- Can SWUs only be applied to full fare tickets on BA?
- How do I explain to the AA rep on the phone how to correctly search for BA flights with SWU upgrade availability?
I called three different times yesterday and spoke to three different reps: two on the UK EXP line, and one on the US EXP line. All three EXP line reps said that SWUs can only be applied to full fare tickets on BA. I mentioned that I thought that was true for mileage awards, but not for SWUs. No dice. In the end, I was in a rush, so I just agreed to upfare to full fare W, so I could apply an SWU and fly in J.
Was I stupid for upfaring to full-fare W to get the upgrade? I see on
AA’s website about SWUs that I can “Enjoy a confirmed upgrade from most Business fares to First, from Premium Economy to Business, or from Economy to Premium Economy when flying transatlantic on British Airways” and that “Upgrades are only valid on individual published-fare tickets”. But this doesn’t say anything about which fare classes are eligible?
As for availability, the first two reps said they didn’t see availability to apply an SWU on any BA flight that day, despite aa.com showing inventory available for J awards at saver mileage levels on multiple BA operated flights that day. The third rep found it, and upgraded me. So how do I explain to them what to look for next time?
I'm glad to be able to use SWUs on BA, but my goodness what a long and confusing process it was
