Redemption experiences
Dec 29, 2017, 11:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 557
Redemption experiences
I rang the Gold line tonight, very nice etc... My query was - can I upgrade my booked WT+ from SJC to LHR for myself and youngest son (20).
Bizarre exchange followed - there are no Avios available options to CW. So I said Cw is virtually empty. Agent says how do you know . I said expert flyer. She then confirmed the CW cabin was almost empty. So I asked her why cant I book upgrades. I then got a tirade of commercial sales blah blah . Then went to BA sales. Initially they wanted 1108 to upgrade the two seats. After 22mins guy came back with 3000! For two
whatwould would you do? FWIW the gold line said its approx 25-30k Avios to upgrade.
cheers T
Bizarre exchange followed - there are no Avios available options to CW. So I said Cw is virtually empty. Agent says how do you know . I said expert flyer. She then confirmed the CW cabin was almost empty. So I asked her why cant I book upgrades. I then got a tirade of commercial sales blah blah . Then went to BA sales. Initially they wanted 1108 to upgrade the two seats. After 22mins guy came back with 3000! For two
whatwould would you do? FWIW the gold line said its approx 25-30k Avios to upgrade.
cheers T
Dec 29, 2017, 12:12 pm
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 64,321
I would firstly check there was Avios availability before ringing - it is the same as redemption availability. Secondly if CW was important I would either book it in the first place or use a Gold Priority Reward for double Avios (pure redemptions only). Thirdly I'd think about AUP or POUGs if all else failed.
UUA from WTP to CW on SJC is 30k Avios off peak, 25k Avios peak. Best days for availability from SJC are Mondays and Tuesdays, with Wednesdays in third position. Weekends aren't very forthcoming (though there is availability for the next 3 nights).
UUA from WTP to CW on SJC is 30k Avios off peak, 25k Avios peak. Best days for availability from SJC are Mondays and Tuesdays, with Wednesdays in third position. Weekends aren't very forthcoming (though there is availability for the next 3 nights).
Dec 29, 2017, 12:25 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 557
I would firstly check there was Avios availability before ringing - it is the same as redemption availability. Secondly if CW was important I would either book it in the first place or use a Gold Priority Reward for double Avios (pure redemptions only). Thirdly I'd think about AUP or POUGs if all else failed.
UUA from WTP to CW on SJC is 30k Avios off peak, 25k Avios peak. Best days for availability from SJC are Mondays and Tuesdays, with Wednesdays in third position. Weekends aren't very forthcoming (though there is availability for the next 3 nights).
UUA from WTP to CW on SJC is 30k Avios off peak, 25k Avios peak. Best days for availability from SJC are Mondays and Tuesdays, with Wednesdays in third position. Weekends aren't very forthcoming (though there is availability for the next 3 nights).
No CW isnt that important
Forgive my naive - Gold Priority Award ?
i I get your closer to time of departure points.
cheers T
Dec 29, 2017, 12:33 pm
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 64,321
Gold Priority Rewards are where you can force availability to become available, so long as there are revenue seats going. It costs double the amount of Avios, but the same cash component. The beauty of it is that if normal availability shows up you can book the conventional Avios space then cancel the GPR for a full refund.
Gold Priority Award
Gold Priority Award
Dec 29, 2017, 12:34 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,669
I rang the Gold line tonight, very nice etc... My query was - can I upgrade my booked WT+ from SJC to LHR for myself and youngest son (20).
Bizarre exchange followed - there are no Avios available options to CW. So I said Cw is virtually empty. Agent says how do you know . I said expert flyer. She then confirmed the CW cabin was almost empty. So I asked her why cant I book upgrades. I then got a tirade of commercial sales blah blah . Then went to BA sales. Initially they wanted 1108 to upgrade the two seats. After 22mins guy came back with 3000! For two
whatwould would you do? FWIW the gold line said its approx 25-30k Avios to upgrade.
cheers T
Bizarre exchange followed - there are no Avios available options to CW. So I said Cw is virtually empty. Agent says how do you know . I said expert flyer. She then confirmed the CW cabin was almost empty. So I asked her why cant I book upgrades. I then got a tirade of commercial sales blah blah . Then went to BA sales. Initially they wanted 1108 to upgrade the two seats. After 22mins guy came back with 3000! For two
whatwould would you do? FWIW the gold line said its approx 25-30k Avios to upgrade.
cheers T
Dec 29, 2017, 4:09 pm
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,324
I suspect Anonba is right. There's a difference between commercial availability and reward availability for Avios upgrades. Did you check for reward availability using ExpertFlyer or just for commercial availability?
Dec 30, 2017, 6:21 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 325
If it *stays* empty closer to the flight (2 weeks or so) then they will probably open up more redemption inventory. Keep checking (or pay for one of the subscription services that will alert you).