Just letting off steam

[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]

Thanks for the info KG, I've just logged into my BA Exec account and tried to book flights to test availability. I don't know if I did it correctly, I logged into the Book and Upgrade screen and put WT+ into the prompt as that's what i want to pay for and then use Avios points to upgrade to Club. I've had to go back to 6/12/13 as there are 3 of us and some flights only have availability for less.
When I went through with my sibgle ticket it came up with a price £929.46 + 25k Avios but it only shows a WT+ ticket not a Club World so I'm not sure if that's correct.
I'm going to have to do it via phone as all 3 of us have the same amount of Avios points but I just wanted to know if the way the screen shows it is correct so that I have a base price to go on. It's got to be worth the long wait on phone, if it is the price above then I'd rather pay that now and know I've got the tickets rather than wait to save 200 in a sale.

[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!

[Katys Grandad]

I've sent a DM.