Need help trying to figure out the best approach to an upcoming itinerary
Jul 8, 2017, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: SPG Plt, Hyatt Diamond, DL
Posts: 369
Need help trying to figure out the best approach to an upcoming itinerary
AA plt. Have an upcoming flight on AA/BA and am wondering how to best purchase and upgrade. Hope someone can offer advice on the following situation (am also posting under AA forum):
Flight:
MIA-LHR AA56 (AA metal)
LHR-NBO AA6653 (BA metal)
If I buy my flight through AA, can I upgrade one/both of the segments using Avios? Or will my only option be using AA miles?
Likewise, if I buy my flight through BA, can I upgrade one/both of the segments using AA miles? Or will my only option be using Avios?
Lastly, does BA offer upgrades at the gate for a flat fee the way KLM and AF sometimes do?
Ticket prices are negligibly similar through AA vs BA, and I have plenty of miles on both. Just trying to figure out my best approach for scoring an upgrade.
Thanks in advance
Flight:
MIA-LHR AA56 (AA metal)
LHR-NBO AA6653 (BA metal)
If I buy my flight through AA, can I upgrade one/both of the segments using Avios? Or will my only option be using AA miles?
Likewise, if I buy my flight through BA, can I upgrade one/both of the segments using AA miles? Or will my only option be using Avios?
Lastly, does BA offer upgrades at the gate for a flat fee the way KLM and AF sometimes do?
Ticket prices are negligibly similar through AA vs BA, and I have plenty of miles on both. Just trying to figure out my best approach for scoring an upgrade.
Thanks in advance
Jul 8, 2017, 12:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
You can't use Avios to upgrade a ticket issued on AA ticket stock (ticket number starting with 001...) even if it is a BA operated flight with a BA flight number. And using AA miles to upgrade is more restrictive than using Avios (assuming one has the correct ticket to start). My $.02: Book through BA and use the "plenty" of Avios to upgrade.