Originally Posted by
RunRun
If I can see value in spending an extra £800 on the ticket because this time it happens to be more expensive but other times it might be cheaper, and also in the long run it is going to help with potential future upgrades etc, then I will do it.
Cannot see how spending the extra money now will help in upgrades in the future. Upgrades are generally only on the airline of your ffp. Cross airlines are not that common/successful. AA/BA/IB have a cross airline upgrade system, but useless for most people as requires a very expensive base economy fare.
Upgrades are never guaranteed
Originally Posted by
RunRun
Flying business class obviously gives lounge access so I am wondering if by sticking to Oneworld for example, their FFP and Avios setup is good for claiming long haul business class tickets?
Long haul business award tickets are always very hard to get.
Nominally all airlines ffp in an alliance have the same access to wards, but in practice does not always work that way. At peak times, like Christmas/New Year & Easter, extremely hard tending to impossible to get. Even when booking 355/330 days out.
Keep your £800 for another trip