• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  British Airways • Upgrades  >  Paid Upgrades At The Gate On British Airways
British AirwaysUpgrades

Paid Upgrades At The Gate On British Airways

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 19, 2018December 19, 2018 20 Comments

Some airlines are aggressive at hawking upgrades, others do so in a more subtle way.

I flew British Airways in economy class from Los Angeles to London last week. Just for kicks, I asked a gate agent if any upgrades were available for purchase. She responded in the affirmative.

From economy class, an upgrade to both World Traveler Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class) were available.

  • World Traveler Plus – $295
  • Club World – $1395

Flying in premium economy or regular economy makes no difference for me in terms of being able to sleep. But even if it did, flying in economy class was my punishment for leaving my passport at home. There was no way I was going to treat myself to an upgrade on this particular flight.

The $1395 for business is rather steep, but not horrible if you scored a very cheap economy class ticket. 

I do not fly British Airways on a regular basis, so I do not know whether this pricing is standard or variable based upon flight date and loads. 

In any case, a woman standing nearby overheard me, came up to the desk, and immediacy upgraded to premium economy. It seems BA should do a better job of broadcasting the availability of upgrades for purchase…

CONCLUSION

The point of this past was just to provide a data point for those who might be wondering if you can upgrade on BA. It always pays to ask at the check-in counter and again at the gate. 

Considering the miles and fuel surcharge required to redeem miles on British Airways, $1395 for business class it not too terrible.

Previous Article A Warning To Air Italy
Next Article United Announces 11 New Routes From Four Hubs

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • British Airways upgrade

    British Airways Systemwide Upgrades Worse For American Airlines

    September 18, 2022
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred card

    Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Most Valuable Feature

    August 22, 2021
  • American Airlines Offering International Upgrades to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elites

    November 29, 2020

20 Comments

  1. AdamR Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 9:59 am

    This seems to be not uncommon just not widely publicized. In 2015 I was in Y on a gov’t fare SFO-LHR. I don’t remember the fare code but presume it was full-fare, because USF. Inquired at check-in about space-available upgrades to J. Check-in agent confirmed there was an option to jump to Y for $998 or something just shy of $1,000. Booked it on the spot. So this seems to be a practice that’s available just not advertised. Plus, never hurts to ask; the worst they can say is “no”.

    • AdamR Reply
      December 19, 2018 at 9:59 am

      because USG*

  2. Richard Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 10:05 am

    My experience of BA is them asking for silly prices. But when the I class BA fare for a round trip on that flight is 5 grand, 1395 to upgrade, and on the overnight leg, is actually a sensible offer, perhaps even a good deal.

  3. LAXJeff Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 10:10 am

    $295 for PE is a steal. Given your situation I also would have been hesitant to pay any extra after the fact

  4. MeanMeosh Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Personally I would have paid the $295 for WT+ in a heartbeat, but I get that PE doesn’t add value for you.

    AF does something similar, though they typically call you about a week before departure to hawk upgrades. I want to say Y to J is usually around $1,000. A couple of years ago, AA offered to sell me a Y to J upgrade from NRT to DFW at the check-in kiosk for about $800 (I really should have jumped on that, and still kick myself for not doing so). So if BA wanted $1,395, that’s a little on the high side, but not outrageously so. I agree, though, they really should be more aggressive about offering purchased upgrades, at the gate and/or check-in.

  5. Kerry Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 11:09 am

    I believe the pricing is variable based on load factors, and dates, as you mention. You can also do this online, but it seems to be cheaper at the airport. On a recent LHR-GRU flight I was offered the chance at check-in to upgrade from WT+ to J for 700GBP which I thought was pretty good value for a 12-hr overnight flight, they definitely should let people know more widely this option exists.

  6. Mick Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 11:11 am

    I did $899 at the airport for Ord to munich on Lufthansa. My economy return fare was $450 direct so all in pretty good. I had to ask.

    Just got my upgrade bid accepted for etihad $1350 from Ord to auh tonight. Long flight but poor business class in my opinion (777).

    Good way for airlines not to undercut business travelers but still fill the premium cabins (Ie no employed business traveler will take the risk so company has to pay the $5-7k)

  7. Mr G Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 11:20 am

    Flying from IAD to LHR on 8/31 I upgraded to Premium Economy for $225 as all the aisle seats in economy had been taken. I was able to get an aisle seat in Premium Economy.

    Unfortunately on my return flight three weeks later no upgrades or even aisle seats were available.

    Last year when I flew Austrian from IAD to VIE I upgraded to Premium Economy for $129 (holiday special) however it wasn’t the full Premium Economy experience and I complained after the trip and was given a €50 voucher for any future flight.

  8. Dan Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 11:35 am

    When flying business to London from Miami, the agent offered a first upgrade unprompted. It was for 800 euros. Not worth it for me tho.

  9. Potreroflyr Reply
    December 19, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    There’s a whole Flyertalk thread about BA Airport Upgrades: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1887495-airport-upgrades-aup-promotion-2018-thread.html

    A couple of years ago I scored a pretty amazing deal — 209 GBP to upgrade a (cheap) premium economy ticket LHR-BKK. That’s about $250 for upgrading an 11 hr flight to Club World!

  10. Peter Reply
    December 20, 2018 at 4:45 am

    From ORD-LHR it was $268 to WT+ and I believe just under $1000 to Club World, that was just over a month ago. Club World on that flight was probably 1/4 full.

  11. Jon G Reply
    December 20, 2018 at 5:27 am

    I bought a lie flat seat for 100 Euro at check-in on a $169 Primera Air flight from Paris to Newark. The flight was a few hours late and no food or amenities, but the benefit of that night’s proper sleep were felt for the rest of the week. I’m a strictly budget leisure traveler so that was likely my once in a lifetime chance to sleep flat and not across three seats.

  12. Ethan G Reply
    December 20, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    500 GBP to upgrade from Club World to First from LHR-IAD a few years back. Did it as a splurge.

    • GB Reply
      November 11, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      I was offered economy to club world for less than $800 at Dulles, last year. Not a bad deal considering it was a mileage award ticket.

  13. Mike S Reply
    July 17, 2019 at 11:02 am

    At check in British Airways offered me an upgrade from Business to First for $230 on PHX-LHR in March 2019. I did not have to ask

    • Matthew Reply
      July 17, 2019 at 11:03 am

      That’s an incredible deal. Were you on a full-fare business class ticket?

  14. josh Reply
    August 20, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    Great thread, was looking for this answer. I fly Lax-LHR in three weeks and the LHR-DFW. I’m in economy and will do just about anything to get into business. Company pays for economy, my own ticket would be the upgrade which is worth it so I can sleep for big meeting. Wish you could do it at gate for round trip. Wonder if economy to first is even a doable sell for them while at gate.

  15. Aaron Fung Reply
    November 7, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    I was flying on an American codeshare from ORD to LHR the other day. Had a Premium Economy ticket (class W) and was offered an upgrade to business (Club World) for $581. I took it. Didn’t sleep enough but that wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own – and the lay flat bed on the upper deck of the 747 was quite comfortable.

    • Matthew Reply
      November 7, 2019 at 6:15 pm

      Not bad.

  16. Jason Reply
    December 10, 2019 at 8:11 pm

    Last year flew J on Avios SFO-LHR. At the lounge, they were offering upgrades to First Class for $500 each. I didn’t take it because based on my previous experience flying BA First I did not think it was worth it. As much as I dislike BA Business Class, it was good enough for me.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Review: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea January 28, 2023
  • American - Delta JFK Incident Pilot Analysis
    A Veteran Commercial Airline Pilot Analyzes American – Delta Runway Incident At JFK January 28, 2023
  • Pre-Boarding With Children: How Old Until They Are Too Old? January 27, 2023
  • Dog Business Class Turkish Airlines
    Dachshund Flies Business Class To Paris…In Her Own Seat January 27, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Casting Couch? Kuwait Airways Forces Prospective Flight Attendants To Undress For “Research Purposes” January 4, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • SWISS First Class Awards Bookable With United Airlines MileagePlus January 5, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023

Archives

January 2023
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Dec    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.