Originally Posted by
WannaTheater
I couldn't find a thread for this, as it covers a few areas. Looking at a flight next year from TPA-LGW. There is a nonstop AA flight, operated by BA, that is available for AA points.
Awards available: Main (30K+$237USD), Premium Economy (40K+$482USD), and Business (57.5K+732USD)
Cash prices are $470USD, $1143USD, and $2353USD.
I am wondering what the options are to pay cash for the ticket, and upgrade vs using a partner award.
Question for clarification:
1) I believe EXP complimentary upgrades are not an option?
2) If I book through BA (zero BA status, but OW Emerald), do I have any upgrade options? I am guessing no, but I've never booked through BA. (The only reason I would do this is to earn more AA points, or alternately Avios points which may be my next "currency").
3) I located a "SWU strategy" thread, which I need to read to determine if this is an appropriate avenue. If there is some way I could guarantee confirmation on booking, this would be great... unless I need to purchase the PE ticket to get to Business, which may be the case??
4) If booked through AA, I believe there is a points+cash upgrade option, which I call in to customer service for? Is this generally a good idea? Are these just one class upgrades?
5) I believe I can also wait for the app to offer an upgrade for cash price, which could be hit or miss. Are these just one-class upgrades?
What it boils down to is getting into business class the most economical way I can find. This may end up just redeeming a partner award, and paying the $732 fee, but still looking for experienced recommendations on if there is a better way.
1) you are correct
2)On BA marketed/operated flight, BA will allow you to upgrade a cash booking with avios. the availability is determined if there is award space in the cabin you want to book into. BE AWARE that BA classifies PE as a class for this purpose, therefore, you would need a PE cash booking to upgrade to J with Avios. in your scenario, given it seems J has award availability (deduced by the fact that it is bookable by a partner), you could pay for the PE ticket and immediately upgrade to J with Avios (dont remember ho many for PE to J, maybe 20k?)
3)AA lets you use a SWU on BA metal booked through AA. effectively, the same principle as my answer in #2 applies. PE to J, assuming award availability in J exist.
4)this is only available on AA metal. AA lets you use SWU or Points+cash to upgrade from Y to J. AA does not count PE as a class for purposes of instrument upgrade. This is not unlimited availability, and is normally not availabe until very close to departure (but sometimes in advance as well). you can be put on a waitlist for these if it is not available at the time of booking. if you do go on a waitlist, then number 5 below does not apply, as you wont get the offers while on an instrument waitlist.
5)this is also for AA metal only. I do not believe an AA booked/marketed flight on BA metal will offer in-app upgrades. if for some reason I'm wrong here and they do, and if it is like how it works for AA metal, you will be offered to buy up to either PE or J (or either) and it will be noticeable in the offer what class you will end up in.
Based on the prices that you listed, at first glance, i would say the PE cash fare plus avios to upgrade to J would be optimal.