First First Strategy [Upgrade methods from Y award]
Aug 2, 2018, 9:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 16
First First Strategy [Upgrade methods from Y award]
Hello All,
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
Aug 2, 2018, 11:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Hello All,
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
Alternatively you might check for Avios availability between now and the flight - would be £35 change fee + difference in Avios.
Good luck!
Aug 3, 2018, 2:22 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK/TZ
Programs: QRPC Plat; Marriott Plat; Hilton Gold
Posts: 353
Hello All,
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
I just wanted to get some of the forum experts thoughts on a strategy I'm trying to do my first First with BA.
I am BAEC Gold, and I will be travelling on BA048 (SEA-LHR) on October 1st. I booked a one way avios redemption ticket in economy, as the cost of the ticket made far too much economical sense to turn down. The aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise, since I spent basically nothing on the original ticket...
What do you think the chances of availability is in F on the day, and how much do you think it will cost?
Am I stupid for aiming for this?
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!
Aug 3, 2018, 3:00 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I'm curious about getting a Y redemption for 'practically nothing'. Normally that's about the worse use of Avios with TFC close to cash fares. So how does that work out?
I also wonder if you'd be able to AUP so many levels - does BA impose a limit? I know you can get offered WT to CW so maybe you can also do WT to F.
I also wonder if you'd be able to AUP so many levels - does BA impose a limit? I know you can get offered WT to CW so maybe you can also do WT to F.
Aug 3, 2018, 4:12 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
You say that “the aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise .......... “
That being the case, you might want to check your credit card limit and prepare yourself for the real possibility of that cash figure being in the order of around USD 11,000 (yes, eleven thousand) ; which seems to be the current level for a one-way SEA-LHR in F on your October date.
That being the case, you might want to check your credit card limit and prepare yourself for the real possibility of that cash figure being in the order of around USD 11,000 (yes, eleven thousand) ; which seems to be the current level for a one-way SEA-LHR in F on your October date.
Aug 3, 2018, 4:14 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: London
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, BAEC Gold
Posts: 283
You say that “the aim is to upgrade to First at the airport, whatever it takes cash wise .......... “
That being the case, you might want to check your credit card limit and prepare yourself for the real possibility of that cash figure being in the order of around USD 11,000 (yes, eleven thousand) ; which seems to be the current level for a one-way SEA-LHR in F on your October date.
That being the case, you might want to check your credit card limit and prepare yourself for the real possibility of that cash figure being in the order of around USD 11,000 (yes, eleven thousand) ; which seems to be the current level for a one-way SEA-LHR in F on your October date.
Aug 3, 2018, 4:16 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,769
HKG and Brazil are the exceptions due to YQ laws.
Aug 3, 2018, 4:23 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
The starting point is an Avios redemption in Y which the OP is looking to convert to a revenue ticket in F (whilst jumping a couple of classes along the way .....).
I might be proven wrong but would be surprised if this could be done for anything less than several thousand dollars.
Aug 3, 2018, 5:48 am
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
But you can't convert an Avios ticket to a cash ticket. As I see it, there are essentially three options if starting with a Y Avios ticket:
I agree that option 2 is likely to be prohibitive. I wouldn't see option 1 as good value either, but others might.
- You can AUP it subject to availability
- You can abandon it and buy a cash ticket (or cancel if > 24hr out)
- You can change (or cancel/rebook) into F if there's redemption availability.
I agree that option 2 is likely to be prohibitive. I wouldn't see option 1 as good value either, but others might.
Aug 3, 2018, 7:26 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 16
I guess I wasn't too clear, apologies.
I am looking at AUP only, as I know thats pretty much the only way to jump fare classes easily, plus is generally cheaper than any other way of upgrading in my experience.
And for the curious ones, the ticket was around 14k Avios & around $150 in taxes.
I am looking at AUP only, as I know thats pretty much the only way to jump fare classes easily, plus is generally cheaper than any other way of upgrading in my experience.
And for the curious ones, the ticket was around 14k Avios & around $150 in taxes.
Aug 3, 2018, 11:54 pm
#14
formerly rxfleming
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AUH, DXB (and GLA)
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat Elite
Posts: 2,454
Aug 4, 2018, 2:30 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Surrey
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, Eurostar CB, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 435
Am I missing something or is this just a simple case of rebooking in F if/when reward availability appears? The underlying ticket is redemption so AUP doesn't apply?