Your guide to spending Avios | 2017 edition
Aug 27, 2017, 3:58 pm
#391
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
Newbie here.
I got questions about UuA.
I want to book flights LAX-LHR-CDG-LHR-LAX in premium economy, but the search results show mix cabin fares with World Traveller Plus (T) and Euro Traveller (K) which is fine because LHR-CDG segment is very short.
Now when I try to book with money, upgrade with Avios for outbound flights only, for example, it tries to upgrade all the way (LAX-LHR-CDG) and the final fare becomes very expensive (more than 3 times) even I pick exact the same flights. When I tries to upgrade inbound flights only, it gives me error when it calculates fare...
Q1: Is it possible to book tickets online first then try to upgrade a partial segment (LAX-LHR or LHR-LAX ) online? Or, do I need to call BA to do that?
Q2: I figured upgrading the LHR-LAX segment requires 30,000 Avois plus extra fee. How much would the extra fee be about?
Q3: I want to earn AA miles instead of Avios for this trip besides upgrading my seat with Avios. Is that possible? If yes, what is the best course of action?
Thank you
I got questions about UuA.
I want to book flights LAX-LHR-CDG-LHR-LAX in premium economy, but the search results show mix cabin fares with World Traveller Plus (T) and Euro Traveller (K) which is fine because LHR-CDG segment is very short.
Now when I try to book with money, upgrade with Avios for outbound flights only, for example, it tries to upgrade all the way (LAX-LHR-CDG) and the final fare becomes very expensive (more than 3 times) even I pick exact the same flights. When I tries to upgrade inbound flights only, it gives me error when it calculates fare...
Q1: Is it possible to book tickets online first then try to upgrade a partial segment (LAX-LHR or LHR-LAX ) online? Or, do I need to call BA to do that?
Q2: I figured upgrading the LHR-LAX segment requires 30,000 Avois plus extra fee. How much would the extra fee be about?
Q3: I want to earn AA miles instead of Avios for this trip besides upgrading my seat with Avios. Is that possible? If yes, what is the best course of action?
Thank you
Aug 27, 2017, 4:07 pm
#392
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Comments in line regarding our situation.
I want to book flights LAX-LHR-CDG-LHR-LAX in premium economy, but the search results show mix cabin fares with World Traveller Plus (T) and Euro Traveller (K) which is fine because LHR-CDG segment is very short.
Now when I try to book with money, upgrade with Avios for outbound flights only, for example, it tries to upgrade all the way (LAX-LHR-CDG) and the final fare becomes very expensive (more than 3 times) even I pick exact the same flights. When I tries to upgrade inbound flights only, it gives me error when it calculates fare...
Q1: Is it possible to book tickets online first then try to upgrade a partial segment (LAX-LHR or LHR-LAX ) online? Or, do I need to call BA to do that?
brp: We booked BA vacation packages where we did just this- bought PE and upgraded the TATL (and not the intra-Europe) segments with Avios. In this case it was SFO-LHR and SJC-LHR. It was much easier to call, and all phone fees were waived
Q2: I figured upgrading the LHR-LAX segment requires 30,000 Avois plus extra fee. How much would the extra fee be about?
brp: In our case the initial assessment showed an added fee, but the agent advised that it would likely go away. After booking, things came back at the same price (or actually a tad lower) after the upgrade from PE->J
Q3: I want to earn AA miles instead of Avios for this trip besides upgrading my seat with Avios. Is that possible? If yes, what is the best course of action?
brp: Book with BA number and get it all finalised. Then go to Royal Jordanian (rj.com) and change to AAdvantage number after-the-fact. Then pick seats (based on status). This is what I did.
Thank you
Cheers.
I want to book flights LAX-LHR-CDG-LHR-LAX in premium economy, but the search results show mix cabin fares with World Traveller Plus (T) and Euro Traveller (K) which is fine because LHR-CDG segment is very short.
Now when I try to book with money, upgrade with Avios for outbound flights only, for example, it tries to upgrade all the way (LAX-LHR-CDG) and the final fare becomes very expensive (more than 3 times) even I pick exact the same flights. When I tries to upgrade inbound flights only, it gives me error when it calculates fare...
Q1: Is it possible to book tickets online first then try to upgrade a partial segment (LAX-LHR or LHR-LAX ) online? Or, do I need to call BA to do that?
brp: We booked BA vacation packages where we did just this- bought PE and upgraded the TATL (and not the intra-Europe) segments with Avios. In this case it was SFO-LHR and SJC-LHR. It was much easier to call, and all phone fees were waived
Q2: I figured upgrading the LHR-LAX segment requires 30,000 Avois plus extra fee. How much would the extra fee be about?
brp: In our case the initial assessment showed an added fee, but the agent advised that it would likely go away. After booking, things came back at the same price (or actually a tad lower) after the upgrade from PE->J
Q3: I want to earn AA miles instead of Avios for this trip besides upgrading my seat with Avios. Is that possible? If yes, what is the best course of action?
brp: Book with BA number and get it all finalised. Then go to Royal Jordanian (rj.com) and change to AAdvantage number after-the-fact. Then pick seats (based on status). This is what I did.
Thank you
Aug 28, 2017, 1:11 pm
#393
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
I suspect I know the answer to this from the guide at the front - but I wanted to be clear:
I have a booking which has an AA flight in but BA coded.
For the NON-AA flights in the booking - do they have to fall into the 'AA-BA-IB' rules of being in the top booking codes (F,J,W) or can I do it from all the normal codes in order to UUA?
For that matter - does it matter for the BA flights at all? I feel sure I've done a UUA on a mixed itinerary before but it's so hard to remember.
I have a booking which has an AA flight in but BA coded.
For the NON-AA flights in the booking - do they have to fall into the 'AA-BA-IB' rules of being in the top booking codes (F,J,W) or can I do it from all the normal codes in order to UUA?
For that matter - does it matter for the BA flights at all? I feel sure I've done a UUA on a mixed itinerary before but it's so hard to remember.
Sep 5, 2017, 4:11 pm
#394
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Scotland
Posts: 377
Looking to use a Lloyds Upgrade Voucher shortly to go to NYC in economy then back in premium economy with BA.. i've noticed doing dummy bookings that PE seems to go quickly..what is the best time to book -355 days then try and book after midnight a la BA AMEX 2-4-1 voucher ?
TIA
TIA
Last edited by argonath; Sep 5, 2017 at 4:11 pm Reason: spelling
Sep 5, 2017, 5:36 pm
#395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
BA only guarantees release of availability in Y and J (4 and 2 respectively). You can't count on WT+ being available.
Sep 6, 2017, 3:42 pm
#396
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,916
Is there a possible error in the UUA table above - it seems that the figures in the lower half of the table for upgrades from WT+ to CW are reversed?
i.e. Distance 4001 - 5500, WT+ to CW says
30000 Off Peak
25000 Peak
Apologies if this is already noted somewhere in the thread
i.e. Distance 4001 - 5500, WT+ to CW says
30000 Off Peak
25000 Peak
Apologies if this is already noted somewhere in the thread
Sep 6, 2017, 3:54 pm
#397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,813
Is there a possible error in the UUA table above - it seems that the figures in the lower half of the table for upgrades from WT+ to CW are reversed?
i.e. Distance 4001 - 5500, WT+ to CW says
30000 Off Peak
25000 Peak
Apologies if this is already noted somewhere in the thread
i.e. Distance 4001 - 5500, WT+ to CW says
30000 Off Peak
25000 Peak
Apologies if this is already noted somewhere in the thread
The cost of using this mechanism to upgrade to Club World and First on long haul increased substantially on 28 April 2015 and as the calculation is now based on variable rates, you need to check a) what is the flight distance? and b) does the flight date fall into peak or off peak? Once you’ve established these two factors, you can work out the cost to upgrade your flight. A 12 month forward view of peak and off peak dates is published on BA.com. See here and navigate to “Working out the cost”.
...
So for example, let’s say you want to book a return from London to San Francisco, moving from World Traveller Plus to Club World. The basic fare is (say) £900 including taxes. Upgrading from World Traveller Plus to Club World. As this route distance falls into band 6, the upgrade cost will be 30,000 Avios for an off-peak date or 25,000 Avios for a peak date plus any upward adjustment in carrier charges.
...
So for example, let’s say you want to book a return from London to San Francisco, moving from World Traveller Plus to Club World. The basic fare is (say) £900 including taxes. Upgrading from World Traveller Plus to Club World. As this route distance falls into band 6, the upgrade cost will be 30,000 Avios for an off-peak date or 25,000 Avios for a peak date plus any upward adjustment in carrier charges.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28459763-post4.html
Sep 7, 2017, 4:18 am
#398
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
Indeed - it has increased the value of the Lloyds Avios card upgrade voucher as a result (as with it you travel in CW but pay WT+ Avios pricing ^)
Sep 7, 2017, 11:51 am
#399
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,916
It is a quirk of how you calculate the cost. From part 01 of post 7 of the guide:
See also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28459763-post4.html
See also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28459763-post4.html
Sep 11, 2017, 1:57 am
#400
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
I recently booked a business award on Dragonair from HKG to KTM for 11,000 avios plus GBP 108, which I thought was a pretty good deal.
However, when I look at the avios redemption rates for business class at the beginning of this thread, I'm a little surprised that the increase in avios required between the various distance bands is not linear. For example, it appears it would be somewhat less expensive to redeem 2 x 2000 mile awards than 1 x 4,000 mile award.
I expect that this has been discussed previously, but can anyone explain how this is justified?
However, when I look at the avios redemption rates for business class at the beginning of this thread, I'm a little surprised that the increase in avios required between the various distance bands is not linear. For example, it appears it would be somewhat less expensive to redeem 2 x 2000 mile awards than 1 x 4,000 mile award.
I expect that this has been discussed previously, but can anyone explain how this is justified?
Sep 11, 2017, 6:00 am
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
However, when I look at the avios redemption rates for business class at the beginning of this thread, I'm a little surprised that the increase in avios required between the various distance bands is not linear. For example, it appears it would be somewhat less expensive to redeem 2 x 2000 mile awards than 1 x 4,000 mile award.
I expect that this has been discussed previously, but can anyone explain how this is justified?
I expect that this has been discussed previously, but can anyone explain how this is justified?
For a more concrete answer, a pointer may be provided by having a look at BA-operated flights. Think what sort of seat and service you'll get if you fly on a 2,000-mile flight (say, London-Larnaca). Then think what sort of seat and service you'll get if you fly on a 4,000-mile flight (say, London-Chicago).
Sep 11, 2017, 6:38 am
#402
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,574
Sorry if this has been answered already
If I call BA and book WT+ flights with one MH segment in - can I UUA the BA segments?
I know you can't if you book via a TA, but it's not clear in the wiki about what happens if I book direct
If I call BA and book WT+ flights with one MH segment in - can I UUA the BA segments?
I know you can't if you book via a TA, but it's not clear in the wiki about what happens if I book direct
Sep 11, 2017, 7:07 am
#403
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,146
Just call them up and it should be fine. More info here.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27694694-post6.html
Upgrading Using Avios (UuA) & Gold Upgrade Vouchers (GUF)
A quick note on doing UuAs is that you can do these for exEU itineraries (or you can apply a GUF if you have any). The following restrictions for UuAs apply though:
Summary guide to bookings which can be upgraded with Avios:
BA issued tickets (can include other carriers) ^
TA issued (on BA stock) booking with only BA flights ^
TA issued (on BA stock) booking with other carriers
Tickets issued on non-BA stock
A quick note on doing UuAs is that you can do these for exEU itineraries (or you can apply a GUF if you have any). The following restrictions for UuAs apply though:
Summary guide to bookings which can be upgraded with Avios:
BA issued tickets (can include other carriers) ^
TA issued (on BA stock) booking with only BA flights ^
TA issued (on BA stock) booking with other carriers
Tickets issued on non-BA stock
Last edited by PETER01; Sep 11, 2017 at 7:17 am
Sep 11, 2017, 7:47 am
#404
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,574
Cheers PETER01 - yes by some miracle there are 2 x CW seats and I just found a very well priced WT+ fare - so I will get on the phone now!
Sep 11, 2017, 7:52 am
#405
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,146
I think there may be a little extra tax to pay but I am not sure of the general figure although I have £78 in my head!