How to upgrade with Avios

Words: Hannah Ralph

With the lures of a cosy fully-flat bed (we were the first airline to introduce a lie-flat business class seat – the more you know, eh?), the thrill of sparkling, seemingly endless fizz and bigger seatback screens, a cabin upgrade has never been more tempting. 

What will upgrading get me?

Depending on the cabin you choose, upgrading unlocks all the aforementioned perks, plus dedicated check-in areas, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, access to our global network of lounges (when upgrading to Club World and First) and enhanced meal service on specially printed menus, served with metal cutlery and ceramic dishes. You could also get your hands on a luxury amenity kit (also in Club World and First only).

The best part for all you Avios collectors out there? Upgrades, happily, don’t have to be bought with cash. So, for anyone considering parting with Avios for a well-deserved upgrade, here are ten frequently asked questions answered. 

What will it cost?  

In summary: it depends. Whether upgrading one way or return, the Avios amount required for the upgrade is always based on the Avios costs for Reward Flights in the cabins you are upgrading from and to, and will depend on whether you're travelling on a peak or off-peak date. An upgrade with Avios consists of a cash amount for the flights, an Avios amount for the upgrade, plus the usual taxes, fees and carrier charges. 

When can you upgrade?

Most cash bookings can be upgraded with Avios either at the time of booking or later on, depending on availability. Only the lowest World Traveller fares cannot be upgraded with Avios at any time. 

Are upgrades always available?    

Not always – there must be Reward Flight seats available in the next cabin up for you to be able to upgrade to it with Avios. Luckily, there are several ways to check. If you have an existing booking, log in to Manage My Booking, select your flight and choose ‘Upgrade your cabin’ to see if your flight can be upgraded. If you’re just making plans, use the ‘book and upgrade’ form (scroll down on this page to find it) to search for specific flights and dates to see if you can upgrade as you book. Or, use these availability tools to search for inspiration and availability.

Can I upgrade with Avios at the airport?

No. If you’re thinking of upgrading with Avios, you’ll need to do it before departure, online. Note that Bronze, Silver and Gold Members also have a dedicated helpline.

Can I only upgrade on British Airways? 

oneworld® has outlined plans to introduce a highly anticipated alliance-wide upgrade system, meaning it will soon be possible to spend your Avios on an upgrade with British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines flights.

Can I upgrade on a Companion Voucher booking?

When using a Companion Voucher, you won’t be able to upgrade using Avios on that booking, but you can always rebook into the higher cabin.

Are British Airways’ travel classes the same on every flight?

A cabin Avios upgrade is always to the next higher cabin, which can vary depending on the route and aircraft. For example, on certain short-haul flights, you could upgrade from economy (Euro Traveller) to business (Club Europe). On long-haul flights, you’re more likely to upgrade from economy (World Traveller) to premium economy (World Traveller Plus), to business (Club World), and finally to First. Do note: some routes may not have First.

How can I calculate my savings?

The formula is as follows: the Avios for the cabin you wish to upgrade to, minus the Avios needed for the cabin you make your booking in. This equals the Avios required to upgrade one way. Here’s an example for a peak one-way upgrade from London to New York, upgrading from premium economy (World Traveller Plus) to business (Club World):

90,000 Avios (Club World) – 60,000 Avios (World Traveller Plus) = 30,000 Avios to upgrade, plus taxes, fees and carrier charges.

What if an upgrade isn’t available?

There are only a specific number of Reward Flight seats (ie. seats you can book using Avios) available on our flights, so if it’s not possible to upgrade on your desired flight, just try looking at another travel date or route. 

What if I don’t have enough Avios to upgrade?

Never fear: you can always top up your Avios balance by purchasing some or asking a friend or family member to transfer their Avios to you. Or, you can speed things up by pooling your Avios with other Executive Club Members in your household.

Learn more about flight upgrades

Terms and conditions
An Avios upgrade is always to the next cabin, which can vary depending on the route and airline. On a short-haul flight, you could upgrade from economy (Euro Traveller) to business (Club Europe). On a long-haul flight, you could upgrade from economy (World Traveller) to premium economy (World Traveller Plus); premium economy (World Traveller Plus) to business (Club World), or business (Club World) to First class.

We offer a limited number of reward seats on all our published flights and so they are subject to availability. There must be Reward Flight availability in the next cabin for you to be able to upgrade to it using Avios.

Most cash bookings can be upgraded with Avios either at the time of booking or later on, depending on availability. Only the lowest economy (World Traveller) fares (Q, O and G) cannot be upgraded with Avios at any time. You won’t be able to upgrade with Avios at the airport or on board.