Avios upgrades

[David A]

Does anyone know if I book and pay cash for a business class return to the USA BUT then upgrade with Avios to First.

Will I receive zero miles and zero points
Or miles and points for the business class part I paid cash for?

[phil squares]

You get the points Avios miles and Tier points you paid for in the original booking. Same would happen if you received an op-up to F from J. You get what you paid for.

[Tim330]

Please note if you have booked a flexible fare then the avios upgrade makes it non flexible. You can unapply the upgrade and choose a new date with a flexible ticket but if you did this within 24 hours of departure you wouldn't get the avios back.

[David A]

Thanks both.

[GT03ROB]

David A said:

Does anyone know if I book and pay cash for a business class return to the USA BUT then upgrade with Avios to First.

Will I receive zero miles and zero points
Or miles and points for the business class part I paid cash for?

You get mile & points for what you paid for.

However, be aware BAs software is known to have problems processing upgrades with Avios. It's not unknown to give you nothing at all, in which case phone up & they will credit correctly. It's also not unknown for it to give you the miles & points for the upgrade as if you had paid for it, I which case say nothing!!

I've had both scenarios, hence how I know!.