DC to London with AAdvantage Status & Companion
Jul 8, 2022, 11:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 14
DC to London with AAdvantage Status & Companion
Hi, there.
- Looking to travel from Washington DC to Heathrow in September.
- I have Platinum status with American.
- I will be traveling with one companion who does not have status with American.
- The flights from DC (either BWI or IAD) are on British Airways (direct).
- Would it be best to book through American or directly with British Airways (in terms of gaining miles / loyalty points and potential upgrades).
- If I book through American, what's the best possible route to a possible upgrade knowing that it's actually a British Airways flight?
- After booking, can I use American miles to upgrade both of us on British Airways?
Jul 8, 2022, 1:11 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,574
If you are dead-set on taking one of the nonstops on BA from IAD or BWI then practically speaking there is no way to upgrade. Technically speaking you can upgrade a BA flight with AA miles however you must purchase full fare Premium Economy (assuming you want to upgrade to business) which will be very very expensive. You can usually just buy discount business for cheaper.
If you are open to flying on AA metal and connecting, then you can upgrade from discount economy to business for 25k AA miles + $350 per person, each way. From the DC area you would have lots of one-stop connection options to LHR via BOS, JFK, PHL, CLT, RDU just to name a few.
If you are open to flying on AA metal and connecting, then you can upgrade from discount economy to business for 25k AA miles + $350 per person, each way. From the DC area you would have lots of one-stop connection options to LHR via BOS, JFK, PHL, CLT, RDU just to name a few.