Does anyone have an idea why it costs so much more to ticket everything together?

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Sure: any single BAEC redemption utilizing two or more BAEC partner carriers automatically triggers BAEC's multi-partner redemption chart, which is similar to AA's recently discontinued "Explorer" award redemption chart. The difference is that AA would price your award itinerary at the cheaper of the "Explorer" rate, and the rate obtained by combining several one-way awards. BAEC automatically charges the multi-partner rate on such redemptions.

You can avoid the multi-partner rate by booking separate BAEC awards, but by doing so, you lose protection in the event of IRROPS (unless your "connection" is between AA and another oneworld carrier, in which case AA would protect you).

As for why BAEC automatically charges the multi-partner redemption rate in all such cases -- even when that rate is higher than a series of one-way redemptions -- I have no idea.

OP, since you are based in the UK, it might make sense to invest in both BA & AA. You mentioned credit card use, put that towards BA and your flights to AA. I remember reading something about rumors of RFS for long haul flights in economy on BA metal with Avios.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I thought I should update with a follow up.

I was as expected unable to use my avios to upgrade my WT+ to club for the return leg from Singapore. What made this particularly annoying was that at check in I was offered the chance to pay for an upgrade as there were spare seats, and I did see empty club seats once the flight was boarded. That stinks, it really does - empty seats yet they won't allow a points upgrade.


On the way back, I got off in London instead of completing the full flight back to Glasgow, though that leg was fully paid for. Interestingly, as I didn't take that last flight, I didn't get credited my avios which left me 5 points short of Silver status - even though the flight was paid.

I have now made silver by flying to London.

I am booked in WT+ to go to Japan, and once again, there is ZERO possibility of using my points for an upgrade. I phoned to discuss, but was told to check back daily in the event something may come up. It's just unacceptable to expect someone to phone in daily to see if an upgrade is available. Sometimes the wait is half an hour to even get through.

So, I am still with BA, I am silver, I am collecting avios on car hire, hotels and I just got the BA AMEX card.

I expect I'll have more than a few points then, but from where I am right now, I don't see BA ever allowing an upgrade, so I still hold my opinion that BA avios is an empty, useless programme.

It's the airline equivalent of Monty Python's cheese shop sketch.

I feel your pain. The counterargument is that BA doesn't gain very much by letting you upgrade against the chance that it might sell those seats...and there is a strong philosophy at BA (and others, including LH) that CW shouldn't be filled to the gills with Avios upgrades at the airport. It discourages people from buying CW tickets in the first place. I have a (reasonably recent) email from a senior BA executive I know well basically spelling this out.

Actually, that's pretty much a universal truth of airline FF programmes. You don't fly the leg, you don't get the points/miles. If it were otherwise, imagine how many people would book cheap and ridiculous itineraries they never intend to fly, purely for status.

You can check online each day. It takes all of about five minutes.

No one around the BA board is super happy, but no one ever will be, I suspect. I wish there were better ways for me to use my millions as well.

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