UC Award vs upgrade?
 

So I'm thinking of using VS miles for next year's New Year's trip, will it be better to use 100K for VS UC award or buy an upgradeable ticket and use 60K VS miles to upgrade? It comes out of the same inventory right so availability should be the same? Also if one upgrades is the fuel-surchage based on the UC ticket or the original ticket? Any idea of the type of $ I would be looking at for an upgradeable ticket around New Year's?

Thanks.

Hi SF1K,

Where are you planning on flying to? ( are we taking about Jan 2009?)

If IIRC to upgrade from Premium Economy ( 40k) you would need an S class PE ticket or above ( the lowest PE fare is K) or 60k from Economy ( Y,B,L I think) which can be expensive

At New Year there are often Upper Class sales for the period Jan to March which makes paying cash for a Upper Class ticket more worthwhile.

Regards

TBS

I tend to go down the Y,B,L route.

London to WestCoast USA I tend to pay around £750 (fare+taxes and fees).

You will pay the UC fuel surcharge as part of your fare.

As to what is best for you, i think it depends on how highly you value a flying club mile. When calcutlating remember your Y,B,L ticket will earn economy mileage + status bonus, so the true cost is less than 60k miles, for the west coast you earn a minimum of ~10K miles + status miles + tier points (if you need them).