Upgrading a standard Avios ticket
Jul 25, 2019, 4:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 439
Upgrading a standard Avios ticket
Hi, I couldn't find this on the Avios wiki so was looking for some help.
What are the rules, if any, about upgrading a standard Y avios redemption ticket from LHR-JFK? A premium economy seat has just popped up online. What is the additional cost I'd have to pay in terms of avios and cash? I also believe you can't upgrade avios tickets online, is that correct?
Thanks in advance.
What are the rules, if any, about upgrading a standard Y avios redemption ticket from LHR-JFK? A premium economy seat has just popped up online. What is the additional cost I'd have to pay in terms of avios and cash? I also believe you can't upgrade avios tickets online, is that correct?
Thanks in advance.
Jul 25, 2019, 4:22 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
This is not an upgrade. It's a change.
So you pay the £35 change fee, the extra Avios and the extra TFC.
I've never tried to do it, but I suspect that if you look at MMB you'll rapidly find out whether or not the website will even try to do it for you.
So you pay the £35 change fee, the extra Avios and the extra TFC.
I've never tried to do it, but I suspect that if you look at MMB you'll rapidly find out whether or not the website will even try to do it for you.
Jul 25, 2019, 4:23 am
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
You can't upgrade, you just cancel and rebook. So it will cost the standard £35 cancellation fee. If you have the Avios you can do it online as two transactions, if not try calling in and see if they can do both transactions together.
Jul 25, 2019, 4:24 am
#4
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Jul 25, 2019, 4:24 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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What you are doing technically is a change rather than an upgrade (Upgrade with Avios). You will basically pay a £35 change fee per passenger, any extra taxes/fees/charges (likely to just be around £90 extra APD), and the extra avios (basically the difference in avios due for WTP and WT).
I don't hold much hope for you to be able to do this on MMB so I suspect the easiest way is just to call BAEC to do it.
I don't hold much hope for you to be able to do this on MMB so I suspect the easiest way is just to call BAEC to do it.
Jul 25, 2019, 6:11 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
By the way, this is one reason why I always book Avios redemptions as two one ways (which costs the same in 90% of cases) as it makes it much easier to upgrade just one of the legs if availability (and spare Avios) comes up.
Jul 25, 2019, 6:17 am
#7
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Jul 25, 2019, 6:29 am
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Jul 25, 2019, 7:00 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 439
Resolution to this. Actually you can. I rang up telling them did I have to cancel and rebook, and he told me not at all and processed the upgrade over the phone no issue. Thanks for everyone's help
Jul 25, 2019, 7:04 am
#10
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Jul 25, 2019, 7:15 am
#11
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In essence because taxes/fees/charges (mostly BA's carrier surcharge) are much higher exUS than exUK, so for a UK-US rtn you actually pay more booking two one ways than a return. Have a look at the worked example in this post to see the issue https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30255777-post965.html
Jul 25, 2019, 7:16 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
But if your return were LAX-LHR it'd be cheaper to add it to the LHR-SFO booking than to pay ex-US redemption fees.
Jul 25, 2019, 8:31 am
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Got it. Thanks
Jul 25, 2019, 8:32 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
Hi, sorry I should explain - often it's easy to fall in to the trap of thinking everyone knows all the background!
In essence because taxes/fees/charges (mostly BA's carrier surcharge) are much higher exUS than exUK, so for a UK-US rtn you actually pay more booking two one ways than a return. Have a look at the worked example in this post to see the issue https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30255777-post965.html
In essence because taxes/fees/charges (mostly BA's carrier surcharge) are much higher exUS than exUK, so for a UK-US rtn you actually pay more booking two one ways than a return. Have a look at the worked example in this post to see the issue https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30255777-post965.html
Jul 25, 2019, 9:23 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
For me, with an account pricing in euro:
Return V-class LHR-LAX 420.74 (where award space is offered to golds)
Two one-ways: 283.18 + 82.99
So, down the back, it's actually cheaper to do two one-ways - but that might at least partly be a quirk due to the location of my account.
Return V-class LHR-LAX 420.74 (where award space is offered to golds)
Two one-ways: 283.18 + 82.99
So, down the back, it's actually cheaper to do two one-ways - but that might at least partly be a quirk due to the location of my account.