If you’re a member of British Airways Executive Club, you may be interested in upgrading your flights with Avios. While Avios can be redeemed for a variety of things, upgrading flights is one of the most popular ways to use them. But which fare classes are eligible for upgrades, and how does the process work? In this article, we’ll answer those questions and more.
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Eligible Fare Classes for Upgrades
Upgrades with Avios can be applied to British Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia flights. However, the fare classes that are eligible for upgrades vary by airline. Here’s a breakdown of eligible fare classes for each airline:
- World Traveller (economy) – Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, or Q
- World Traveller Plus (premium economy) – W or T
- Club World (business class) – J, C, D, R, or I
American Airlines
Upgrades are available on most American Airlines marketed and operated flights.
- Generally, upgrades can be applied to Main Cabin (economy) fares Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, and N.
- You must have a confirmed booking in an eligible economy fare class.
- Upgrades are not available on Basic Economy fares.
- You can upgrade from Main Cabin (Economy) to Business/First.
Iberia
Eligible fare classes for upgrades depend on the route and aircraft.
- Upgrades are available on most Iberia-marketed and operated flights.
- You must have a confirmed booking in an eligible economy fare class.
- Upgrades are not available on Economy Light fares.
- You can upgrade from Economy to Business.
How does ‘Upgrade Using Avios’ work?
Once you’ve determined that your fare class is eligible for a British Airways upgrade, you can begin the process of upgrading with Avios.
Without stating the obvious, you need to have enough points in your Executive Club account to cover the cost of the upgrade. The number of Avios required for an upgrade depends on the route, fare class, and cabin you’re upgrading to.
Here’s how it works:
- Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account and navigate to the “Upgrade Using Avios” page.
- Enter your flight details and select the flight you wish to upgrade.
- If the flight is eligible for an upgrade, you’ll see the number of Avios required for the upgrade displayed on the screen.
- Select the upgrade option and enter your payment details.
- If the upgrade is successful, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
Things to Note about British Airways Upgrades
Here are a few things you need to know
Can I Upgrade British Airways Flights by More Than One Category?
No, you can only upgrade your British Airways flight by one category. For example, if you’re booked in Premium Economy, you can upgrade to Business Class, but you cannot upgrade from Premium Economy directly to First Class.
Tickets Issued on 125 Stock
It’s important to note that upgrades can only be applied to tickets issued on 125 stock. This means that if your ticket was issued by British Airways, American Airlines, or Iberia, it should be eligible for upgrades using Avios. However, if your ticket was issued by another airline, it may not be eligible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, upgrading your British Airways flight is a great way to enjoy added comfort and luxury. However, it’s important to understand the specific fare classes that are eligible for upgrades and the process for upgrading. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be on your way to a more comfortable and luxurious flying experience.
