Originally Posted by
GordonS3
I'm booked on WT from LHR to BOM, and planned on using miles to upgrade to WT+ after booking (company travel agent booked it).
When I phoned Exec Club Silver number I was told my fare was booked in selling class 'N', which is non-upgradable. So yet again my avios keep building up as it's never possible to use them (300K and counting!)
Upgrading from WT to WT+ requires that you have a WT ticket in fare classes Y, B or H (read flexible and expensive). For that reason WT to WT+ (and ET to CE) upgrades using avios are not good value - a WT+ (or CE) ticket can often be purchased for less than the cost of the flexible WT (ET) ticket.
All WT+ and CW fares can be upgraded to the next cabin (with the exception of some sale fares). WT+ to CW is the best bargain as it requires only half the standard redemption amount to upgrade a sector.
If you have a work policy that books you into lowest cost WT (and you don't need flexible tickets) then upgrades to WT+ are not going to be possible. In that case I would use the avios for leisure travel either short-haul (as reward saver is very good value) or for long-haul holidays if you can book WT+ and upgrade to CW.