Best (i.e. cheapest) way to upgrade

I'm hoping to draw on the collective knowledge of you seasoned travellers for a moment...

I'm planning to take a trip to New York next May and I have 20000 FC points so if all works out I was planning to book some upgradeable PE tickets and use the miles to upgrade to UC.

However the other day I got the email about the points sale so it has me wondering whether it would work out any cheaper to buy an extra 20000 miles so that I'd just need to buy upgradeable Y tickets for the trip then do a two-cabin miles upgrade on both legs.

I realise that it's purely speculation at the moment because ticket prices and availability fluctuate constantly but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Neil]

I guess it will come down to the price difference between an L (lowest upgradable Y fare) and a S (lowest upgradable PE fare). I imagine by the time you have bought some miles there won't be much in it, the only issue you have is the buy miles offer will have ended before flights are released for your dates, and any potential miles seats have been released.

Personally, I wouldn't use miles on the NYC route, as I think it offers poor value with the flights being so short, especially the outbound when the PE seat is a very good 'day seat'. Of course YMMV.

Upgradable PE tickets usually come out at lowest 1400 quid, upgradable Y tickets lowest about 700 quid. I value bought miles at 150 quid per 10K, so it would be 700 + 300 + taxes (190 quid before), so 1.2K for a Y upgraded, and 1400 + taxes (usually about 90 I think)., so near 1500K for PE upgraded. PE upgraded though, you get about 15K miles, vs 7K miles from the bought ticket...

Thats just a rough guide, compared to a recent JFK upgrade...

Do note however, that I think the upgradable tickets and upgradable seats aren't available until 11 months in advance (330 days?), so you'll not be able to do this for next year yet. You have to make sure that you have both the upgradable ticket available, and theres a reward seat available before you book it...

James!

The difference between an L (upgradeable economy) and an S (upgradeable premium economy) to NYC is usually around £500. The differential decreases a bit in peak periods, in my experience, but not all that much.

So given that you can buy 20k miles for £270 in the current sale, upgrading from economy would generally be more cost-effective -- but (health warning) check the exact fares for the dates you wish to travel.

If you upgrade to UC then you also need to pay the difference in tax and fuel surcharge between UC and the cabin you are upgrading from -- doing this from economy rather than premium economy costs an additional £65. The cost from premium is already £106.

I strongly advise that you call the UC line, as they can give you prices for these fares quite quickly. That way you can easily work out the exact answer for your dates. They will also be able to let you know about reward seat availability -- although generally speaking on the NYC route this should not be too much of a problem.

Good luck!

Personally I'd keep hoarding the miles and use them for a longer flight in UC. The PE product is more than adequate (in my opinion) for the 7hour flight westbound, and if you get the daylight VS18 eastbound there are no worries with sleeping etc.

Just my 2 cents, can always see the appeal of UC though.

Personally I'd keep hoarding the miles and use them for a longer flight in UC. The PE product is more than adequate (in my opinion) for the 7hour flight westbound, and if you get the daylight VS18 eastbound there are no worries with sleeping etc.

Just my 2 cents, can always see the appeal of UC though.

Not forgetting that the UC upgrade carries Clubhouse access with it...something those of us who will nevereverever get AU status may value highly

I would buy the PE ticket then if the upgrade is not available at least you are not stuck in the back.

I'm not Gold and will likely never be. I just roll up at T3 between 90-120 mins before and 'suevive' the hour or so in T3. There are some quieter spots in the terminal if you look.

Thanks for the insightful replies everyone!

To add a little more context; I only fly one every couple of years at the most so collecting miles isn't a priority and I have them to spend so I figured I may as well spend them.

Having been treated to a guest pass into the Clubhouse I would willingly pay extra for the privilege, along with all the other perks of UC travel of course.

Perhaps I'll split the difference and just upgrade one leg and just buy a non-upgradeable PE ticket for the other. I'll just have to be patient and put a call in once the tickets are released.

Perhaps I'll split the difference and just upgrade one leg and just buy a non-upgradeable PE ticket for the other. I'll just have to be patient and put a call in once the tickets are released.

This sounds like a good idea. Book an UC trip from LHR to get the full CH experience, then perhaps the cheapest PE ticket back on the VS18.

Perhaps I'll split the difference and just upgrade one leg and just buy a non-upgradeable PE ticket for the other. I'll just have to be patient and put a call in once the tickets are released.

I thought I heard mention that the return leg has to have the same fare code, so if you want an upgradable fare outwards (L for instance), you have to have one back.

I've no idea if you buy a cheapie now, then phone up to pay the difference to upgrade one leg, if thats any better.

But again, I state, you'll not be getting those seats a year early, wait till late June and then start looking at this. Of course the bonus miles sale might have gone by then. But I don't think you can get L's or see if there is Upper reward availability until 335 (330?) days before the flight... Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Basically, 11 months...

Book an UC trip from LHR to get the full CH experience, then perhaps the cheapest PE ticket back on the VS18.

I agree -- this is an excellent combination.

I thought I heard mention that the return leg has to have the same fare code, so if you want an upgradable fare outwards (L for instance), you have to have one back.

I don't think this is quite right -- e.g. you can have an S outwards and a K return --

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I think the issue is that you can't force the system to book you into those differing classes (unless they would happen to be offered in any case as the cheapest fares) -- you need to phone.

Excellent, thanks all!

I'll give the FC helpline a call at the end of June and let them work out the logistics for me.