BA inhibiting avios upgrades on TA bookings

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May 27, 2019, 2:00 am

#31

corporate-wage-slave

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Quote:

Originally Posted by frb98mf

That's a plausible explanation! Given that the entire trip is indeed on BA, does this mean that if UuA space is still available at T-24, they might then be able to do it?

Only if it's 125 and BA flight coding throughout. Logically you are right, but it's just not the way it works.

May 27, 2019, 2:56 am

#32

Globaliser

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Quote:

Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave

Quote:

Originally Posted by frb98mf

Quote:

Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave

No, it is to do with the fact that using UuA alters the underlying ticket, and puts control under BA, which is unusual since that normally only happens at T-24, before that control lies with the TA. There is a risk of something going wrong or getting missed in the process. If the entire trip is on BA then it is happy to take the responsibility, but if there is other metal involved then the potential liability for mistakes (etc) is a step too far for BA. This also explains why AUP is ok, not least because the risk is in any case lower, but also because at that point the ticket is under airline control anyway.

That's a plausible explanation! Given that the entire trip is indeed on BA, does this mean that if UuA space is still available at T-24, they might then be able to do it?

Only if it's 125 and BA flight coding throughout. Logically you are right, but it's just not the way it works.

I thought that the difference is because UuA requires the ticket to be reissued, which therefore (as you say) alters the underlying ticket, but an AUP doesn't actually touch the ticket but is just an operational on-the-day gateway into a same process that's similar to an op-up, ie just fiddling with the physical seat allocated to the passenger without changing the contractual basis of the travel. I also thought that this was linked to the original difficulty in getting BAEC credit for the upgraded cabin, although that has since been dealt with - it seemed to be similar to not getting credit for the upgraded cabin if you're op-upped for free rather than (in effect) op-upped for payment. (As often noted, most other airlines running similar systems only give you the credit for the ticketed cabin, not the upgraded cabin.)

Contractually, AIUI the key thing is that if there's an IB code on one sector, that is an IB flight. It doesn't matter that IB discharges that contractual obligation by placing you on a BA aircraft: it remains an IB flight. On the face of it, that would seem to be consistent with a continuing reluctance on BA's part to fiddle with a ticket that still has another airline's flight on it.

May 31, 2019, 6:02 pm

#33

onlysuites

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Just to clarify am I able to upgrade a 074 (IB) ticket thats entirely BA metal? Booked through TA.

May 31, 2019, 10:28 pm

#34

Starship73

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Quote:

Originally Posted by onlysuites

Just to clarify am I able to upgrade a 074 (IB) ticket thats entirely BA metal? Booked through TA.

No, I believe all flights in the booking have to be BA-coded and 125-ticketed, and then the sector(s) you are upgrading have to be BA metal.

Jun 1, 2019, 4:05 am

#35

KARFA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by onlysuites

Just to clarify am I able to upgrade a 074 (IB) ticket thats entirely BA metal? Booked through TA.

see post 22, that should help explain what will and won’t work.

onlysuites likes this.

Jun 1, 2019, 4:24 am

#36

onlysuites

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KARFA

see post 22, that should help explain what will and won’t work.

Quote:

Tickets issued on non-BA stock [img]images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

Jun 1, 2019, 9:50 am

#37

Magic01273

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Apologies - I know this wasn't intended to turn into a "Upgrading Travel Agent Bookings with Avios Clinic" thread, but I'm opportunistically posting, since I have a somewhat related question.... on an "I" class ticket booked though Amex business travel, can I call to UuA to F? The outbound flight is on AA metal, but I have a BA flight number/125 ticket but its the inbound (BA metal) I'm looking to upgrade. Doable if I phone in?

Jun 1, 2019, 10:02 am

#38

Starship73

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic01273

In my experience, sometimes you will get an agent who says “I can’t do this because there is an AA-operated flight in the booking” and sometimes you will get an agent who says “I can do this because all flights on the booking are on a 125-ticket with a BA flight number and the flight you are upgrading is BA operated”. They may initially say it’s not possible but then do it after consulting with a manager. I’ve managed to get a positive outcome but sometimes had to ring four or five times before finding an amenable agent.

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