If I buy a vacation package in Club World can I upgrade to F for a leg?
Jan 19, 2018, 12:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
If I buy a vacation package in Club World can I upgrade to F for a leg?
My goal is to fly a 747 in F, from Heathrow as part of a Europe trip, back to the west coast US (PHX, or LAX). I want to fly in the nose, and try the CCR. I would try to book an award F ticket from LHR, but getting to Europe becomes exorbitantly expensive since I don't have enough points for a round trip ticket (one way ex-US in business is expensive on all the carriers I've tried)
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
Jan 19, 2018, 12:26 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
My goal is to fly a 747 in F, from Heathrow as part of a Europe trip, back to the west coast US (PHX, or LAX). I want to fly in the nose, and try the CCR. I would try to book an award F ticket from LHR, but getting to Europe becomes exorbitantly expensive since I don't have enough points for a round trip ticket (one way ex-US in business is expensive on all the carriers I've tried)
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
If you want to fly to PHX or LAS , these 2 flights leave from Terminal 3 ( not T5) and T 3 does not have a CCR ( it does have the Cathay and Qantas lounges which are very good)
LAX does leave from T 5
Regards
TBS
Jan 19, 2018, 12:49 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,588
As for Avios; only BA/125 issued tickets can be upgraded using Avios under BAEC. You cannot use Avios to upgrade a ticket issued by any other airline.
If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
Jan 19, 2018, 2:18 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, AA MM, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 122
My goal is to fly a 747 in F, from Heathrow as part of a Europe trip, back to the west coast US (PHX, or LAX). I want to fly in the nose, and try the CCR. I would try to book an award F ticket from LHR, but getting to Europe becomes exorbitantly expensive since I don't have enough points for a round trip ticket (one way ex-US in business is expensive on all the carriers I've tried)
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
So that leads me to upgrades. I normally book CW and have gotten some good deals from "AAvacations". If I do that, can I upgrade a Club ticket to F with points? I have AA miles, but can also transfer Amex points into Avios. If not, if I wait for the CW 2-for-1 sales that they run periodically from the US (where you get two for about $5000), can I upgrade those fares?
Jan 19, 2018, 10:56 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Thanks everyone. Sounds like it's time to open a BAEC account so I can check availability and shop BA's vacation packages too.
Is there a way to see the availability when booking, and upgrade as soon as we are ticketed via MMB? I'd be looking at two seats (the Mrs. and I) which is probably challenging.
Is there a way to see the availability when booking, and upgrade as soon as we are ticketed via MMB? I'd be looking at two seats (the Mrs. and I) which is probably challenging.
Jan 19, 2018, 11:54 pm
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North
Programs: BA Silver; IHG Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 382
For what it's worth, Club World rows 62 and 64 on the upper deck are probably more interesting than First.
I was greatly excited to be upgraded to first from LHR to LAS, but the service was pretty mediocre.
I was greatly excited to be upgraded to first from LHR to LAS, but the service was pretty mediocre.
Jan 20, 2018, 4:35 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,588
You can also just check Avios availability for regular award bookings (it's the same inventory).
If you do book a package then you would need to book that first then call to upgrade as a second step, but at least you can verify award availability first.
Jan 21, 2018, 10:36 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
If booking flight only you can actually book the upgrade all in one transaction when logged into BAEC; look for the option to Upgrade using Avios.
You can also just check Avios availability for regular award bookings (it's the same inventory).
If you do book a package then you would need to book that first then call to upgrade as a second step, but at least you can verify award availability first.
Jan 21, 2018, 11:50 pm
#12
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,477
The OP should probably be aware that award space to the US in premium cabins is scarce, and relying on it as a strategy to get into F may well not be successful.
Whilst equally not guaranteed, the AUP (Airport Upgrade Price) route of asking for an upgrade cost at the airport check-in desk may yield a better result. If the trip needs to be taken anyway, it’s a no-risk option. If the sole purpose is to fly in F, then it’s not something I’d personally chance though.
Whilst equally not guaranteed, the AUP (Airport Upgrade Price) route of asking for an upgrade cost at the airport check-in desk may yield a better result. If the trip needs to be taken anyway, it’s a no-risk option. If the sole purpose is to fly in F, then it’s not something I’d personally chance though.
Jan 22, 2018, 1:03 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
Agree that it will take a lot of planning but you can usually find *something* if you're moderately flexible with your dates, use the right tools and, as a last resort, book very early indeed. For instance, most days in August are possible to PHX. SJC should be manageable with some flexibility; LAX is hard work but not impossible. But definitely check before buying!