Booking with miles!

I've decided to use my 50k off miles this November for a trip to the states.

If I use miles to upgrade do I then have to pay additional taxes?

I worked out that the difference in tax between Y and J is about £200.
I also know that I have to book in a specified class too.

Or for November should I wait for a sale?

My planned route is over to East Coast then return from Orlando.
Also aware that my dates overlap thanksgiving in US so that might make things busy!

Assuming your initial booking is in Y yes you will have to pay the additional APD on the ex-UK leg. (the rate for PE and UC is the same)

This is double the ordinary (Y) rate.

For USA/Canada it will be an extra £67.

What about fuel surcharges on an upgraded fare?

yes - that will be the balance of the £200.

There is no escape from YQ !

So by my calculations, is it reasonable that I can fly in UC with 40k miles and approx £800?

If that is the price of one of of a Y,B,R,L,U,M econ fare (preferably an M! as that is cheapest) + the extra APD and YQ then yes.

Thanks!

Thanks!

Pleasure Billy!

Hey Billy

I just looked, an M return to JFK in Nov is £606 of which the tax/surcharge is £357. You will likely have difficulty using miles to fly back from MCO, looking today there's just one G on 20/11. Loads of G's though ex JFK. None from Chicago. Remember if you do return from MCO you need 25k miles not 20k. The extra tax/surcharge for UC seems to be £173 (based on a dummy JFK booking)

Cheers
James

Hey Billy

I just looked, an M return to JFK in Nov is £606 of which the tax/surcharge is £357. You will likely have difficulty using miles to fly back from MCO, looking today there's just one G on 20/11. Loads of G's though ex JFK. None from Chicago. Remember if you do return from MCO you need 25k miles not 20k. The extra tax/surcharge for UC seems to be £173 (based on a dummy JFK booking)

Cheers
James

Thanks - I noticed the issue with G's on inbound. But I suppose I could check every day after booking. Maybe a flight home from Miami would fit better.

Thanks - I noticed the issue with G's on inbound. But I suppose I could check every day after booking. Maybe a flight home from Miami would fit better.

Miami = LHR = Revivals !

Billy, you'll definitely stand a far better chance of getting G's on LHR a/c as there are over 40 UC seats compared to just 14 on the LGW fleet.

Ah thanks for that. I really want to do an Amtrak trip down the East Coast, but also, have a long UC flight too. Of course the dates I have picked coincide with Thanksgiving!