Can I change class-of-service on a reward flight without paying change-fee?
May 12, 2016, 1:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 100K SE (*G), Marriott P, SPG G, Hilton D
Posts: 611
Can I change class-of-service on a reward flight without paying change-fee?
It's my first time posting here to BA forum.
I'm a novice with BA reward program. I want to book a flight JFK-YVR on CX using my BA points.
I currently see J-reward availability, but no F availability.
I would like to secure a seat on the flight, so I want to know if it's possible to book J-seat now and then upgrade it (pay the difference in points) later?
I see there is a "change-fee" if you want to change the flight/dates, but it doesn't say clearly if there is a change-fee for class-of-service changes. So I want to know what all the possible fees might be?
I have no status with BA.
I'm a novice with BA reward program. I want to book a flight JFK-YVR on CX using my BA points.
I currently see J-reward availability, but no F availability.
I would like to secure a seat on the flight, so I want to know if it's possible to book J-seat now and then upgrade it (pay the difference in points) later?
I see there is a "change-fee" if you want to change the flight/dates, but it doesn't say clearly if there is a change-fee for class-of-service changes. So I want to know what all the possible fees might be?
I have no status with BA.
May 12, 2016, 1:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
I am sure someone will be along with a more knowledgable explanation, but I don't think you can upgrade award flights. It might be a case of having to cancel and rebook when F availability is showing. This would incur a 55USD fee and 25USD if done not online. It's still a cost effective way of guaranteeing a seat on a flight with the opportunity to change if one becomes available.
May 12, 2016, 1:59 pm
#3
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
It is possible to book J now and change it to F later (as long as there is still F reward space left). This isn't an upgrade, rather a change of class which incurs the 55USD change fee.
May 12, 2016, 2:03 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,815
You will need to pay the change fee. See this thread (among others):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ook-j-f-2.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ook-j-f-2.html
May 12, 2016, 4:13 pm
#6
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
This shouldn't attract the $55 change fee. The $55 fee only applies to time/date changes. See here
May 12, 2016, 4:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,659
This shouldn't attract the $55 change fee. The $55 fee only applies to time/date changes. See here
If this is booked with avios and then you upgrade later then yes you will need to pay the $55 amendment fee as it applies for any changes on an avios booking.
May 12, 2016, 4:42 pm
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
If this is a booking you make with money that you are going to Uua then it would just be the tax and avios difference.
If this is booked with avios and then you upgrade later then yes you will need to pay the $55 amendment fee as it applies for any changes on an avios booking.
If this is booked with avios and then you upgrade later then yes you will need to pay the $55 amendment fee as it applies for any changes on an avios booking.
May 12, 2016, 4:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Glasgow / London
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 3,457
Effectively what you're doing is cancelling the current booking and rebooking in a different class, which is why it attracts the 'change / cancellation' fee. It's a stupid, unfair (IMHO) rule and one that BA should revisit. I'm sure if F was available at the time of the original booking, most people would have booked it in the first place.
May 12, 2016, 5:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
YMMV but I was able to change 2 award seats from J to F for a flight in July without incurring a fee. We just paid the difference in Avios. I have no status with BA or OW. F was available at the time of the original booking. I just decided to treat us to F instead and a very nice phone agent was able to make the change with no fee.
May 12, 2016, 10:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,659
YMMV but I was able to change 2 award seats from J to F for a flight in July without incurring a fee. We just paid the difference in Avios. I have no status with BA or OW. F was available at the time of the original booking. I just decided to treat us to F instead and a very nice phone agent was able to make the change with no fee.
Clearly if there is no availability to do that or they would book it anyway. The op will be asked to pay the amendment fee if they change outside the first 24 hours from when booked.
May 13, 2016, 9:03 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Effectively what you're doing is cancelling the current booking and rebooking in a different class, which is why it attracts the 'change / cancellation' fee. It's a stupid, unfair (IMHO) rule and one that BA should revisit. I'm sure if F was available at the time of the original booking, most people would have booked it in the first place.
May 13, 2016, 10:57 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Im assuming the change was made within 24 hours so that the correction policy could be applied which allows amendment fees and service fees to be waived you just pay the difference in fare tax and/or avios.
Clearly if there is no availability to do that or they would book it anyway. The op will be asked to pay the amendment fee if they change outside the first 24 hours from when booked.
Clearly if there is no availability to do that or they would book it anyway. The op will be asked to pay the amendment fee if they change outside the first 24 hours from when booked.
Dec 29, 2017, 4:41 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 530
<br /><br />Is there a definitive answer to this? I'm looking to book a partner flight (using Avios) that only has PEY right now, but I want to eventually downgrade it to Y shall the inventory becomes available in the future.