A406toHeathrow

Hi all

I know it's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question but I hoped to call on collective wisdom of FT.

I did try and do a search but to get specific enough, the search function excludes most of the words as they are "too common"!

I have an Avios booking made with a 2-4-1 in early May flying LHR-LAS and LAX-LHR. I managed to bag First on the LHR-LAS (this will be our first First - thank you FT!). Despite booking on the release date, I could only get J on the LAX-LHR leg. The key question - Should I waste my time constantly checking for availability to upgrade my ticket to F?

Since May I have been checking every couple of days to see if F availability opened up but alas no luck. I should mention that a friend checked the numbers on our flight and F cabin is still almost totally unsold (i.e. 9+ available).

I am wondering if, on that route and with your experience, you would suggest not bothering and just being happy with Club? Does F redemption availability ever open up on LAX-LHR (we need 2 tickets)? If so, is there a pattern to it?

Of course, I am not turning my nose up at F one way and J return (on the A380) but F both ways would make it even more special - it's a big anniversary trip!

On a related, but very separate, note (sorry for hijacking my own post! ) - since we fly out of LHR T3, there shall be no CCR experience for us . I have heard that the new CX First lounge in T3 is worth checking out - any other tips for maximising a first First out of T3 specifically??

Thanks in advance!

Quarky Quark

Leaving aside the issue of availability and opportunity cost of Avios, I'd say definitely yes.

My own 2p is that a JFK-LHR o/n leg in J is not worth upgrading but LAX-LHR definitely is, every time. If it's a special trip, all the more reason IMO. Good luck.

mikeyfly

My opinion... absolutely take F when on a 2-4-1. The tiny uplift of 30,000 (?) for both of you to come home in F on A380 is a no brainer, even on overnight.

It's a decent length to appreciate dinner, sleep & breakfast

There's loads more space than J - and you can then compare the two (747 out vs 380 home) !

I don't think there's too much chance of two seats coming up on your date, but if it does don't hesitate !

Grande Annee

F for that length of flight and on the A380 is definitely worth it IMO

QueenOfCoach

Why not just get an ExpertFlyer account and set an alert?

mikeyfly

What's somewhat annoying on the 2-4-1 is if one F seat comes up, you will not be able to grab.

A406toHeathrow

Thanks for the advice so far - I should note that my main question is whether availability ever opens up on LAX-LHR. I am definitely not questioning if I should bother if it does!

On a humorous aside, I had originally entitled this thread "Will I ever get lucky on F LAX-LHR?" and then realised before I submitted that it might attract some very different responses. I had visions of tawdry experiences being retold a la @PUCCI GALORE - hmmm on second thoughts maybe I missed a trick not leaving the original title intact

corporate-wage-slave

Yes, availability does open up, at any random time between now and departure, but it is a tough route to get it, there are some full price First passengers on that sector! Just check every morning, the release is just after midnight GMT. Best period is 2 or 3 days before departure.....

cosmo74

Definitely go to the Cathay Pacific First lounge in T3 - it's far superior to anything else there and feels nicer than the Concorde Room, with better service - the only thing lacking is the LPGS.

Dorsetboy

You might consider other departure points from the west coast. Don't rule out PHX, SJC, SAN or SFO for example. I managed a 241 in first out to SJC and back from PHX for October in the last couple of weeks just by looking every day. Remember there's a change fee of Ł35 too but well worth it

DavidYYC

I am finding quite a discrepancy between what Expert Flyer finds and what is available doing an actual search on BA. EF shows "no availability" yet there is when performing a manual search on BA ( Looking at YYC-LHR Business Class Award/Upgrade). Thus doing a Seat Alert on EF may not pick up the availability.

Globaliser

That's odd. I think that most of us who use EF find that it's extremely accurate for BA awards.

DavidYYC

I don't want to de-rail this thread but I can send you some examples. Perhaps I am doing something wrong on EF?

ChemicalWoody

Slightly back-to-basics question here but can you actually upgrade a single leg of a 2-4-1 using Avios?
When I tried it, the website said you can't upgrade a redemption flight using Avios.
I guess you have to get the call centre to do it?
Is there then no fee, given that it can't be done online?

mikeyfly

You call and it's a change fee of Ł35 pp - different to an off line service fee