Originally Posted by
navatwal
Still kind of confusing, I see that O Class is a classic rewards (use miles to book). if I see offer available on a one-way ticket and ability to upgrade to next class with Miles, is that also O class?
How and when do you find saver level class availability and why would this only be of use for upgrading a saver level ticket usually a few days before departure?
The (understandable) confusion here is that 'O' bucket is used for two purposes:
1. The most common one is a commercial, cash Business Saver fare. It is the lowest cost fare that still gets chauffeur drive, lounge access and seat selection (the cheapest fare is 'Special' which books into 'H' bucket). Saver is upgradeable with cask or miles, but miles upgrades are only available at check in or on board. Check in starts at T-48 hours, so you don't have to be physically at a check in desk. Obviously you will need more miles to upgrade than from a Flex or a Flex+ fare. 'Special' fares are not upgradeable with miles (but I guess they are upgradeable with cash, not sure).
2. The other one is a Flex Business award. If you try to book a classic award (which, as mentioned earlier books in 'D' bucket) and it is not available, you will be offered a flex award in 'O' bucket (at considerably more miles, I have no experience at how many, but I have heard it is double the amount for 'D').
If you want to check 'D' bucket availability, there is a workaround as a classic award books into the same bucket (D) as an upgrade. So you look for classic award availability (there is a 'switch' for that on the booking page). Make sure that you search for a return trip award, as there is no such ting as a one-way classic award. Just put in a random date for the return flight and only look at what is presented as miles required for the outbound. If that number of miles equals what you find in the mileage calculator (under 'Loyalty' on the website), it is 'bingo'!
Hope this clarifies things a bit!