Question on GUF1s
May 30, 2015, 4:07 pm
#1
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Question on GUF1s
2500 TPs is never something I thought I'd manage, but I have unexpectedly found myself in position to achieve it this year simply by crediting already ticketed AA flights to my BA account. Whether I should do so depends on my ability to use GUF1s when flying for business.
My company's travel policy strictly forbids paying for first class flights, however it does explicitly allow individuals to upgrade business class flights to first class via miles or stickers. While Z availability between SFO and LHR seems to be generally poor (or at least it is when I fly) the company does use a corporate travel agency, so at least in theory I should be able to have them apply the GUF1 at the time of booking to upgrade if there is A availability.
The wrinkle is the difference between J and F taxes. Because the company pays for airfare directly I'm afraid that the additional taxes will run afoul of the "no paying for first class" rule.
Does anyone know if the tax differential is charged at the time of the original booking, or only after BA approves use of the GUF1? My thinking is that if it's the latter I'll be able to have the company pay for the J ticket and taxes, but have the additional taxes for F charged to me.
Thanks for your help.
My company's travel policy strictly forbids paying for first class flights, however it does explicitly allow individuals to upgrade business class flights to first class via miles or stickers. While Z availability between SFO and LHR seems to be generally poor (or at least it is when I fly) the company does use a corporate travel agency, so at least in theory I should be able to have them apply the GUF1 at the time of booking to upgrade if there is A availability.
The wrinkle is the difference between J and F taxes. Because the company pays for airfare directly I'm afraid that the additional taxes will run afoul of the "no paying for first class" rule.
Does anyone know if the tax differential is charged at the time of the original booking, or only after BA approves use of the GUF1? My thinking is that if it's the latter I'll be able to have the company pay for the J ticket and taxes, but have the additional taxes for F charged to me.
Thanks for your help.
May 30, 2015, 4:14 pm
#2
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Well, first of all it's worth knowing that at 2,500 points you get a GUF2, which can be used to upgrade 2 people. It's not until 3,500 points that you get 2 x GUF1s. As for taxes, you should find that they are the same for business and first, so you should not have an issue with your company paying for the tickets.
Last edited by Filthy Monkey; May 30, 2015 at 4:41 pm
May 30, 2015, 4:19 pm
#5
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May 30, 2015, 4:20 pm
#6
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May 30, 2015, 4:57 pm
#7
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Don't know who put that in the sticky but as others have said, it's 1 x GUF2 at 2500 and 2 x GUF1 at 3500.
May 30, 2015, 5:09 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by chris1979
Don't know who put that in the sticky but as others have said, it's 1 x GUF2 at 2500 and 2 x GUF1 at 3500.
May 30, 2015, 7:02 pm
#9
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Well, first of all it's worth knowing that at 2,500 points you get a GUF2, which can be used to upgrade 2 people. It's not until 3,500 points that you get 2 x GUF1s. As for taxes, you should find that they are the same for business and first, so you should not have an issue with your company paying for the tickets.
I have enquired previously about splitting a GUF2, and the answer was a firm no!
.
May 30, 2015, 7:32 pm
#10
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May 31, 2015, 2:00 am
#11
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May 31, 2015, 3:25 am
#12
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Indeed, taxes and charges are the same. However, if using a TA, they might charge a specific charge for handling the GUF2 (which you earn at 2500) or GUF1 (at 3500, etc) because it requires more work from them than a normal booking. I suggest that you offer to pay that fee and I'm sure the corporate TA would be able to receive it from you directly.