Just letting off steam

[Lyn]

I checked prices on BA this morning for 2 people travelling Jan.13 Economy came in at £987.52. Economy out and Prem.Economy back came in at £1321.52. Right I thought I could go out Economy and come back Prem.Econamy using Avios for the upgrade. I would have thought that would have been £987.52 + Avios, no, it came in at £1357.52 + 25000 Avios, that's more expensive than paying cash for it, how can that be right. I thought I would give them a ring to check it out, after listening to music and going through a number of options was told "we are experiencing a high level of calls and the wait time is 45 minutes" So not booked yet!!

[Snapper]

But your call *is* important to them [msnwink]

[Jill]

But your call *is* important to them [msnwink]

Of course it is they would not have you think anything else!

[Katys Grandad]

Unfortunately, the figures are probably right because only certain economy fare classes are upgradeable with Avios so what you're seeing is the economy fare element rising when you request the upgrade.

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

[Lyn]

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

Now theres a plan. Back to BAs I go.

[bargainqueen]

Unfortunately, the figures are probably right because only certain economy fare classes are upgradeable with Avios so what you're seeing is the economy fare element rising when you request the upgrade.

A much better deal would be to buy the WT outbound with the WT+ return with cash and use the 25k Avios to upgrade to Club. Unlike economy fares, all WT+ classes are upgradeable.

We would like to book for Febuary next year and use our 26k+ Avios points from 2 previous Club flights to get cheaper price. Can we still do that by booking WT+ in a sale or has it changed since the move over to Avios. Can we do this on-line or do we have to do it via phone?

[Katys Grandad]

Sorry to be thick, are you referring to upgrading or using Avios plus cash?

[bargainqueen]

Sorry to be thick, are you referring to upgrading or using Avios plus cash?

My fault for not making my question clearer. What we would like to do is book WT+ and use the Avios points (26016) to upgrade to Club. I can remember you said this was the best way to use them but that was before they changed to Avios. So I wondered if it was still possible and how what would be the best way to proceed.

Our last trip out we used our Virgin Miles and that took some time to organize, dates kept changing but then that's probably because there are fewer seats in Upper Class.

At the moment the Lowest Fares in Premium (WT+) is around £900 or do I have to use the Flexible price as a guide to cost of ticket to use for upgrade?

[Katys Grandad]

I think you are right. I've just realised that no matter what time of year you go the charge is the same i.e. booking with B/A is more expensive in August because of the school holidays than say October. With Avios it's the same.

Am I correct?
Keith

You're spot on. It's not the case with many of the other airline programmes but BA's redemption figures are constant. As we all know too well, that doesn't mean it's easy to find availability especially at peak times.

My fault for not making my question clearer. What we would like to do is book WT+ and use the Avios points (26016) to upgrade to Club. I can remember you said this was the best way to use them but that was before they changed to Avios. So I wondered if it was still possible and how what would be the best way to proceed.

Our last trip out we used our Virgin Miles and that took some time to organize, dates kept changing but then that's probably because there are fewer seats in Upper Class.

At the moment the Lowest Fares in Premium (WT+) is around £900 or do I have to use the Flexible price as a guide to cost of ticket to use for upgrade?

No problem during sale times because although the fares fall, the fare class remains the same. You don't quite get a completely cash-free upgrade because BA add a (relatively) small surcharge but I still think they're the best value redemption option and you don't have to pay any extra APD on an outbound flight because you're already in a Premium cabin. You need to be quick off the mark - I've found that Tampa flights tend to be cheaper in WT+ sales and the upgrade availability is better. WT+ LGW-TPA has been around £760 in recent sales. Flexibility on dates certainly helps and I think you have a decent chances on finding something at that time of year.

I've assumed you have a BA Executive Club account where you can check current availability. Rule of thumb is if there is a Club award available then there is also upgrade from WT+. If you don't have an account, you can enrol for free on ba.com. You can select the lowest fare option when searching because all WT+ fares are upgradeable and it can all be done online.

EDIT - I just had a look at February availability. Decent opportunities to both MCO & TPA outbound between about 3 & 12 February but nothing then until early March (I'm guessing that's to do with half term). Of course, no guarantee they'll still be there come sale time.

[bargainqueen]

I've been trying again and now it's showing Club World and £1,000.46, but as per norm with reward flights we can't get the dates we want. Back to the drawing board!