Jul 28, 2015, 12:06 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Mileage and copayment upgrades on American Airlines
As of May 20, 2017 upgrade prioritization is:
Enjoy a higher cabin of service Link.
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service* and are valid for a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments. Upgrades are subject to capacity controls. Excluding award tickets, the following eligible fare types can be upgraded:
*E.g. Economy to Business, Business to three class First. At this time Premium Economy is treated as Economy for upgrade purposes.
See the chart here for cost in miles and dollars.
NOTE: The most expensive fare classes, full fare Economy Y, full fare Premium Economy W, and full fare Business J, may be upgraded without copay and at a lower cost in miles. See here.
Taxes and carrier-imposed fees:
Co-payment is non-refundable and inclusive of U.S. excise tax where applicable.
Mileage upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin (includes higher U.K. Air Passenger Duty If Flight originates in the UK or is a connecting flight with a connection time of 24:00 or more)..)
NOTE:
Miles and copay upgrades are to the next available cabin of service, are based on inventory being available, usable on AA marketed and operated flights (not codeshares operated by other airlines, not on other airlines' prime flights - BA and IB allow miles upgrades with AA miles but are very different and therefore not treated here).
See AA Participating Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd), and note “one class of service” means Y to PE, PE to J, J to F where available on BA.
If the required inventory exists, they can be booked positively (i.e. upgraded immediately); if not, the request is wait listed. Wait list clearance is by status (EXP highest, no status lowest), and within status priority is by rolling 12 month EQD spend. Elites can have one traveling companion on the same PNR "borrow" their status for upgrade wait list purposes, until the request goes to the airport list, where you may want to assure your travel companion continues to hold your “borrowed” status for upgrade purposes.
Copays are waived for CK on all flights.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ:
Q. It says the upgrade fees are nonrefundable. Do I lose my miles and money if I'm not upgraded?
If your upgrade request does not go through, miles and copay are in fact refunded.
Q. If I am waitlisted, in what priority order are upgrades processed?
Upgrades are processed first by AAdvantage status tier, secondarily by type of upgrade, thirdly by the previous rolling 12 month EQD spend.
Q. Which has higher priority if all other preceding factors are the same? An upgraded with miles + copay, or an upgraded with SWU?
They have equal priority. A few reports state copay + upgrade have been given priority at some overseas stations.
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. What happens to my booked seat whilst I'm waitlisted? If my upgrade doesn't come through, do I lose my reserved seat?
You normally retain your booked seat until (if) your upgrade comes through.
Q. How many flights can I upgrade with a single miles plus copay upgrade?
You may (assuming available inventory) upgrade up to three segments on the same ticketed itinerary (e.g. LHR-ORD-MIA-EZE, as long as they are on the same PNR).
Q. Can I look at AAnytime or MileSAAver award space to determine upgrade availability?
No. MileSAAver availability may be a good indication upgrade space may become available, but SAAver and upgrade inventories are separate.
Q. What fare inventory do I need to upgrade?
You need available "C" inventory to upgrade to two class domestic First and three class Business, "A" to three class First. These are not shown on aa.com, but some services (e.g. ExpertFlyer) do show them. The only way to reliably search for upgrade space on Expertflyer or other services is segment by segment. The reason for this is that by rule if C is available on the stand alone segment then the upgrade is allowed.
Q. I'm Executive Platinum. If I purchase an upgrade for someone without status, will they "borrow" my status for upgrade purposes?
They will if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Which miles earning and fare conditions will apply to my upgraded flights?
You will earn miles (award miles -- RDM -- and EQM) and EQ Dollars credit as determined by your originally purchased fare, and the applicable fare rules will also be determined by your originally purchased fare.
Older posts can be read in ARCHIVE: FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (consolidated)
As of May 20, 2017 upgrade prioritization is:
- Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
- Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Executive Platinum
- Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- Elite qualifying dollars* in the past 12 months
- Booking class (in order, J, D, I, W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O, T)
- Time of request
- Booking class (in order, J, D, I, W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O, T)
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- Concierge Key
Enjoy a higher cabin of service Link.
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service* and are valid for a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments. Upgrades are subject to capacity controls. Excluding award tickets, the following eligible fare types can be upgraded:
- Discount Economy with published fares booked in H,K,M,L,W,V,G,Q,N,O,S and
- Military or Government fares booked in Y
- Full-Fare Economy with published fares booked in Y
- Discount Premium Economy with published fares booked in P
- Full-Fare Premium Economy with published fares booked in W
- Discount Business with published fares booked in I
- Full-Fare Business with published fares booked in J, D or R
- Basic Economy fares booked in B are not upgradable
- Full-Fare Business with published fares booked in J, D or R
- Discount Business with published fares booked in I
- Full-Fare Premium Economy with published fares booked in W
- Discount Premium Economy with published fares booked in P
- Full-Fare Economy with published fares booked in Y
- Military or Government fares booked in Y
*E.g. Economy to Business, Business to three class First. At this time Premium Economy is treated as Economy for upgrade purposes.
See the chart here for cost in miles and dollars.
NOTE: The most expensive fare classes, full fare Economy Y, full fare Premium Economy W, and full fare Business J, may be upgraded without copay and at a lower cost in miles. See here.
Taxes and carrier-imposed fees:
Co-payment is non-refundable and inclusive of U.S. excise tax where applicable.
Mileage upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin (includes higher U.K. Air Passenger Duty If Flight originates in the UK or is a connecting flight with a connection time of 24:00 or more)..)
- Upgrading from Economy Class to Business Class or First Class may result in additional premium cabin taxes and carrier-imposed fees, including but not limited to flights originating in Great Britain and France.
- If the ticket is priced in USD, the additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees will be converted to USD at the time of ticketing.
- Please contact American Airlines Reservations to obtain applicable taxes and carrier-imposed fees for specific itineraries.
- If the ticket is priced in USD, the additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees will be converted to USD at the time of ticketing.
NOTE:
Miles and copay upgrades are to the next available cabin of service, are based on inventory being available, usable on AA marketed and operated flights (not codeshares operated by other airlines, not on other airlines' prime flights - BA and IB allow miles upgrades with AA miles but are very different and therefore not treated here).
See AA Participating Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd), and note “one class of service” means Y to PE, PE to J, J to F where available on BA.
If the required inventory exists, they can be booked positively (i.e. upgraded immediately); if not, the request is wait listed. Wait list clearance is by status (EXP highest, no status lowest), and within status priority is by rolling 12 month EQD spend. Elites can have one traveling companion on the same PNR "borrow" their status for upgrade wait list purposes, until the request goes to the airport list, where you may want to assure your travel companion continues to hold your “borrowed” status for upgrade purposes.
Copays are waived for CK on all flights.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ:
Q. It says the upgrade fees are nonrefundable. Do I lose my miles and money if I'm not upgraded?
If your upgrade request does not go through, miles and copay are in fact refunded.
Q. If I am waitlisted, in what priority order are upgrades processed?
Upgrades are processed first by AAdvantage status tier, secondarily by type of upgrade, thirdly by the previous rolling 12 month EQD spend.
Q. Which has higher priority if all other preceding factors are the same? An upgraded with miles + copay, or an upgraded with SWU?
They have equal priority. A few reports state copay + upgrade have been given priority at some overseas stations.
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. What happens to my booked seat whilst I'm waitlisted? If my upgrade doesn't come through, do I lose my reserved seat?
You normally retain your booked seat until (if) your upgrade comes through.
Q. How many flights can I upgrade with a single miles plus copay upgrade?
You may (assuming available inventory) upgrade up to three segments on the same ticketed itinerary (e.g. LHR-ORD-MIA-EZE, as long as they are on the same PNR).
Q. Can I look at AAnytime or MileSAAver award space to determine upgrade availability?
No. MileSAAver availability may be a good indication upgrade space may become available, but SAAver and upgrade inventories are separate.
Q. What fare inventory do I need to upgrade?
You need available "C" inventory to upgrade to two class domestic First and three class Business, "A" to three class First. These are not shown on aa.com, but some services (e.g. ExpertFlyer) do show them. The only way to reliably search for upgrade space on Expertflyer or other services is segment by segment. The reason for this is that by rule if C is available on the stand alone segment then the upgrade is allowed.
Q. I'm Executive Platinum. If I purchase an upgrade for someone without status, will they "borrow" my status for upgrade purposes?
They will if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Which miles earning and fare conditions will apply to my upgraded flights?
You will earn miles (award miles -- RDM -- and EQM) and EQ Dollars credit as determined by your originally purchased fare, and the applicable fare rules will also be determined by your originally purchased fare.
Older posts can be read in ARCHIVE: FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (consolidated)
FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (master thread)
Mar 18, 2019, 8:16 am
#631
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
If you don't want to do it, pay someone. Or just complain on forums and don't book anything.
Mar 18, 2019, 8:23 am
#632
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 53
Ya, again they are not flying to FRA they need Berlin and I did the basic search and I got a ton of BA flights.
Mar 18, 2019, 9:36 am
#635
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I don't know much about intra-germany flights but I'm guessing that getting from Frankfurt to Berlin is relatively cheap and easy.
You only need to avoid BA for the transatlatic leg to save the ridiculous surcharges (again, that has nothing to do with AA -- it's all BA. And if you think they are bad, VS is worse). BA flights from LHR or LGW to a destination in europe don't have the surcharges (but, again, fake business class product)
AA is not my favorite airline and I'm usually the first one to blame them for stuff, but ridiculous carrier surcharges on another airline are not their fault. Fly AA (or a different partner, just not BA) across the ocean to avoid them.
Also, despite common complaints around here, I don't find AA metal saver business availability TATL that hard to find. You do need flexible dates though, especially if you also want to avoid economy on the domestic legs (as I do). Departure city might be important here, due to married segment rules. Leaving from SFO seems easy though, even routing SFO-JFK-Europe or SFO-LAX-JFK-Europe (getting a real business class product transcon). Saver F is another story; that just seems to not exist across the ocean.
You only need to avoid BA for the transatlatic leg to save the ridiculous surcharges (again, that has nothing to do with AA -- it's all BA. And if you think they are bad, VS is worse). BA flights from LHR or LGW to a destination in europe don't have the surcharges (but, again, fake business class product)
AA is not my favorite airline and I'm usually the first one to blame them for stuff, but ridiculous carrier surcharges on another airline are not their fault. Fly AA (or a different partner, just not BA) across the ocean to avoid them.
Also, despite common complaints around here, I don't find AA metal saver business availability TATL that hard to find. You do need flexible dates though, especially if you also want to avoid economy on the domestic legs (as I do). Departure city might be important here, due to married segment rules. Leaving from SFO seems easy though, even routing SFO-JFK-Europe or SFO-LAX-JFK-Europe (getting a real business class product transcon). Saver F is another story; that just seems to not exist across the ocean.
Mar 18, 2019, 10:48 am
#638
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
1. If you are looking for next April, it's too early to book. You can only book 331 days in advance.
2. If Berlin is your desired destination, Finnair is probably your best option, since it would be one stop from SFO/LAX (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL-BER). SFO-HEL is seasonal, however, so if you're looking for early April, LAX might be your only option. It's hard to say definitively, since Finnair has not yet published its SFO-HEL schedule for 2020 (this year SFO-HEL begins on 10 April).
3. As you've probably figured out by now, using BA for the trans-atlantic flight will result in massively high fees. Unfortunately, BA is also the most readily available option. On AA's website, when doing an advanced search, you can specify AA only. Of course, BER is not serviced by AA, so I would search SFO/LAX-LHR, and then after you've found a date that works, search for the BA flight to Berlin.
4. The above search strategy won't work for other partners, like Finnair and Iberia. But AA's search function does allow you to filter results for nonstop flights. So I would search specifically for the nonstop flight (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL, SFO/LAX-MAD, etc.) and then the European feeder flight (i.e., HEL/MAD-BER). You can also try searching using other gateways (e.g., JFK/ORD-HEL/MAD), and search for the AA feeder flight separately.
5. As someone else has mentioned, flexibility and persistence are the keys here. I've always been able to use my miles successfully and avoid BA. But that has meant maybe shifting my dates around a little bit, or adding extra connections. I've also spent many hours searching and refining and monitoring award availability space (ExpertFlyer is good for monitoring, and a subscription might be worth it). If you don't feel like you have the time, it might be worth looking into using an award booking service.
6. BA gets a lot of hate here (and as I said, I've never used them on an award). But BA could make sense in certain situations. First, BA is readily available, so if your dates are not flexible, they might make sense. Second, BA serves a ton of destinations in Europe, so if you want to minimize connections, BA is a good option. Finally, your original thought was to buy a ticket and upgrade using AA miles. Assuming there is upgrade space and you're not purchasing a full-fare ticket, that option roundtrip would have cost you per person 50,000 miles + $700 + cost of an economy ticket. Depending on how much you value AA miles (both the extra miles for the award, and the miles given up by booking an award instead of a revenue ticket), a BA award may not be that more expensive than the upgrade option (and likely easier to find).
2. If Berlin is your desired destination, Finnair is probably your best option, since it would be one stop from SFO/LAX (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL-BER). SFO-HEL is seasonal, however, so if you're looking for early April, LAX might be your only option. It's hard to say definitively, since Finnair has not yet published its SFO-HEL schedule for 2020 (this year SFO-HEL begins on 10 April).
3. As you've probably figured out by now, using BA for the trans-atlantic flight will result in massively high fees. Unfortunately, BA is also the most readily available option. On AA's website, when doing an advanced search, you can specify AA only. Of course, BER is not serviced by AA, so I would search SFO/LAX-LHR, and then after you've found a date that works, search for the BA flight to Berlin.
4. The above search strategy won't work for other partners, like Finnair and Iberia. But AA's search function does allow you to filter results for nonstop flights. So I would search specifically for the nonstop flight (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL, SFO/LAX-MAD, etc.) and then the European feeder flight (i.e., HEL/MAD-BER). You can also try searching using other gateways (e.g., JFK/ORD-HEL/MAD), and search for the AA feeder flight separately.
5. As someone else has mentioned, flexibility and persistence are the keys here. I've always been able to use my miles successfully and avoid BA. But that has meant maybe shifting my dates around a little bit, or adding extra connections. I've also spent many hours searching and refining and monitoring award availability space (ExpertFlyer is good for monitoring, and a subscription might be worth it). If you don't feel like you have the time, it might be worth looking into using an award booking service.
6. BA gets a lot of hate here (and as I said, I've never used them on an award). But BA could make sense in certain situations. First, BA is readily available, so if your dates are not flexible, they might make sense. Second, BA serves a ton of destinations in Europe, so if you want to minimize connections, BA is a good option. Finally, your original thought was to buy a ticket and upgrade using AA miles. Assuming there is upgrade space and you're not purchasing a full-fare ticket, that option roundtrip would have cost you per person 50,000 miles + $700 + cost of an economy ticket. Depending on how much you value AA miles (both the extra miles for the award, and the miles given up by booking an award instead of a revenue ticket), a BA award may not be that more expensive than the upgrade option (and likely easier to find).
Mar 18, 2019, 11:15 am
#639
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 53
1. If you are looking for next April, it's too early to book. You can only book 331 days in advance.
2. If Berlin is your desired destination, Finnair is probably your best option, since it would be one stop from SFO/LAX (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL-BER). SFO-HEL is seasonal, however, so if you're looking for early April, LAX might be your only option. It's hard to say definitively, since Finnair has not yet published its SFO-HEL schedule for 2020 (this year SFO-HEL begins on 10 April).
3. As you've probably figured out by now, using BA for the trans-atlantic flight will result in massively high fees. Unfortunately, BA is also the most readily available option. On AA's website, when doing an advanced search, you can specify AA only. Of course, BER is not serviced by AA, so I would search SFO/LAX-LHR, and then after you've found a date that works, search for the BA flight to Berlin.
4. The above search strategy won't work for other partners, like Finnair and Iberia. But AA's search function does allow you to filter results for nonstop flights. So I would search specifically for the nonstop flight (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL, SFO/LAX-MAD, etc.) and then the European feeder flight (i.e., HEL/MAD-BER). You can also try searching using other gateways (e.g., JFK/ORD-HEL/MAD), and search for the AA feeder flight separately.
5. As someone else has mentioned, flexibility and persistence are the keys here. I've always been able to use my miles successfully and avoid BA. But that has meant maybe shifting my dates around a little bit, or adding extra connections. I've also spent many hours searching and refining and monitoring award availability space (ExpertFlyer is good for monitoring, and a subscription might be worth it). If you don't feel like you have the time, it might be worth looking into using an award booking service.
6. BA gets a lot of hate here (and as I said, I've never used them on an award). But BA could make sense in certain situations. First, BA is readily available, so if your dates are not flexible, they might make sense. Second, BA serves a ton of destinations in Europe, so if you want to minimize connections, BA is a good option. Finally, your original thought was to buy a ticket and upgrade using AA miles. Assuming there is upgrade space and you're not purchasing a full-fare ticket, that option roundtrip would have cost you per person 50,000 miles + $700 + cost of an economy ticket. Depending on how much you value AA miles (both the extra miles for the award, and the miles given up by booking an award instead of a revenue ticket), a BA award may not be that more expensive than the upgrade option (and likely easier to find).
2. If Berlin is your desired destination, Finnair is probably your best option, since it would be one stop from SFO/LAX (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL-BER). SFO-HEL is seasonal, however, so if you're looking for early April, LAX might be your only option. It's hard to say definitively, since Finnair has not yet published its SFO-HEL schedule for 2020 (this year SFO-HEL begins on 10 April).
3. As you've probably figured out by now, using BA for the trans-atlantic flight will result in massively high fees. Unfortunately, BA is also the most readily available option. On AA's website, when doing an advanced search, you can specify AA only. Of course, BER is not serviced by AA, so I would search SFO/LAX-LHR, and then after you've found a date that works, search for the BA flight to Berlin.
4. The above search strategy won't work for other partners, like Finnair and Iberia. But AA's search function does allow you to filter results for nonstop flights. So I would search specifically for the nonstop flight (i.e., SFO/LAX-HEL, SFO/LAX-MAD, etc.) and then the European feeder flight (i.e., HEL/MAD-BER). You can also try searching using other gateways (e.g., JFK/ORD-HEL/MAD), and search for the AA feeder flight separately.
5. As someone else has mentioned, flexibility and persistence are the keys here. I've always been able to use my miles successfully and avoid BA. But that has meant maybe shifting my dates around a little bit, or adding extra connections. I've also spent many hours searching and refining and monitoring award availability space (ExpertFlyer is good for monitoring, and a subscription might be worth it). If you don't feel like you have the time, it might be worth looking into using an award booking service.
6. BA gets a lot of hate here (and as I said, I've never used them on an award). But BA could make sense in certain situations. First, BA is readily available, so if your dates are not flexible, they might make sense. Second, BA serves a ton of destinations in Europe, so if you want to minimize connections, BA is a good option. Finally, your original thought was to buy a ticket and upgrade using AA miles. Assuming there is upgrade space and you're not purchasing a full-fare ticket, that option roundtrip would have cost you per person 50,000 miles + $700 + cost of an economy ticket. Depending on how much you value AA miles (both the extra miles for the award, and the miles given up by booking an award instead of a revenue ticket), a BA award may not be that more expensive than the upgrade option (and likely easier to find).
Mar 18, 2019, 1:06 pm
#640
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,990
It took me under a minute to find SFO-LAX-LHR-FRA, (all in business, first for SFO-LAX), or SFO-JFK-LHR-FRA (all in business) for 57.5k miles + $105.20 in fees. AA until LHR, then BA (admittedly, fake business product) LHR-FRA. If you don't like that, you can route through CLT and fly AA all the way (eg, SFO-PHL-CLT-FRA, avoiding BA fake business class)
Availability seem pretty wide open, even for 2 passengers, at least at the beginning of April. I didn't look at other times..
Availability seem pretty wide open, even for 2 passengers, at least at the beginning of April. I didn't look at other times..
Great Circle Mapper
Mar 18, 2019, 3:45 pm
#641
Join Date: May 2017
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HH Gold, National Exec
Posts: 41
I agree with the above poster, have them take the train from FRA to Berlin if they can get cheaper or better flights in to FRA. The train is easy to use, nice and clean and you get a great view of the countryside. Plus if you get a first class ticket you can sit next to the food car and order beer. I just returned from a week and half in Germany and all we used was the train. Flew into FRA and immediately got on the train and left(spent zero time in Frankfurt other than the airport) and took the train back to FRA on the morning we left.
Oh, and we cleared 3 mileage upgrades(myself, wife, and daughter) for the return trip. Actually they cleared about 3 or 4 days before we departed DFW for FRA.
Oh, and we cleared 3 mileage upgrades(myself, wife, and daughter) for the return trip. Actually they cleared about 3 or 4 days before we departed DFW for FRA.
Mar 18, 2019, 7:06 pm
#642
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
Thanks, this helps a lot. Im thinking this is not for me and I don’t have the time. I’m going to tell my parents to fly BA. They can pay the fee, they did well in life and can afford the cost. Plus, it’s less complicated for them and I won’t be getting a ton of text messages or calls from them trying to explain things.
Maybe the 2-side is okay though, and if your parents are older and not good at navigating travel, I'd definitely fly them into TXL.
Mar 18, 2019, 7:37 pm
#643
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 53
And as the poster above said, it's really no different from buying economy and upgrading. $700 in copays + 50,000 miles + ~$1000 for an economy ticket -- just for the chance at upgrading, versus redeeming 115,000 miles and perhaps $1000 roundtrip for a confirmed business seat seems pretty near even to me, with the caveat that BA's business class is pretty feeble compared to AA's 1-2-1 layout... OP, if you haven't looked into BA's Club World product, you better do your research!
Maybe the 2-side is okay though, and if your parents are older and not good at navigating travel, I'd definitely fly them into TXL.
Maybe the 2-side is okay though, and if your parents are older and not good at navigating travel, I'd definitely fly them into TXL.
Mar 18, 2019, 8:07 pm
#644
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I know that BA is upgrading their business class. Only problem is that it all the planes won’t be done until 2023. But, going to Frankfurt is not an option. They are meeting a group in Berlin for a tour of Germany. If it was me, it would be no problem I can get around by train and have before when I lived in Europe.
Mar 18, 2019, 9:02 pm
#645
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,449
My Co-Pay + miles upgrade happened yesterday PHL-DUB. for 2, I find it interesting that DInner and Breakfast is served on this late departure 955PM which means Dinner wont be served until 1045pm and it's a 6hr and 30 minute flight.Then breakfast.. I wish PHL had a Flagship lounge would make it easy to eat.