gold, CX Marco Polo
Posts: 158
Should I waste my time checking constantly? - F redemption LAX-LHR
Hi all
I know it's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question but I hoped to call on collective wisdom of FT.
I did try and do a search but to get specific enough, the search function excludes most of the words as they are "too common"!
I have an Avios booking made with a 2-4-1 in early May flying LHR-LAS and LAX-LHR. I managed to bag First on the LHR-LAS (this will be our first First - thank you FT!). Despite booking on the release date, I could only get J on the LAX-LHR leg. The key question - Should I waste my time constantly checking for availability to upgrade my ticket to F?
Since May I have been checking every couple of days to see if F availability opened up but alas no luck. I should mention that a friend checked the numbers on our flight and F cabin is still almost totally unsold (i.e. 9+ available).
I am wondering if, on that route and with your experience, you would suggest not bothering and just being happy with Club? Does F redemption availability ever open up on LAX-LHR (we need 2 tickets)? If so, is there a pattern to it?
Of course, I am not turning my nose up at F one way and J return (on the A380) but F both ways would make it even more special - it's a big anniversary trip!
On a related, but very separate, note (sorry for hijacking my own post! ) - since we fly out of LHR T3, there shall be no CCR experience for us . I have heard that the new CX First lounge in T3 is worth checking out - any other tips for maximising a first First out of T3 specifically??
Thanks in advance!
I know it's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question but I hoped to call on collective wisdom of FT.
I did try and do a search but to get specific enough, the search function excludes most of the words as they are "too common"!
I have an Avios booking made with a 2-4-1 in early May flying LHR-LAS and LAX-LHR. I managed to bag First on the LHR-LAS (this will be our first First - thank you FT!). Despite booking on the release date, I could only get J on the LAX-LHR leg. The key question - Should I waste my time constantly checking for availability to upgrade my ticket to F?
Since May I have been checking every couple of days to see if F availability opened up but alas no luck. I should mention that a friend checked the numbers on our flight and F cabin is still almost totally unsold (i.e. 9+ available).
I am wondering if, on that route and with your experience, you would suggest not bothering and just being happy with Club? Does F redemption availability ever open up on LAX-LHR (we need 2 tickets)? If so, is there a pattern to it?
Of course, I am not turning my nose up at F one way and J return (on the A380) but F both ways would make it even more special - it's a big anniversary trip!
On a related, but very separate, note (sorry for hijacking my own post! ) - since we fly out of LHR T3, there shall be no CCR experience for us . I have heard that the new CX First lounge in T3 is worth checking out - any other tips for maximising a first First out of T3 specifically??
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by A406toHeathrow; Feb 20, 2017 at 8:44 am Reason: Grammar and additional point re. loads
#2
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 561
Leaving aside the issue of availability and opportunity cost of Avios, I'd say definitely yes.
My own 2p is that a JFK-LHR o/n leg in J is not worth upgrading but LAX-LHR definitely is, every time. If it's a special trip, all the more reason IMO. Good luck.
My own 2p is that a JFK-LHR o/n leg in J is not worth upgrading but LAX-LHR definitely is, every time. If it's a special trip, all the more reason IMO. Good luck.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,251
My opinion... absolutely take F when on a 2-4-1. The tiny uplift of 30,000 (?) for both of you to come home in F on A380 is a no brainer, even on overnight.
It's a decent length to appreciate dinner, sleep & breakfast
There's loads more space than J - and you can then compare the two (747 out vs 380 home) !
I don't think there's too much chance of two seats coming up on your date, but if it does don't hesitate !
It's a decent length to appreciate dinner, sleep & breakfast
There's loads more space than J - and you can then compare the two (747 out vs 380 home) !
I don't think there's too much chance of two seats coming up on your date, but if it does don't hesitate !
Last edited by mikeyfly; Feb 20, 2017 at 8:47 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: BA Blue, LY Matmid, Club Carlson Gold, Hilton Gold, CX Marco Polo
Posts: 158
Thanks for the advice so far - I should note that my main question is whether availability ever opens up on LAX-LHR. I am definitely not questioning if I should bother if it does!
On a humorous aside, I had originally entitled this thread "Will I ever get lucky on F LAX-LHR?" and then realised before I submitted that it might attract some very different responses. I had visions of tawdry experiences being retold a la @PUCCI GALORE - hmmm on second thoughts maybe I missed a trick not leaving the original title intact
On a humorous aside, I had originally entitled this thread "Will I ever get lucky on F LAX-LHR?" and then realised before I submitted that it might attract some very different responses. I had visions of tawdry experiences being retold a la @PUCCI GALORE - hmmm on second thoughts maybe I missed a trick not leaving the original title intact
#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: 63,766
Yes, availability does open up, at any random time between now and departure, but it is a tough route to get it, there are some full price First passengers on that sector! Just check every morning, the release is just after midnight GMT. Best period is 2 or 3 days before departure.....
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 308
You might consider other departure points from the west coast. Don't rule out PHX, SJC, SAN or SFO for example. I managed a 241 in first out to SJC and back from PHX for October in the last couple of weeks just by looking every day. Remember there's a change fee of Ł35 too but well worth it
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Calgary
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 771
I am finding quite a discrepancy between what Expert Flyer finds and what is available doing an actual search on BA. EF shows "no availability" yet there is when performing a manual search on BA ( Looking at YYC-LHR Business Class Award/Upgrade). Thus doing a Seat Alert on EF may not pick up the availability.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
I am finding quite a discrepancy between what Expert Flyer finds and what is available doing an actual search on BA. EF shows "no availability" yet there is when performing a manual search on BA ( Looking at YYC-LHR Business Class Award/Upgrade). Thus doing a Seat Alert on EF may not pick up the availability.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Calgary
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 771
#14
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 124
Slightly back-to-basics question here but can you actually upgrade a single leg of a 2-4-1 using Avios?
When I tried it, the website said you can't upgrade a redemption flight using Avios.
I guess you have to get the call centre to do it?
Is there then no fee, given that it can't be done online?
When I tried it, the website said you can't upgrade a redemption flight using Avios.
I guess you have to get the call centre to do it?
Is there then no fee, given that it can't be done online?