Originally Posted by
ArnoldB
In any case I now have the Y booking. According to expertflyer, only 3 of 36 C seats are taken. According to pointsyeah, there are 9+ award seats available. Yet, the upgrade option in the app is greyed out and via the homepage it says there is no availability. Exact same thing on the return flight. First I thought maybe it's because I forgot to add the QR FFP number, but now I added it and still nothing.
Can anyone explain? Do avios upgrades only become available 14 days out or something?
9+ award seats open in business never happens. That in itself is an indication that your source (pointsyeah) is wrong.
1. Before DoD: Avios upgrades require U availability and they can become available at any point, not just 14 days before the flight. There is no "rule" or silver bullet; your only option is to keep checking. (I check via the Dashboard page - the booking has an Upgrade button.) You will see any available upgrades using Avios or QCredits there. If it is available, then you can UG online right then and there.
2. DoD: you can use Avios to upgrade at the airport. This does not require U availability, but it does require seats and meals available. The cost is 50% more than if done online (so whatever the QCalculator says *1.5)