Economy Class to Business Class Upgrading
May 8, 2017, 7:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: California
Programs: Iberia
Posts: 38
Economy Class to Business Class Upgrading
I have a question regarding upgrade from Economy to Business (LAX-MAD and back). I've flown this route before (and BA routes) with Economy ticket and after ticketing was given the opportunity to bid for upgrade. At the time I didn't take advantage, so I'm not sure how it works (have some idea from searching here and iberia website), but would like to this time if possible. So, a few questions
1. Is this upgrade only available for certain economy fare types?
2. Can you use Avios to pay for all or part of the upgrade if your bid wins?
3. If i convert AmEx points into Iberia Avios, how long does it take to see the added Avios in your Iberia account?
Not sure if it the following is relevant, so adding if it is:
- travel will be in September (~ 6th or 7th through 24th)
- have Iberia Plata status
Thanks.
1. Is this upgrade only available for certain economy fare types?
2. Can you use Avios to pay for all or part of the upgrade if your bid wins?
3. If i convert AmEx points into Iberia Avios, how long does it take to see the added Avios in your Iberia account?
Not sure if it the following is relevant, so adding if it is:
- travel will be in September (~ 6th or 7th through 24th)
- have Iberia Plata status
Thanks.
May 9, 2017, 2:41 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,043
You can only upgrade with Avios from Y, B, H. Very expensive Economy fares... (and you must find award space which is also difficult on the LAX flights)
Bid for upgrade is cash only.
Not sure about US Amex but I understand it's usually pretty quick, although not instantaneous.
Bid for upgrade is cash only.
Not sure about US Amex but I understand it's usually pretty quick, although not instantaneous.
May 9, 2017, 4:23 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 63
As iberia plus member, they sometimes offer you upgrades via email, which you can choose to pay with money or with avios.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
May 10, 2017, 8:47 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,385
As iberia plus member, they sometimes offer you upgrades via email, which you can choose to pay with money or with avios.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
May 10, 2017, 10:09 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 63
Sure!
MAD-NRT was Q and NRT-MAD was S. I had a BRU-NRT-FRA open jaw ticket.
They sent me this email:
MAD-NRT was Q and NRT-MAD was S. I had a BRU-NRT-FRA open jaw ticket.
They sent me this email:
Una buena noticia caída del cielo
¿No ha soñado nunca con realizar un viaje en nuestra clase Business Plus?. Ahora como cliente Iberia Plus ponemos a su alcance todo el confort y la exclusividad de Business Plus, en su vuelo a TOKYO del día 04 de Diciembre. Si desea viajar en ella, hágalo por solo 500 € o 42000 Avios.
¿Cómo hacer el cambio de clase?
La mecánica es muy sencilla: responda este correo electrónico SIN BORRAR EL CUERPO DEL MENSAJE, indicando su nombre, número de tarjeta Iberia Plus y número de teléfono con prefijos hasta las 21:30 del día 25/11/2016, hora de España (Península).
¿Cómo me informo si viajo en Business Plus?
Iberia se pondrá en contacto con usted para informarle de la disponibilidad y en caso de ser factible, formalizar la reserva a partir de este miércoles día 23/11/2016, hasta el Viernes 25/11/2016 a las 21:30, hora de España (Península).
CONDICIONES: esta campaña está dirigida exclusivamente al destinatario de este correo, en el vuelo, fecha y precios indicados en la comunicación. Sujeto a la disponibilidad de la campaña. El pago podrá realizarse solamente en euros o dólares norteamericanos. Los billetes afectados por esta campaña serán sólo aquellos emitidos en una fecha anterior a la de recepción de este correo por parte del cliente. El nuevo billete emitido en Business Plus a través de esta promoción mantiene las características de la primera emisión en referencia a penalizaciones, validez, acumulación de Avios y derechos a servicios añadidos. Promoción válida solo para mayores de 12 años.
¿No ha soñado nunca con realizar un viaje en nuestra clase Business Plus?. Ahora como cliente Iberia Plus ponemos a su alcance todo el confort y la exclusividad de Business Plus, en su vuelo a TOKYO del día 04 de Diciembre. Si desea viajar en ella, hágalo por solo 500 € o 42000 Avios.
¿Cómo hacer el cambio de clase?
La mecánica es muy sencilla: responda este correo electrónico SIN BORRAR EL CUERPO DEL MENSAJE, indicando su nombre, número de tarjeta Iberia Plus y número de teléfono con prefijos hasta las 21:30 del día 25/11/2016, hora de España (Península).
¿Cómo me informo si viajo en Business Plus?
Iberia se pondrá en contacto con usted para informarle de la disponibilidad y en caso de ser factible, formalizar la reserva a partir de este miércoles día 23/11/2016, hasta el Viernes 25/11/2016 a las 21:30, hora de España (Península).
CONDICIONES: esta campaña está dirigida exclusivamente al destinatario de este correo, en el vuelo, fecha y precios indicados en la comunicación. Sujeto a la disponibilidad de la campaña. El pago podrá realizarse solamente en euros o dólares norteamericanos. Los billetes afectados por esta campaña serán sólo aquellos emitidos en una fecha anterior a la de recepción de este correo por parte del cliente. El nuevo billete emitido en Business Plus a través de esta promoción mantiene las características de la primera emisión en referencia a penalizaciones, validez, acumulación de Avios y derechos a servicios añadidos. Promoción válida solo para mayores de 12 años.
May 10, 2017, 11:17 pm
#7
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Here is that email in English
Dear client
We have some good news for you
At Iberia we want you to enjoy the comfort and exclusivity of our Business Plus class on your flight to MADRID on the 15 de Julio. If you want to travel in style now you can for just 500 €.
How to upgrade
It's simple: just reply to this e-mail WITHOUT ERASING THE MESSAGE BODY, indicating your name, booking reference number 6FUP23 and a telephone number (including area code) on which we can contact you until 9:30 PM 07/10/2015, Spanish local time (Peninsula).
How can I find out if I'm travelling in Business Plus?
Iberia will contact you with information regarding availability, and if it is possible to upgrade you, the booking will be confirmed from next Wednesday 07/08/2015, until next Friday 07/10/2015 at 9:30 PM Spanish local time (Peninsula).
If you are not yet an Iberia Plus client and want to accumulate Avios on this flight and enjoy the advantages of the Programme, please register here.
Yours sincerely,
We have some good news for you
At Iberia we want you to enjoy the comfort and exclusivity of our Business Plus class on your flight to MADRID on the 15 de Julio. If you want to travel in style now you can for just 500 €.
How to upgrade
It's simple: just reply to this e-mail WITHOUT ERASING THE MESSAGE BODY, indicating your name, booking reference number 6FUP23 and a telephone number (including area code) on which we can contact you until 9:30 PM 07/10/2015, Spanish local time (Peninsula).
How can I find out if I'm travelling in Business Plus?
Iberia will contact you with information regarding availability, and if it is possible to upgrade you, the booking will be confirmed from next Wednesday 07/08/2015, until next Friday 07/10/2015 at 9:30 PM Spanish local time (Peninsula).
If you are not yet an Iberia Plus client and want to accumulate Avios on this flight and enjoy the advantages of the Programme, please register here.
Yours sincerely,
Jun 18, 2018, 8:45 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,385
Since there seems to be some confusion about Iberia’s paid upgrades policies – and perhaps even some inconsistencies on the airline’s part – I thought I would pitch in with my recent experience.
Bought r/t MAD – ORD – MAD in turista, fare class S. Did not receive an email inviting me to bid or pay a flat fee for an upgrade.
At MAD, went to the customer service counter and asked if upgrades were for sale. Agent looked at my ticket, checked her system, and said “yes,” but she couldn’t tell me the price. She said check in to tourist first, then go to the business class counter to ask about upgrading. I skipped the tourist line and went directly to biz class counter and was quoted 325 euros to Business Class, 145 euros to premium economy. As we waited for my payment to go through I chatted with the agent, and learned (or at least had her take on) the following:
The IB marketing department decides who gets the e-mail offer to upgrade. She was not sure if this was random or directed at certain passengers or a certain profile. For those of you who have not received them, these emails normally ask 450 – 500 euros to upgrade on a long-haul flight.
The price at the airport is based on capacity, she said. I paid 325 euros, but on the return the price was 450 euros
The flight itself was a bit of a disappointment compared to other IB Biz Class flights I have taken. No one offered to hang up my blazer before takeoff or even when it sat on my lap for the first hour of the flight. Did get pre-flight drink but only one pass with the drinks cart for wine with lunch. Had to ask for a second glass of wine from the galley. Of course, crew disappears for most of the flight, but that is standard on IB and on many other airlines. If you need something, you have to track them down.
Altogether, not bad value, I think. Original ticket was +/- 800 euros r/t, so 400 + 345 = 745 o/w in business.
Bought r/t MAD – ORD – MAD in turista, fare class S. Did not receive an email inviting me to bid or pay a flat fee for an upgrade.
At MAD, went to the customer service counter and asked if upgrades were for sale. Agent looked at my ticket, checked her system, and said “yes,” but she couldn’t tell me the price. She said check in to tourist first, then go to the business class counter to ask about upgrading. I skipped the tourist line and went directly to biz class counter and was quoted 325 euros to Business Class, 145 euros to premium economy. As we waited for my payment to go through I chatted with the agent, and learned (or at least had her take on) the following:
The IB marketing department decides who gets the e-mail offer to upgrade. She was not sure if this was random or directed at certain passengers or a certain profile. For those of you who have not received them, these emails normally ask 450 – 500 euros to upgrade on a long-haul flight.
The price at the airport is based on capacity, she said. I paid 325 euros, but on the return the price was 450 euros
The flight itself was a bit of a disappointment compared to other IB Biz Class flights I have taken. No one offered to hang up my blazer before takeoff or even when it sat on my lap for the first hour of the flight. Did get pre-flight drink but only one pass with the drinks cart for wine with lunch. Had to ask for a second glass of wine from the galley. Of course, crew disappears for most of the flight, but that is standard on IB and on many other airlines. If you need something, you have to track them down.
Altogether, not bad value, I think. Original ticket was +/- 800 euros r/t, so 400 + 345 = 745 o/w in business.
Jun 19, 2018, 12:05 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jerusalem
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,281
As iberia plus member, they sometimes offer you upgrades via email, which you can choose to pay with money or with avios.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
In december they sent me emails for MAD-NRT and NRT-MAD, two weeks before each flight. The cost was 42.000 avios or 500€ per flight. Iberia.com was also showing the bidding option, starting from 400€ (IIRC). I didn't upgrade, so I can't help you more.
Last edited by Innocent Abroad; Jun 20, 2018 at 1:55 am
Jun 20, 2018, 2:00 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jerusalem
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,281
Interestingly enough, I was just offered an upgrade from Y to PE (on MAD-MEX) during OLCI. For 280 USD for the two of us it was a no-brainer.
Last edited by Innocent Abroad; Jun 20, 2018 at 6:27 am
Jun 20, 2018, 6:00 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
Jul 6, 2018, 9:47 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Manchester
Programs: Iberia Platinum, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 53
Paid upgrades
I’ve paid for those upgrades a couple of times. The best way is to book in PE (sometimes is even cheaper or just around 100 euros more) and then you can bid for around 180 euros (MAD-LIM) to J. You get all the benefits except tier points and avios (you get you paid for). The same is you receive the email or a call, they would offer something around that amount. From Y, usually around 350-400.
Jul 6, 2018, 2:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Manchester
Programs: Iberia Platinum, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 53