Global upgrade award for OneWorld?
 

Hello

Just crossed my mind that have any1 who knows OW in depth heard anything about global upgrade possibility with OW? F.eg. being an AA member and getting an upgrade for a BA flight with points...Now it's only possible within different specific FF schemes/carriers, I suppose?

IMO it would make nice value to the alliance, any comments?

Complicated accounting, valuing so many upgrades on so many routes.

Perceived risk of reduction in revenue to the alliance.

It would be a great feature, and I'd relish it. But I'm not holding my breath.

I agree with your points but still they give us the chance to have an award flight with another OW carrier also in the premium cabins so I don't think these revenue recognition / different points etc. problems are the real reason behind this?

When AA issues upgrades on CX (soon to be discountinued), I'm told there's a reasonably complicated procedure involving ticket reissuance, a miscellaneous charges order, etc. Combining the fare the pax paid with the AAdvantage contribution (in support of the upgrade) does seem more complicated to me than a straight-up award ticket in a premium cabin (for which payment comes only from, say, AAdvantage; save for taxes).

Again, I don't want to say that this is the way it should be -- I think the paperwork is abominable, and I too would love to see more upgrade opportunities. But, being realistic, I'm just not hopeful.

You should note that the only airline programme that has the most upgrades and on a oneway basis (helpful if you're on RTW tickets) is ASIAMILES.

AA permits upgrades only on CX and only when booked in J class, and on a roundtrip basis.

BA doesn't offer any upgrades as yet.

CX's ASIAMILES can offer upgrades on CX, AA, BA on most fares including RTWs and they can issue oneway upgrades too.

Trouble is getting enough points in ASIAMILES for the upgrades.

Yep, good arguments. Let's hope this will turn out to be true one day!

Done so for at least 2 years in the N.Am./U.S./Canadian programme.

BA's upgrade scheme is only good for certain fares originating from North America on the North American programme. And it has to be roundtrip.

CX's Asiamiles permit upgrades on any BA route originating from anywhere, and on most fares even discounted ones. It also permits oneway upgrades.


[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 05-18-2003).]