Is B an upgradable fare?
 

I am not a Continental guy, but I was wondering if someone could help me with what is an upgradable fare from EWR to DEL. I have found fares in B, but nothing available in Y. Thanks in advance.

What are you trying to upgrade it with? CO doesn't sell cash upgrade except for Hawaii routes. If you have CO miles, then, yes, "B" is an upgradeable fare even if you're not elite. From EWR to DEL, it's likely to be a "Series 10 upgrade". A very steep 40K miles + $300 each way from a B fare.

And what dates are you flying? It's very rare to have "B" fare but not full "Y".

I am going to use CO miles that I am having converted from Amex points. I finally found a Y fare which is twice the price of a B fare.

I am travelling Dec 16, Ret - Jan 21, IAD DEL. Even if there is a $300 cost, it is still cheaper than the $4200 for a Y fare. Any advice?

Just keep in mind that mileage upgrade has limited availability. You do need to have the miles first, as they'll deduct them even just for getting on the waitlist. When it clears, they'll charge your card for the upgrade fee. If it doesn't clear, then miles will be returned to you.

Upgrades are cleared based on elite status, but not fare class. So, if you're not elite, your chances are even lower.

FYI -- The fee+miles is each way and it does not necessarily get you a BF seat. If you clear the waitlist you get charged and you get the big seat. If you don't clear you don't get charged and you sit in the back. This is true when trying to upgrade from any coach fare class (including Y and B).

I just checked with an agent and he said he can only put me on a waitlist at best. The availability is really low during mid Dec, peak season I guess. No upgrades either way, not sure I want to take that risk.

Any advice on availability for FB awards.

Call in and ask them to check partner availability. Check routings through all of the partner hubs (AMS, PRG, FCO, MXP, CDG). Be very flexible. Often, stuff shows up with less than two weeks to go before the flight. In December, though, that might not happen.

As a point of clarification, ALL fares can be upgraded by all passengers for BF flights. Only domestic flights for non-elites have the special rules about which fare classes are excluded for non-elites.

On TA flights -- even fares receiving only 50% of EQM?

Yes, thanks for clarifications. Only Series 0 upgrades (domestic) require specific fare classes of B or above.

Yup. Any flight that is not within or between the 48 contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada can be upgraded with miles by anyone on any fare.