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Answers (10)

Can’t upgrade BA AARP flights with avios?

Can’t upgrade BA AARP flights with avios?

  1. NewToMiles New Member

    Hi all,

    I bought a biz class ticket with the BA AARP discount only (not the 10% Chase discount). The flight availability opened up for First class and I confirmed with the agent. Then transferred the ultimate rewards over to avios and told him to hang on a second. Then he said he wasn’t able to upgrade with avios because BA never allows you to upgrade discounted flights with avios. I asked to speak to the manager and he said the same thing. Is that true? If so, do I have any recourse since I specifically confirmed with the agent before moving the avios over?

    Thanks!

  2. MidSouthSkier Community Ambassador

    I’m guessing the agent just didn’t notice at first which fare class your ticket is in. Here’s a quote from Lucky’s post about [URL=’http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/09/20/upgrade-british-airways-avios/’]using Avios for upgrades[/URL] last year:

    [I]For British Airways flights, [B]you’ll need to book into the following fare classes to upgrade[/B] to the next level of service:

    [/I]
    [LIST]
    [*][I]Economy H, B, Y[/I]
    [*][I]Premium Economy T, E, W[/I]
    [*][I]Business I, R, D, C, J[/I]
    [/LIST]
    [I]
    These are in order, so an “H” economy fare should be the least expensive, while a “J” business fare is typically the priciest.[/I]

    If your purchased ticket was not in one of the upgradeable fare classes then I don’t think there’s anything you can do.

  3. NewToMiles New Member

    Maybe a noob question, how do I check what class of ticket it is. Searched BA and the eticket, couldn’t find it.
    Are there other Biz classes that aren’t upgradeable?

  4. NewToMiles New Member

    Never mind. I found it. It’s fare class I, which should be upgradable…?

  5. JustinB New Member

    The fare code should be visible in Manage My Booking but generally the AARP discount fares are I. The upgrade should be available so I would just call again and see if a different CSR could assist. I booked a flight this past January same as you and was able to clear the upgrade to First.

  6. Anonymous Guest

    Yep, I’ve done it before as well. If there is upgrade availability in First, and your ticket was issued on BA stock, and you are booked in an eligible fare class, there should be no reason why you can’t upgrade.

    If this is a change, it’s a BIG one.

  7. Luis Diamond

    [QUOTE=”Tiffany, post: 18921, member: 7″]Yep, I’ve done it before as well. If there is upgrade availability in First, and your ticket was issued on BA stock, and you are booked in an eligible fare class, there should be no reason why you can’t upgrade.

    If this is a change, it’s a BIG one.[/QUOTE]

    [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] Is upgrade availability same as award availability? Meaning if there’s no first class award space, that means a business class ticket can’t be upgraded?

    How many avios does it cost to upgrade from US to Europe to first class? What about fees?

  8. MidSouthSkier Community Ambassador

    [USER=111]@Luis[/USER] the upgrade & awards use the same fare bucket so your statement is correct: if there is no F award space, there’s no upgrade space.

    With Avios, the cost in miles is the difference in the business class price and the first class price. [URL=’http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flight-calculator/public/en_gb’]Use their award calculator[/URL] to determine the difference. Remember that each segment is priced separately. Since you’ve already paid the taxes for a business class ticket I don’t think there should be a huge difference in the taxes & fees portion.

  9. Anonymous Guest

    [USER=111]@Luis[/USER] — This post might be helpful: [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/09/20/upgrade-british-airways-avios/[/URL]

  10. NewToMiles New Member

    Thanks all. I tried calling again, this time the agent had a different response. The first agent was just very misinformed.

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