alwaysquestions

I need to go to TYO at fairly short notice along with my son.

I've looked into ex EU WT+ fares but they are quite steep for the dates I'm looking at and so figure I might be able to use Avios instead. Unfortunately there is no availability at all. I can find some by routing to PEK or ICN but then getting to TYO is a bit tricky although doable.

I understand that a TA should be able to book into J without any visible availability but if I want to use Avios is that possible if there isn't ANY availability on the route? In short, I want two seats for LHR-TYO-LHR in J using a GUF2 and a 2-4-1 when there is no W or J availability. Is this possible or, as I suspect, I'll have to find the best ex-EU. I don't need the TP's and I'm fairly Avios rich at the moment so it would be a shame.

Really annoying timing as well as all the Qatar flights are gone!

Regards

AQ

KARFA

A TA can't do anything with your 2-4-1 or anything which involves avios.

There is some more information up thread on using a GUF with a TA, and also on this site aimed at trade support http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...d-card-upgrade

As you can see you can use a TA to book a revenue ticket and then get the TA to apply a GUF to get you in to the next cabin if seats are still available in specified selling classes.

alwaysquestions

Thanks KARFA

I didn't think I'd got the hang of it, now off to ITA to try a few other European departure points.

AQ

navylad

Quick question, sorry if already asked, can't spot it, if I have a booking made direct with BA OSL-LHR-SIN-SYD rtn where there is A availability on the LHR-SIN-SYD sectors, can I use a GUF1 to upgrade or would I of had to have Norway registered as my country on BAEC?

KARFA

You can use the GUF, no need to change your registered country to Norway.

Have you got a joker too? If not then A class is irrelevant, you need to check for normal reward availability.

navylad

VMTs (Very Many Thanks) I do have two jokers remaining, I should point out this is a cash not redemption booking, no idea if that makes a difference.

GinFizz

It doesn't make a difference whether it is a cash or redemption booking - the "registered country" requirement only comes into play for post-booking Avios (and I presume GUF1/2) upgrades of trips booked through a travel agent (in which case the rules at least say this is only possible if the travel agent is in the same country as your registered address).

In your case (assuming this is a booking direct with BA) you can upgrade using the GUF1 either directly if redemption availability is there, or you can use the joker to open up redemption availability (subject to the usual requirements concerning "A" fare-availability and whether a joker has already been used on the flights you wish to upgrade).

navylad

Perfect many thanks; Cinders you shall go to the ball

skba1

As already noted - yes you can upgrade that by using a joker if A-class is available (or normal redemption availability to avoid using joker).

The better option would of course have been to use a TA and apply the GUF1 at time of booking, but it appears you have already made the booking direct with BA some time ago?

navylad

Excuse my ignorance, but why is it better to use a TA for this?

All booked in any case, First ticket issued.

Beaulieu

Using a TA would negate the need for using a joker to upgrade, as they can only use revenue buckets to upgrade whereas BA directly use redemption availability.

navylad

Fair enough, guess it depends if the TA can get the same fare as available online direct; I haven't another use for either of my jokers yet so fine about using it for this, but maybe if I am a little more organised, I'll use a TA to compare prices first next time. Thanks.

GinFizz

It is possible I think that a TA could get a better fare than online direct - though I am not totally certain about this.

I write that based on some reports on this forum, that when upgrading with a GUF using a TA, only availability in the upgraded class is necessary. This means that they can use the lowest price base fare (the upgraded-from class) that satisfies all the advance purchase/minumum stay/weekday etc. requirements, even if there is no availability in that fare bucket.

I am not sure whether booking online direct with BA allows the same possibility (i.e. whether it would be priced directly into the next higher "upgraded-from" fare bucket). If not, then there could be a substantial price difference (certainly more than the TA booking fee).

skba1

You are correct as per above.

Also you get TP and Avios earnings for the upgraded class with a TA, which you do not if booking through BA.

RoarAhead

Can I include a stopover on an itinerary where I intend to use GUFs? So, say LHR - SIN (long stopover) - SYD - SIN - LHR?