Should I use British Airways miles (actually they call them points) to upgrade to First Class on BA or for ‘Free’ First Class Awards?
This special report at a glance:
- When to use BA’s Avios points for free First Class award tickets
- When to use Avios points to upgrade to First Class
- What to do if you don’t have Avios points
- When not to use points
- Easy booking instructions
Agatha Christie would have loved this situation:
Intrigue, exotic locales, and an unexpected plot twist.
Do you always travel First Class, Mr. Hardman? Yes, sir. The firm pays my travel expenses. He winked.
—Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express
When there are points to burn, most flyers opt to use them for a free flight. But here’s the twist: it’s not always the best option. Depending on the circumstances, you may find that using points to upgrade to First Class is a much better value proposition.
But how do you know?
You simply read our British Airways Avios points rules of thumb below. Case closed.
When to use Avios Points for Free Mileage AwardS
Scenario #1: Travel on short notice
Let’s say you only have two weeks advance notice and are traveling from Washington, DC to London. Immediately, you’re faced with a $9,500+ First Class ticket price.
A “free” mileage ticket will cost you 136,000 to 200,00 Avios points (depending on season and route) and about $1,300+ in award taxes. Yes, those taxes are rather high, but you are saving up to $8,200 in cash. That means your return on miles is about six cents, which is a decent return. For more about how to calculate when to use your miles go here.
Scenario #2: You have a Wembley Stadium full of Avios points
If you have more miles than you know what to do with, or even credit card points, why sit on them? Cash them in for a free First Class award. It’s been rumored that BA will devalue Avios next year. Spend now.
Scenario #3: When First Class mileage award prices are lower on British Airways to Europe
British Airways mileage cost varies by season and flight distance, and ranges from 136,000 Avios points (off-peak season) from the East Coast to 200,000 (peak season) from the West Coast. (Other airlines, such as American, Lufthansa, and United, charge 160,000 to 170,000 miles, so depending on when you travel and the route, the savings can be up to 34,000 miles.)
When to use Avios Points to Upgrade
Scenario #1: When you need to maintain elite status
For American elites, flying on British Airways in Business Class earns 125% base miles, 1.50 EQMs (Elite Qualifying Miles), and 25% EQDs (Elite Qualifying Dollars).
Scenario #2: Miles needed for an upgrade are fewer than a free award ticket
To upgrade on BA to London from Business Class to First, the airline charges from 22,500 Avios points (off-peak) to 25,000 (peak) one-way from Los Angeles, and 18,000 (off-peak) to 20,000 (peak) from New York. It costs even fewer Avios points if you figure in the points earned on the trip. Plus, BA does not charge a co-pay for upgrades; American’s and United’s are $1,100.
Scenario #3: When you come across low Business Class fares
For example, BA’s fare from Boston to London at $2,467 would require 36,000 points round-trip to upgrade to First Class, with NO co-pay. Plus, add in the AARP $200 discount for Business Class travel and your fare drops down to $2,266. That’s very good value as First Class fares on this route start at $4,707.
Scenario #4: When you want to travel beyond London, and only want First Class on the long-haul segment
If you are traveling within Europe, British Airways does not offer a First Class cabin, so you can only upgrade the long-haul segment into London on your paid Business Class ticket and fly intra-Europe in Business Class.
Scenario #5: Avoid high award taxes
One major complaint about the BA miles program, as with other European mileage programs, is that free mileage award tickets have high award taxes—$1,300+. You avoid that with an upgrade to First Class.
No British Airways miles? No problem.
British Airways not only gives you the option to buy miles (up to 100,000), but it’s also a credit card transfer point partner with three programs: Amex Rewards, Chase, and Starwood/Marriott.
With Amex Rewards you can even buy up to 500,000 points.
When NOT to Use Avios Points
Scenario #1: When BA is offering low First Class fares
Last month FCF did a report on British Airways low First Class fares to Europe (details here). Both a free mileage award and an upgrade would be of little value when you have low First Class fares.
Scenario #2: When Business Class fares are high, an upgrade with Avios points to First Class would not be the best value
Take Washington, DC, to London: The lowest Business Class fare with a two-week advance purchase starts at $8,363. Plus, it would require 36,000 Avios points round-trip (off-peak travel dates). For 100,000 miles more, you would save the cost of the Business Class ticket, minus the award taxes ($1,300), which is a savings of $7,000. Here, a free award ticket is a much better value.
How to book
Free award tickets: Simply log in to BA online here and book the space under the “Book with Avios” header. Or if you prefer, you can also call (800) 452-1201.
Upgrade award request: To upgrade with points when you book your flight, use the “book and upgrade” header, search for availability, and make your booking. The option will show “Book with money and upgrade with Avios.” Here you can select either one-way or round-trip upgrades. Select the class of travel you want to upgrade from when searching.
Note that BA’s inventory for free mileage award travel and upgrades comes from the same bucket, meaning the same inventory.