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British Airways Upgrade to Business Class

How to upgrade to business class on british airways.

When you’re on a long-haul flight to an international destination, who wants to be wedged into economy class? Especially when you can score a class upgrade to the executive club and be treated like a VIP. It may not be as hard – or as expensive – as you think. Here’s how it’s done and how to score a bargain on business class BA flights.

Note: British Airways flight upgrades extend to partner airlines:  Iberia and American Airlines flights.

There are only a few realistic ways to wave goodbye to premium economy seats and step up to a luxury experience:

1. Buy an upgrade. (you can only bump up one flight class)

2. Use British Airways Avios Points to bump up your fare class

3. Earn British Airways Executive Club Gold Upgrade Vouchers

4. Get a hugely discounted deal on a new booking through Business Class Experts

Let’s talk about how to get an upgrade without relying on luck or fantasy scenarios where a flight attendant begs you to move to first class as a personal favor.

How To Find Deals on British Airways Business Class Flights

Getting an upgrade is rarely a sure thing. Everything has to fall into place at the right time, and there are quite a few roadblocks to securing a British Airways upgrade. If you’re not the kind of person who leaves comfort to chance, your best bet is to contact Business Class Experts .

We work with British Airways to offer the lowest prices on unsold business class seats. How deep are the discounts? We can save you up to 70% off advertised sales. It’s definitely worth finding out if you can affordably escape economy class for a long-haul flight…without breaking the bank. Just give us a shout and let us work the magic.

Benefits of British Airways Business Class

British Airways provides an amazing experience to business class ticket passengers traveling from the United States to Europe . From check-in to exiting the plane at your destination, you’re treated like royalty. 

  • No lines. Dedicated check-in and concierge service lets you skip the lines and spend your time relaxing with a drink or a meal instead. Or using their office setup, if you’re traveling for business. You get fast-track priority boarding as well.
  • Luxurious Club World lounges.  Since British Airways is  dedicated to international business travel, you’ll find their most elaborate lounges in London Heathrow  airport (LHR) and New York JFK.  
  • Lots of baggage, no extra fees. One perk of business class and first class is the lack of picky little add-on fees that skyrocket your cheap price. You’ll be allowed a carry-on plus a personal bag or laptop, and up to three checked bags.
  • More comfortable seats. On board, you’ll find a spacious, contoured leather seat that folds down to a lie-flat bed. You’ll have plenty of legroom, privacy partitions, and fluffy bedding designed by The White Company to help ensure a good rest.
  • The White Company amenity kit. Awaiting you will be a kit filled with items to help make your flight more comfortable: lotion, an eye mask, ear plugs, and other essential goodies.
  • Amazing entertainment. Your entertainment options are virtually endless. Choose from a huge selection of music, movies, and shows, put on your noise-cancelling headphones, and let the time fly. Or use WiFi, power outlets, and USB plugs to get some work done.
  • Gourmet dining. Complimentary three course meals, snacks, and drinks are available on request.

How to Find Out If Upgrade Space is Available

Before you waste your time searching for upgrades, you need to determine whether you’re eligible for an upgrade. 

Unlike other airlines, British Airways allows you to check for available business class upgrades. If you’re are eligible for an upgrade

1.  Log in to your account on BritishAirways.com. 

2. Go to “Manage My Booking.”

3. Click “Executive Club” and then “Spend Avios.”

4. Look for “Reward Flights.”

5. Search for empty seats in the next cabin up from yours. If there are available seats in the next higher fare class, you may be able to upgrade with cash or points.

Upgrade Restrictions and Info

You can move up only one fare class. That means you may be able to jump 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, but you can’t move up from economy to business or first class. If you’re hoping to move up to business class, make sure to buy a premium economy ticket.

When you’re flying round trip, your journey may have several legs. For example, if you’re flying from Los Angeles LAX, and you change planes in New York, some parts of your trip may not be upgraded. If you’re arranging your own booking, make sure you understand the rules governing your upgrade. And don’t forget to book your return upgrade. If you have enough miles, you may be able to get your return upgrade using Avios Points.

How To Upgrade To Business Class For Free on British Airways

  • Book it. The most reliable way to guarantee an upgrade is to book one from the start. Why gamble when Business Class Experts offers business class flights priced at up to 70% off? 
  • Talk to the gate agent – Board in the last group, and ask if there are any unexpected no-shows. They may offer you a free or deeply discounted airport upgrade. 
  • Earn British Airways Executive Club Gold Upgrade Vouchers  – Frequent flyers get a lot of perks. If you meet elite status requirements,  British Airways offer you and a companion an upgrade the next highest fare class. With 2,500 Tier Points, you’ll qualify for one companion voucher. When you reach 3,500 Tier Points, two companion upgrade vouchers, which you can use to upgrade you and a companion traveling on the same reservation.
  • Build up Avios points with a British Airways American express or Visa credit card . Points and perks add up faster when you take advantage of special offers.
  • Travel on Overbooked Planes – Airlines often overbook their flights. They know some people will cancel and some will miss their flights, and they compensate by booking more seats than they actually have. If they have crowded economy seats and a few seats available in business class, they may look for passengers to move. Look for flights that are off-peak for businesses, but popular with families, like flights around the holidays.
  • Hedge your bets  – To up your chances of being the chosen passenger, fly solo, sit near the front, be polite, and dress nicely. The odds that you’ll get upgraded from economy to premium economy are better than your odds of being moved to business class or first class ….and the odds of being moved at all are pretty slim.
  • Ask after boarding – You’ll be more likely to be moved if you have a good reason. If your seatmate reeks of cigarettes, for example, explain that you’re allergic and your sinuses are already starting to bother you. If the cabin is packed and you can see there are empty seats in the next cabin, get creative and ask to be moved away from this location/person (without being offensive). 

Business Class Flights Scams To Avoid

  • Avoid shady mileage brokers – There are websites online where you can buy points. They operate by purchasing unused points from business travelers and reselling them at a discount. It may sound like a great deal, but it is against the rules of every airline, and there will be consequences if you’re caught. 
  • Phishing scams – Email and text scams offering unbelievable deals are common. If you receive a message about a trip you have not booked, or a giveaway flight tickets offer that seems unlikely, it’s most likely a scam. Before you click on any link that appears to be from British Airways, make sure the url is britishairways.com and not something that looks similar, but is not the same. 
  • Do a little research – Don’t do business with any company that doesn’t have a legitimate address and contact info. Make sure the phone number works, and the person who answers is knowledgeable. Look carefully at the website and content to be sure it’s not riddled with spelling and grammar errors – a dead giveaway to scam operations.

British Airways Resources

  • How To Review & Trust A Business Class Consolidator
  • British Airways Business Class
  • Best International Business Class Airlines
  • British Airways Baggage Allowance
  • British Airways Business Class Vs. First Class

About the author

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Started in 2009 as a dream of providing business class & first class travelers with better service, cheaper international ticket prices , and more value than any other discount business class company on the Internet.

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How to Upgrade to Business and First Class on British Airways Flights

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How to Upgrade to Business and First Class on British Airways Flights

Types of BA Upgrades

How to find out if upgrade space is available, the importance of elite status, the value of a british airways visa credit card, upgrading with executive club gold upgrade vouchers, how to upgrade an existing booking, how to upgrade a new flight / booking, upgrading on partner airlines, with british airways elite status, without british airways elite status, final thoughts.

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Upgrading your flights on British Airways could be an excellent way to redeem Avios and enhance your in-flight experience.

Unlike upgrading with United Airlines , for example, upgrading with British Airways is a simpler process. Generally, there are two major ways to get upgraded with British Airways.

  • Upgrading using British Airways Executive Club Gold Upgrade Vouchers
  • Upgrading an existing booking with Avios
  • Upgrading a new flight with Avios

While it’s impossible to always guarantee upgrades on every flight with British Airlines, our knowledge can give you a leg up on the competition. A better understanding of the entire process will increase your chances of securing upgrades.

This guide explains the types of British Airways upgrades, availability options, and how elite status can help. Additionally, we’ll discuss how the Chase British Airways Visa can help you with your upgrades.

All in all, British Airways offers some great ways to upgrade your flights, so let’s begin.

British Airways

Unlike most airlines, having elite status with British Airways actually doesn’t afford you priority for upgrades, though you do get a companion upgrade voucher after reaching key thresholds.

As we mentioned earlier, British Airways has a few avenues of confirming an upgrade.

  • Upgrading using British Airways Executive Club Gold Upgrade Vouchers : Upon meeting certain elite status requirements, upgrade you and a companion to the next highest cabin
  • Upgrade an existing booking: Upgrade using miles on flights paid for in cash
  • Upgrade a new booking: Upgrade using miles and cash to confirm upgraded seats at the time of booking
  • Upgrade using American Airlines systemwide upgrades: You can upgrade using AA systemwide upgrades if you purchased your ticket through American Airlines and at least 1 segment is on American.

We’ll cover these in detail in the later sections, but let’s first discuss upgrade availability.

British Airways treats award and upgrade space the same. This means that if an award is available for redemption with miles, it’s also available for upgrades with miles.

British Airways has one of the most robust award search engines out there, which makes our search much easier. Keep in mind that the process to upgrade is slightly different from the process to search. Here’s how to search for award availability.

First, create a British Airways Executive Club account . Type in your email address, create a password, and input the remaining information as requested on the registration page.

To complete your account registration, you’ll need to confirm your email by following instructions from British Airways.

Find the button that says Book on the top banner. Hover over it, and click  Book a flight with Avios . Type in your origin and destination cities. Choose your departure and return dates.

If you’re booking one-way flights, check the box that says One way only . Type in the class you want to upgrade to, type in the number of passengers, and click Get flights .

British Airways Availability

When you’re upgrading with points, there’s one rule you must know. Q, O, and G class fares cannot be upgraded. Though you’ll be seated in the economy cabin, upgrading from these fares to premium economy would be considered a 2-fare increase, which isn’t allowed. 

That being said, those are pretty much the only rules, which makes this one of the simplest ways to upgrade flights.

Upgrade Priority: Who Gets the Upgrade First?

Contrary to popular belief, having elite status does not always entitle you to upgrade priority over other people. We talk a lot about the tiers of British Airways elite status in our review of British Airways Executive Club , but the short answer is that having elite status with British Airways doesn’t entitle you to ongoing upgrade priority.

When you achieve 2,500 Tier Points (British Airways’ elite-qualifying currency system), you’ll receive one companion upgrade voucher. Note that this is different from a Travel Together Ticket , which is essentially a buy-one-get-one-free award ticket.

When you achieve 3,500 Tier Points, you’ll receive two companion upgrade vouchers, which you can use for you and a companion to upgrade both passengers from a single reservation.

Besides the companion upgrade vouchers, which are given as a one-time benefit upon meeting certain criteria, having elite status doesn’t give you upgrade priority.

This actually diminishes the value of the Executive Club program, but having the companion upgrade vouchers can still be valuable.

Unlike United Airlines , which offers additional upgrade availability for holding their co-branded credit cards, British Airways does not.

Besides bonus categories for earning Avios , the main draw of the British Airways Visa credit card from Chase is the   Travel Together Ticket . As we explained above, this perk allows you to bring a companion in the same cabin as you on award tickets . 

You cannot book cash fares using the Travel Together Ticket, nor upgrades.

Bottom Line: Having the Chase British Airways Visa credit card opens up the door to earn the  Travel Together Ticket  after spending $30,000 over the course of a year, which may be useful for award tickets, but not so much for upgrades.

When it comes to elite status with British Airways, there’s a metric called  Tier Points . With each flight you take either on British Airways or one of their partners, you will earn a certain number of Tier Points. This is dependent on your existing elite status, fare class, and route.

For example, if you’re flying from Los Angeles (LAX) to London-Heathrow (LHR) on British Airways as a Executive Club Blue member, you will earn the following number of Tier Points depending on your fare class booked:

BA Tier Points

For example, if you booked an economy ticket in booking class V, you would earn 2,721 Avios and 35 Tier Points each way.

After attaining 2,500 Tier Points within a calendar year, you will receive a Gold Upgrade Voucher, which you can use to upgrade you and one companion on a flight of your choice. Of course, the flight will need to have the award/upgrade space available, which you can easily find out with British Airways’ online search engine.

If you hit 3,500 Tier Points in a calendar year, you’ll receive 2 Gold Upgrade Vouchers for you and a companion, which is fantastic.

Upgrading With Miles

It’s absolutely possible to upgrade flights using British Airways Avios. In fact, it’s a little-known secret that upgrading British Airways flights with Avios is a sweet spot.

If you book an award ticket outright with Avios, you’ll still need to pay for fuel surcharges. On a cheaper economy or premium economy ticket, these fuel surcharges can make up the bulk of the ticket price, which means that you’ll end up saving a ton of Avios by leveraging this fact.

It’s important to note that to upgrade a ticket using Avios, the original purchase must have been made in cash. It’s not possible to upgrade a ticket with Avios that was originally purchased with Avios.

Upgrades are made better by the fact that British Airways doesn’t charge a co-pay like many other airlines. This will save you a bundle of cash. Let’s talk about the two main ways to upgrade bookings with British Airways Avios.

Let’s say that you purchased one of the cheaper tickets on British Airways with cash. Let’s also say that you want to fly in premium economy instead of economy, which is what you booked your ticket in.

Well, you’ll be pleased to know that you can upgrade your flight simply for the fare difference between economy and premium economy.

Here’s how you can do it:

  • Follow this link to get to the Manage My Booking page.
  • Type in your booking reference number and the last name of the passenger.
  • Click Upgrade this flight with Avios . (You may not be able to upgrade due to the absence of award availability.)
  • Pay the Avios and any new taxes and fees, and your upgrade is confirmed.

Hot Tip: British Airways frequently sells round-trip business class tickets for approximately $1,800 to $2,500. Be sure to give these deeply discounted fares a thought prior to upgrading with your Avios.

With this method, let’s illustrate a scenario. You haven’t booked any tickets yet. You have a healthy balance of Avios, but not enough to book your desired ticket class outright. You want a confirmed upgrade right now, and you’re willing to purchase a cash ticket in order to upgrade with your Avios.

Using Avios to upgrade a new flight is perfect for someone in the above situation. Here’s how you can confirm an upgrade completely online in minutes:

  • Go to the Book and Upgrade section of British Airways.
  • Upgrade either your outbound or inbound flights by toggling the appropriate checkbox.
  • Type in your destination and origin airport codes.
  • Input your departure and return dates. Check off  One way only if applicable.
  • Choose the class you want to upgrade from . If you want to upgrade from premium economy to business, you’ll need to select premium economy.
  • Choose the ticket type that meets your needs.
  • Select the number of passengers. Click  Get flights .
  • Choose your desired flight and click  Continue.
  • Complete the booking and confirm your upgraded ticket.

Bottom Line: You don’t need fancy elite status to upgrade a British Airways flight. In fact, any travelers can maximize their Avios by upgrading existing or new reservations with miles. It’s super easy, so there’s no reason not to do it.

Upgrades on Iberia and American Airlines are also allowed. Keep in mind that the ticket must be issued by British Airways in order to qualify. To upgrade on partner flights with Iberia or American Airlines, you’ll follow the exact same process as shown above.

However, you can’t book a ticket on AA.com and upgrade using British Airways Avios. You must upgrade on a ticket that’s issued and sold by British Airways.

When you book your ticket through AA.com you can use American Airlines systemwide upgrades as long as at least 1 segment is an American Airlines flight and upgrade space is available.

7 Ways to Secure an Upgrade or Increase Your Chances of an Upgrade with British Airways

  • Earn companion upgrade certificates . Once you’ve met certain criteria, British Airways will provide you with companion upgrade certificates. With this, you won’t even need Avios. You’ll just need to find availability and purchase a cash ticket that meets their terms and conditions. Your companion will then be upgraded!
  • Search for availability early . Since inventory is identical for upgrades and awards, you’ll want to start your search early, particularly on competitive routes like Los Angeles (LAX) to London-Heathrow (LHR).
  • Double check the fare class you’re booked in. You’ll want to make sure you’re booked in an upgrade-eligible fare class. If you’re not, no matter how much award availability you find, you won’t be able to upgrade.
  • Be on the lookout for discounted premium cabin fares.  As we mentioned above, there are quite a few fare sales every year. Oftentimes, it costs only $2,000 to book a round-trip business class ticket. Plus, you’ll earn a lot of elite-qualifying miles and regular miles like a normal cash ticket.
  • Let’s take two examples: If you paid with Avios for the Madrid – Sao Paulo via London-Heathrow flight in business class, it would cost you 87,750 Avios + $235.10 in taxes and fees.
  • Compare this to upgrading a paid premium economy ticket , which would cost ~$1,000-$1,500 for the premium economy ticket alone. Upgrading the premium economy ticket would cost a minimum of 39,250 Avios, bringing your total to 39,250 Avios plus $1,000-$1,500 .
  • Comparing the two situations of 87,750 Avios + $235.10 to 39,250 Avios + ~$1,500 means that you’re “paying 2.6 cents per Avio” , which is not a good deal at all. As such, this is an example situation to use Avios to book awards as opposed to upgrading paid tickets.
  • Use the Travel Together Ticket to score 2-for-1 awards.  Although the Travel Together Ticket doesn’t increase award availability, it allows you to get 2 award tickets for the price of 1. Keep in mind you’ll have to pay taxes and fees, in addition to locating award availability for 2 passengers.
  • Ask for paid upgrades at the airport. The last resort would be to ask the ticketing agent for upgrades available for cash when checking in for your international flight. Oftentimes, they offer upgrades for approximately $1,500 one-way. Payment typically must be done with a credit card, so use this as a chance to maximize your points and miles with a card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® .

Finding an upgrade may be difficult, but British Airways makes it easy to search and to understand the process. They don’t have complicated terms like co-pays and restrictions that make upgrading a headache.

British Airways has a robust online system for confirming upgrades, so you don’t have to pick up the phone. Interestingly, their elite status doesn’t increase upgrade priority , which is a departure from the norm compared to airlines like United or American.

As long as you have some patience, you’ll be able to secure upgrades on British Airways, American Airlines, or Iberia flights.

You must conform with their ticket restrictions as we discussed above. Otherwise, it’s extremely attractive to upgrade fares when using British Airways.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i know if my upgraded ticket allows a free checked bag.

An award or upgraded ticket is subject to the same baggage rules as regular paid tickets. This means that you can visit the British Airways’ website to find out about checked baggage allowance.

How can I get upgraded on an international ticket if I don't have status with British Airways?

The process is the same regardless of your status level with British Airways. Keep in mind that seat upgrades are subject to availability.

You’ll want to follow the directions for upgrading an existing or new reservation we laid out in this article.

Can I upgrade an award ticket I purchased with Avios?

No, you cannot upgrade an award ticket with miles. You can only upgrade paid fares with miles.

If you do want to upgrade a cash ticket using Avios, the cost is only the difference in Avios, which is the same cost as redeeming Avios for the award ticket outright.

You might be able to pay cash for an upgrade when you’re at the ticketing kiosk on the travel date in the airport.

When will the Avios be deducted for an upgrade request?

When you confirm the upgrade, the Avios will be deducted immediately from your British Airways Executive Club frequent flyer account.

Additionally, your credit card will be charged for any changes in taxes and fees when you confirm your reservation.

Which fare class should I buy to make sure I get an upgrade?

All fares classes besides Q, G, O are eligible for upgrades. These tickets are the cheapest economy tickets and aren’t eligible for upgrades.

Additionally, you can only upgrade one class of service. This means that for long-haul flights, you can upgrade from economy to premium economy, premium economy to business, or business to first class.

You can also use companion upgrade vouchers attained from British Airways elite status to upgrade your flights.

What's the difference between economy and economy plus seats?

The major differentiator is that premium economy has a lot more legroom and recline than a regular economy seat. While it might not sound great, it actually makes a big difference on a long-haul flight.

You’ll also be sitting closer to the exit, which means you’ll deplane before the economy passengers. You may also enjoy enhanced amenities such as better food.

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February 2024

Eight reasons to upgrade to World Traveller Plus

Positioned comfortably between our e conomy (World Traveller) and business (Club World) cabins, World Traveller Plus allows for extra leg-stretching and more baggage-boasting compared to its economy counterpart – making it the most attainable upgrade for those not in need of business or First. Ready to make your next journey with us that bit more exclusive? Let’s go.

Skip the queues

We’ve all been there: running a little behind schedule, approaching the check-in desks only to gaze upon a queue rather more mighty than one we would have preferred. Not so for World Traveller Plus passengers arriving at Terminal 5, who can head straight to the – typically less populated – premium check-in desks for an altogether speedier experience. Please note this varies depending on the terminal. 

Skip the queues

Get there quicker

Upgrading to premium economy means starting your trip with that extra little spring in your step. You’re excited – and not just for the cabin. That’s because you know you’ll be boarding hot on the heels of our business and First passengers – no later than Group 3, in fact, which is quite the edge given economy passengers can find themselves boarding as far back as Group 9.  The good news for Bronze, Silver or Gold Tier passengers is that, no matter your cabin, y ou’ll get priority boarding, too. 

Get there quicker

Bring more than before

Perhaps one of the biggest perks of World Traveller Plus is the extra (free) baggage allowance. It’s particularly ideal for those taking longer holidays, bulky ski trips or visiting destinations with several weather conditions to placate. In this cabin, you can put not one, but two 23kg bags in the hold. On board, take your cabin bag (which can go in the overhead lockers) and a handbag/laptop bag (something you can tuck under the seat), too.

Bring more than before

Roomy yet intimate: the cabin

Inside the smaller, more exclusive World Traveller Plus cabin, you’ll find wider seats that recline luxuriously further than those in economy, plus lumbar support, a fold-out leg rest and fold-down footrest, plus seven inches more leg room and even a water bottle holder. Depending on your aircraft, you’ll travel in a 2:3:2 or 2:4:2 configuration, making this great for couples who want to sit together, sans neighbours. As with economy, universal power outlets by each seat mean you can stay charged up.

Roomy yet intimate: the cabin

Premium menu and service

Sip your sparkling wine, chosen by our own Master of Wine, Tim Jackson, after take off. Watch as your starter, main and dessert arrive with metal cutlery and ceramic dishes. It’s a step-up from World Traveller fare while still channelling the very best of Britain from a flavour and provenance perspective. Throughout the flight, hot and cold snacks, plus any drinks you might fancy (including alcoholic beverages), can be yours. 

Premium menu and service

Details that elevate

All the details of World Traveller, with that little bit extra on top. In World Traveller Plus, you’ll receive a pillow and thick, quilted blanket adorned in our signature blue and red herringbone pattern. Pair this with our plastic-free-packaging amenity kit – complete with lip balm, an eye mask, pen, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste – and you’ll feel as if you’re fresh from a surprise shopping trip, ready to work, snooze or just sit back and relax.

Details that elevate

Binge a gripping series or film

With a large, bright 12-inch touchscreen and noise-cancelling headphones, you can comfortably spend your flight in World Traveller Plus making the most of our Paramount+ TV subscription (home to critically acclaimed shows such as  Mayor of Kingstown  and  Yellowstone ), or simply dig into hundreds of the latest films, shows, music, audio books, podcasts and games. Plus, most aircraft will allow you to pay to browse the internet and stream, should you wish to stay connected.  

Binge a gripping series or film

You can use Avios to upgrade

If you’re flying long haul, why not dedicate some of those hard-earned Avios towards an upgrade in World Traveller Plus? Make the whole thing that bit more special? Avios can be used to upgrade the cabin either at the time of booking or applied to an existing flight. A more luxurious cabin may help mitigate general weariness on the return leg, or be splashed out on for both journeys – whichever you’d prefer. Finally, Avios can also be put toward upgrades on Reward Flights.  

You can use Avios to upgrade

Learn more about World Traveller Plus

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Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash

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Everyone loves an upgrade. Everyone.

Despite the fact that most people love the idea of an upgrade, most people fail to put in the minimal work required to actually get one. They also fail to consider that most upgrades happen long before you get to the airport and don’t require a gimmicky line. In short: you just need points or cash. In the case of British Airways, you need Avios Points or cold hard cash.

Here’s a ridiculously clear guide to upgrades on British Airways and their many airline partners, to make sure you end up where you belong – aka in a better seat!

There Are Three Ways To Get A British Airways Upgrade…

  • Pay Cash, or take a special cash offer.
  • Use Avios Points to upgrade a cash or Avios booking.
  • Use charm and wear a great outfit. 

The third is a bold faced lie. It will never work, so save yourself and the lovely check in person the effort of saying no, and just do one or two.

Roadblocks To British Airways Upgrades…

There are a few things which can keep you from being able to successfully upgrade your British Airways booking using cash or Avios, so they’re important to know right from the get go.

Basically, you want your booking to be made directly with BA, or ticketed using British Airways “stock”, which means your ticket starts with a 125, a dash and then a series of numbers. It would look something like 125-12345678910. You can’t upgrade using Avios or directly with BA if your ticket…

  • Was issued by another airline, like American, Finnair or Iberia.
  • Is booked into a special group economy ticket fare class, like Q, O or G.
  • Is already in first class. Pilots seats are sadly not up for sale at this time.

You can now upgrade using Avios at the airport, using a dedicated desk at Heathrow, but upgrades on board using an app still aren’t available, for now. If you want to use your miles to upgrade, you must do so before check in, ideally more than 24 hours in advance, or at the Heathrow upgrade counter. Using cash, you’ve got more flexibility.

If you booked with BA and want to upgrade an American or Iberia flight, you can. Similarly, you can upgrade a British Airways flight booked with American, but you can only do so using the points currency of the airline you booked with. Which you choose is hugely important though, because you’ll need miles with the airline you booked with.

Basically, if you booked British Airways flights via American Airlines, you must use American AAdvantage miles to upgrade your flight on British Airways. If you booked American flights via British Airways, you must use BA Avios to upgrade. Got it?

Upgrade Update: In late 2020, or early 2021 – Oneworld Alliance is set to announce alliance wide upgrades , which will mean you can use miles from any Oneworld airline to upgrade a ticket on any other Oneworld Airline. BA is included. This means you’ll have far more options to use Avios to upgrade flights on Cathay Pacific, JAL, Qantas and others in the near future.

British Airways Upgrades You Can And Cannot Do

Every airline has different rules for upgrades, and British Airways are actually really fair. In every cabin there are expensive and less expensive fares, and even the lowest fares (excluding Q, O and G) can be bumped up to the next cabin. The main rules are…

  • You can only upgrade one cabin, like economy to premium, premium to biz, biz to first.
  • You can only upgrade using Avios if a seat using Avios is available in the next cabin.
  • If you want to upgrade with cash, that’s always possible as long as a seat is for sale.

British Airways and other airlines operating in the region are bound by weird cabin taxes, which make upgrading from economy to premium economy (world traveller to world traveller plus) almost always a terrible idea. This is because you pay an increased passenger tax as soon as you move in front of the curtain. If you’re already in premium and want to move to business or business to first it’s much, much better value.

Ok great, but how do I find upgradeable seats?

SeatSpy.com and RewardFlightFinder.com are two of the easiest tools for finding seats which you can book using Avios, or upgrade to using British Airways Avios. Search for a seat in the cabin you’d like to sit in, on the flight you’re booked on, and if there’s one available, it’ll be available for upgrade using your points.

British Airways Upgrades Using Avios

Using Avios there’s one main key factor, scratch that – two key factors you need. You need points first, and you need a seat made available in the cabin you want to upgrade to using points as well. It’s much easier than you think to find said seats. Simply run a search using Avios, as if you don’t already have a booking. You want to search in the cabin you want to upgrade to – not from – and you want to make sure the seat is available on the same flight.

If you have a booking made with Avios, you can upgrade it using more Avios, if a seat is available in the next cabin. You pay the difference in Avios and passenger taxes. If you made a booking with cash, you’ll pay a cost in Avios and passenger taxes, which is the difference in points needed from one cabin to the next.

Almost all long haul upgrades to business class or first class require between 18,000-30,000 points one way, depending on peak or off peak and how far you’re going. You can figure out the exact Avios cost by subtracting the cabin you’re in from the cabin you’re going to.

For example…

London to New York or vice versa is 68,000 Avios one way off peak in first class. Business class off peak is 50,000 points, and premium is 26,000 points so an upgrade from business to first would require 18,000 Avios (68,000-50,000) and premium to business 24,000 points (50,000-26,000).  

Hot Tip: The best upgrades are the ones you can do instantly, like finding a cheap premium economy flight and immediately calling and upgrading to business class using Avios Points. Don’t attempt this online. To do this, look at upgrade possibilities before you actually book and then call instead.

Again, the best tools for upgrading British Airways flights or finding availability to use your Avios Points are SeatSpy or RewardFlightFinder. These free websites allow you to see all dates where seats using Avios are available in your desired cabin.

  • Reward Flight Finder allows you to search once and see a year of availability.
  • You can also set free alerts, which will email you when and if a seat opens up.
  • When a seat opens up in the cabin in front of you, you call BA on the phone to upgrade.

Cash Costs On Upgrades Using Avios

You really don’t want to upgrade economy tickets to premium economy tickets and that’s mostly because of the exorbitant, highly questionable cash surcharge you’ll face to cover the increased passenger taxes.

Upgrades on British Airways from premium to business (World Traveller Plus to Club World) or business to first (Club World to First) are the best values , and you’ll usually pay roughly £100-£200 in cash, in addition to the points.

Hottest Tip : Right now the best value in travel is finding “cheap” premium economy fares from the UK or Europe to the USA, Middle East and beyond, and upgrading to Club World business class using Avios. There are many recent examples where you could fly round trip business by buying a £515 return premium economy ticket and spending 40,000 points for a return upgrade.

It’s important to note that the figure you’re quoted over the phone may not always be correct. Yep, sometimes airlines incorrectly price things. Read up on how to tackle all that here, once you’re done with this immensely helpful guide you can’t wait to share with your friends.

British Airways Upgrades Using Cash

If you’ve read any of the news stories saying that downloading your preferred airlines app is a great idea, they were right – it is. You can always upgrade any British Airways ticket you booked with cash using more cash, but it’s almost always going to be crazy expensive. The best way to upgrade using cash is often the special offers which are pushed to travelers in the British Airways mobile app. When you log on to your booking, you’ll see a “special offer” price. These are worth monitoring! A few things to note…

  • You generally can’t upgrade Avios bookings using cash.
  • You can only upgrade with cash if a seat is still available for sale.
  • Unless you get an offer, you’ll pay the full difference in fare to upgrade.

Business class can occasionally be the same price or less than economy or premium. When corporate travel policies or initial budgets make travelers book economy, it’s worth taking a peek to see what business or premium is selling for, since the upgrade price might be really reasonable. Checking the best source for business class deals in the first place also helps too.

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Gilbert Ott

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly... More by Gilbert Ott

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42 Comments

If you upgrade from PE to Club World with Avios, might you still get a cash upgrade offer to F at some point?

Yes, at the checkin desk in airport, but I think not through online checkin.

In my experience with British Airways, if you want to upgrade paying cash, but there is no special offer price offered on the website or mobile app (and you know there are seats available, using expert flyer to check), then you can always upgrade at the check-in desk at the Airport. I travel regularly between London and various Gulf destinations, and I have upgraded at the airport (in either direction – yes, this even works in Riyadh…) a few times. For example, a “full fare” upgrade from Club World to First may be showing on the website or app for at least £1000, and whilst the special offer upgrade may be £400-£500 when available, the check-in desk upgrade will usually be about £600 (i.e. much less than the “full fare” upgrade). So if you want an upgrade paying cash, it always makes sense to take the special offer upgrade if its offered, but if it isn’t available, don’t pay the full fare upgrade online, if you’re willing to chance the availability of a “better value” upgrade at the airport (and, of course, expert flyer is still saying there is space…)

I agree with Paul, above. I have taken some great value upgrade offers at the check in desk on day of travel, especially from WT+ to CW.

the downside of attempting to upgrade is when you have had to book through corporate service and the ticket is locked to the travel agent…. i find this varies company to company however and haven’t yet understook the rationale; but where the “app” upgrade is available i’ve found it to be cheaper than online

On BA, if you pay in cash and upgrade with Avios then you only get the Avios/tier points for the flight you paid for, not the class you travel in. Much better to pay cash for the class you want and reduce the price with Avios. That way you get Avios/tier poins for the class you paid for.

Sorry Desilu, That’s just not quite accurate on a few counts.

1) The difference between cabins can be thousands. Paying £10k for a first class ticket or £2k for a business class ticket, a few extra points are not worth £8k. Same goes for potential difference between £700 premium and £5k business. Unless you’re working with unlimited funds, your statement could be true in niche situations but very rarely in most practical terms.

2) It’s long been known that your first statement doesn’t always work out the way you think it will.

As you can see from comments you can upgrade two cabins. You just need to do one online, y to wtp, you can then do an airport upgrade to J if available. If you don’t checkin you can ask what upgrades are available at the airport, if what you want is available you can go online do one upgrade then do the airport upgrade. The risk to that is getting bumped or downgraded if flight is overbooked. Does that make sense. David

But you can’t. An upgrade and an upsell are two different things.

There’s never a guarantee of being able to upgrade at an airport, nor is there a fixed price. If available, it’s whatever BA are asking on the day for the difference.

You can’t upgrade using Avios at the airport, and you can’t upgrade two cabins using Avios either, so I must respectfully stand by my assertion. That doesn’t mean you can’t book economy and end up in business, but it’s an exception to the rule, rather than the rule.

Paying to go from economy to business or first class isn’t an upgrade, it’s an up sell.

I recently flew LHR to BGI in Club on a reward ticket and was offered a cash upgrade to 1st at check in. If I had accepted, would I have earned any Avios or tier points and if so, how many?

You shouldn’t, no. The underlying ticket is non earning so that shouldn’t change. Sometimes on an earning ticket you get the higher value when you upgrade to first.

I’ve noticed in a few articles you specifically advice to call BA after booking to upgrade with Avios. What’s the benefit in doing it this way rather using their “book with money and upgrade with Avios” feature online when booking the original ticket?

To be blunt, the benefit is that you’ll actually get it done, and at the right price. The website is notoriously buggy in this regard and often errors out or quotes the wrong something.

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Hey All, bit late to this conversation,

@Gilbert ‘travel Jedi’ Ott (or anyone)… do you have any idea on the range of special offer prices BA ‘might’ offer on a World Traveller plus to Club upgrade?

The specific flight is a paid world traveller plus ticket LHR to DXB (though club on the DXB to LHR leg), I can see on expert flyer there are a ton of seats available (though none I can upgrade to with avios). the flight is at an off peak time (and supposedly on the new A350). The standard upgrade cost is i’m offered is £1100.

Just wondering IF (and that’s the royal IF) a special offer appears for the upgrade, how much might or could it be?

Hey Mark, it dips as low as £350, £500 is typically if they’re hungry. £1000 and up tends to be standard walk up upgrade offers.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for a ravenous BA then. Thanks Gilbert.

I’ve got to make a booking for a small group of people. In order for them to benefit from my silver status (check in, extra luggage allowance etc.), we all need to be on the same booking. I would however like to book myself a Business seat, whilst the others in the group would like Economy seats. If I book us all on Economy and then upgrade my seat, BA split my booking from the others and give me a new booking reference. So how should I go about booking this, so that we are all on the same booking?

Great article! I’m struggling to find the contact numbers for BA Executive Club, especially for the US office which I’m told is the best way to book Avios flights to get the seats you want. Where are these contact numbers listed?

I’m trying to upgrade using avios for one leg of my upcoming flight. The availability is there but BA are saying that as I booked through an agent and the onward leg is on an other airline I’m not eligible. Can anyone confirm if this is correct?

I wonder if you can work your magic here – I missed my AMEX BA Companion Voucher by being £20.41 short of the £10k target and as I was on holiday I didnt realise until the day after the cut off date, aarggh!!! I called American Express immediately and was told that as it after the cut off date the computer had already shut the closing date so it would have to be a request into the ‘back office’ to change. This would take 7-10 days, I’ve just called back and apparently its a NO. Very disappointing but seems a shame to miss by such a small amount, rules is rules but any ideas to how I maybe change this outcome?

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If you upgrade a Premium Economy paid ticket with cash and it moves you to Club World which booking class do you get miles for assuming I credit to Alaska. Or does the extra cash not change the booking code

How do I upgrade using avios points – booked PE and want to upgrade to Business but I can only get the option on line to upgrade paying cash?

Hi, What’s the best cash upgrade price one can get for upgrade from premium economy to business on a BA flight from LHR to Denver, or similar long haul US flights? I fear I failed to snap a good special offer on return leg and now it’s gone, but still available on departure. Of course, its value is dubious at best for a daytime flight.

Late to the conversation, but wanted to compliment you on another excellent article. Always great writing.

Mary, so kind! Thank you : ) All the best this holiday season!

Hi! Based in large part on this article, I phoned BA in Dec with a plan to buy open-jaw PE seats (US to UK, ~$1800 fare seen on Google Flights) and then in same call use Avios to immediately upgrade to Biz, roundtrip. I thought it was a brilliant plan. And I think the agent understood my plan. But, I was able to upgrade only the return. I think any Biz seats or maybe Avios-upgrade seats were not available on my outbound flight. It cost me ~$1600 USD (said I think to be mostly taxes and fees) plus 85,000 Avois. That took far more Avios than I expected to upgrade only half the trip. But, it also cost slightly* less cash than I expected. So I am not at all sure what happened? (The call audio was poor and wait times had been long, so I was reluctant to start a long side discussion.) *That $1800 fare I had been watching might have “expired” on BA and was still on Google only through Iberia, and was more like $2600 on BA that day. So maybe BA applied some of those avios points to reduce the fare too? I am fairly happy…but still confused and still tempted to try to upgrade the outbound with points. Thanks in advance for any insights!

P.S. I had phoned instead of using the BA website for two reasons. One was you recommended it would work better (correct no doubt), but also I don’t think the website is set up to handle open-jaw and avios at the same time. Thanks again.

New to this, but got a lot of points from work travel. Am I better off paying cash or points to upgrade? Not sure whether to cash in my points to get money off the ticket price, or buy (cash) flights in one cabin lower, then use points to upgrade after booking?

It’s a constantly changing answer. Sometimes cash prices are very good, so it’s better not to use points, other times it’s great to use points. Generally, you get a better rate of return when you pay cash for the main ticket, and then use points to upgrade after. Hope that helps.

Just got off the phone with BA in an attempt trying to upgrade from PE to CW for an upcoming flight from LHR to JFK. Website offered an upgrade to CW at the “special” price of $600; the BA rep said I could upgrade for 24,000 Avios plus $400. Add another $100+ for seat selection (I’m only Bronze) and it just ain’t worth it. Next time I’m dump my Avios on EI – at least hey don’t nickle and dime you on everything,

I have a new style BA reward voucher and not planning any major trips soon. Is the below a waste? Option A – Flights are £220 Option B – 2for1 voucher – 9500 points plus £70 Option C – 11500 points + £244 for Business class one way

I’m trying to upgrade to Club Europe for a flight already booked. All instructions state go to Manage My Booking click on the flight and click on Upgrade for Cash. No where in the app can I find this link or tab. Is it me or can anyone direct me? Thanks

Best advice is to call BA.

Great site and insta! Quick advice pls 🙏🏼 … usually book biz class tickets with miles/companion vouchers – first is NEVER available – anywhere I can keep a track if first seats become available, and when are they most likely to become available?!? feel like I miss them!

We’re booked to Orlando on Economy. Is there no way of getting that up to at least premium economy and it being worth it

It can be “worth it” depending how tall you are, etc, but the extra taxes make it an expensive upgrade. You may get better offers simply through the app while looking at your booking.

ONE issue… The real world “service” delivered by BA remains uncompetitive, overpriced and hollowed out.

Why not swap to an airline that demonstrates more than contempt for it’s customers and is willing to spend a tiny proportion of it’s £Multi BILLION profits on basics like; functional and reliable IT infrastructure, cabin cleaning, loading the advertised menu and resourcing customer service channels at a level appropriate to the volume of business ?

I booked a BA flight from JFK to LHR in J with cash a month ago. Ticket number begins with 125. Today, I noticed award availability on BA app and SeatSpy in F so changed my flight to this new same-day flight with this F availability (for free $0). Online I was not offered option to upgrade with Avios. I called BA directly and they also could not upgrade me to F with Avios. After the call, on the BA app I still saw the 80,000 Avios in F award. There was no J availability. J awards on other flights that day were 90,000+ Avios (more than F). Is there a caveat I’m missing?

Sometimes agents are a bit silly with Avios pricing. You 100% can upgrade to an F ticket using Avios on your BA booked J ticket with cash. No question, 100%. HUCB (hang up, call back) is the best strategy.

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How (and Why) to Upgrade Your British Airways Flight Using Avios

JT Genter

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

It can be frustrating to try to find good use of British Airways Avios, particularly on British Airways flights. Booking British Airways rewards flights with Avios can be quite expensive, both in Avios and out-of-pocket cost. That’s why we generally recommend using Avios to book rewards flights on British Airways’ partners that don’t charge hefty fees.

But there’s one great way to use Avios on British Airways flights, and it’s something we all love to do: Get an upgrade. By paying a typically modest Avios and cash co-pay, you can upgrade your seat on British Airways. Here's how to take advantage of this sweet spot.

What you need to know

The number of avios needed.

The cost to upgrade a British Airways flight using Avios is based on that flight's award price. Say you booked a flight in premium economy and wanted to upgrade to business class. If an award in premium economy cost 40,000 Avios and an award in business class cost 60,000 Avios, it would cost 20,000 Avios to upgrade the flight.

That means you need to know the award price for British Airways flights to calculate the upgrade price. And that’s complicated because British Airways no longer publishes an award chart, and its rewards flights are based on distance and a peak-versus-off-peak calendar.

Let’s walk through a few examples. For flights between New York-John F. Kennedy and London-Heathrow, the Avios price to upgrade from premium economy to business class is:

24,000 Avios during off-peak dates (26,000 versus 50,000 Avios).

20,000 Avios during peak dates (40,000 versus 60,000 Avios).

Upgrading from business class to first class between Los Angeles and London-Heathrow costs:

22,500 Avios during off-peak dates (62,500 versus 85,000 Avios).

25,000 Avios during peak dates (75,000 versus 100,000 Avios).

Restrictions

Not all flight classes are eligible.

Not all British Airways flights can be upgraded with Avios. The lowest economy fare classes (Q, O and G) can't be upgraded. So, if you got a great deal on a British Airways flight in one of these classes, you may not be able to upgrade to premium economy.

You can use Avios to upgrade ONLY to the next cabin

You can’t use Avios to upgrade from economy to business class. To fly in business class, you’ll first need to pay to upgrade your flight to premium economy. Then you can apply Avios to upgrade from premium economy to business class.

You must upgrade in advance

Travelers can’t upgrade with Avios at the airport or on board. You’ll need to upgrade with Avios online or over the phone before heading to the airport.

There must be award availability

To upgrade a flight, there must be award availability in the cabin that you want to move to. If you want to upgrade from premium economy to business class, you’ll need to confirm that there’s business class award availability. There are two ways to find out:

Search award availability on British Airways’ website. However, American Airlines’ website also shows British Airways award availability, and many travelers find searching on AA.com more user-friendly.

Use American’s advanced search tool . Search only the route between the U.S. city and London, even if you’re connecting afterward. Then, limit the results to nonstop.

Search results show award availability for two business class options and one first class option.

Remember that you can ignore the prices listed. You’re just checking to see if there’s award availability on a flight. If your search returns results, there’s upgrade space on that flight.

How to get British Airways Avios

If you want to upgrade with Avios, there’s one necessary ingredient: Avios. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get them that don’t involve flying British Airways. The airline is a partner of three of the five major transferable points programs:

American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points transfer to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.

Capital One miles transfer to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to British Airways at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000-Avios bonus for transferring 60,000 Bonvoy points.

With these transfer options, you can effectively earn 3 British Airways Avios per dollar spent on travel and dining by using the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Or earn 4 Avios per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x points) by using the American Express® Gold Card . Terms apply.

» Learn more: The guide to earning British Airways Avios

When to use Avios for a British Airways upgrade

The two best cases for using Avios to upgrade British Airways flights are going from premium economy to business class and from business class to first class.

Upgrading from premium economy to business class

If you’re flying across the Atlantic, who doesn’t want to do so in a lie-flat seat? Thankfully, the Avios rewards difference between World Traveller Plus and Club World can be quite reasonable for many routes. For example, between Boston and London-Heathrow, a rewards flight in World Traveller Plus costs 40,000 Avios, while Club World costs 60,000 Avios.

That means it costs only 20,000 Avios to upgrade from premium economy to business class on this route during peak dates. However, that’s just the Avios cost. You’ll need to price out the difference in taxes and fees to see if the total cost of this upgrade makes sense for you. The cost will depend on the route and ticket.

For reference, we priced out an upgrade on a premium economy flight from Las Vegas to London-Heathrow for June 2021. British Airways quoted 30,000 Avios to upgrade, plus a cash co-pay of $180.91 per person.

Upgrading from business class to first class

British Airways offers a rather spectacular first class product, especially now that it's started installing a seat with a closing door. First class passengers departing London-Heathrow or New York-JFK are treated to the Concorde Room. Exclusive for first class passengers, this lounge offers restaurant-style dining, private cabanas and even a complimentary massage or facial treatment.

Fittingly, the price to book British Airways first class can be extraordinarily high. However, you can experience this luxury for a relatively low price through an upgrade with Avios.

One of the reasons that British Airways rewards flights cost so much is the carrier-imposed surcharges. When upgrading with Avios, you have to pay the difference in surcharges between the cabins. However, there’s typically no difference in the out-of-pocket cost between business class and first class, which you can see when comparing rewards flights.

upgrade world traveller plus to business

» Learn more: Reasons to love the British Airways loyalty program

How to use Avios for a British Airways upgrade

To upgrade your British Airways flights with Avios, you can either request the upgrade online or call the airline.

If you already have a ticket

As phone wait times can be quite long, you’ll probably want to try to request the upgrade online. Log in to your Executive Club account , then go to Manage My Booking.

If you didn’t include your Executive Club account at booking, find the confirmation number for the booking in your email and use the Manage My Booking tool to retrieve it.

2. Head to the bottom of your account page

Scroll all the way to the Quick Links section at the bottom and select “Upgrade my class of travel with Avios.”

upgrade world traveller plus to business

3. Complete the upgrade

Follow the prompts to complete your upgrade. Some users may be told they can't upgrade online and will be asked to call in.

If you need to call to request an upgrade, start by telling the agent that you want to upgrade your flight using Avios. It typically takes a few minutes for the agent to confirm availability and price out the upgrade.

If you don't have a ticket yet

If you haven’t yet booked a British Airways flight, you can use the British Airways “Book and Upgrade” tool to figure out the exact cost of booking a flight and then using Avios to upgrade.

Enter the route, dates, cabin you want to book and which legs you want to upgrade (inbound, outbound or both).

upgrade world traveller plus to business

Click “Get flights” to see which flights have an upgrade available.

upgrade world traveller plus to business

On the final page, you’ll get a quote of how much it will cost to book this flight and apply the upgrade.

upgrade world traveller plus to business

The total is the all-inclusive price of the cash ticket plus the cost to upgrade. In this example of a flight from Chicago-O'Hare to London-Heathrow in July 2021, you’d pay $942 and 20,000 Avios for a one-way flight in business class that would otherwise cost over $7,000.

The bottom line

Using Avios to upgrade British Airways flights can help you get solid value, whether that’s upgrading to a lie-flat business class seat or the luxury of first class. However, make sure to factor in the full cost — not just the Avios cost — when determining if upgrading with Avios is right for your situation.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

upgrade world traveller plus to business

The Boutique Adventurer: Luxury Adventure Travel Blog focussed on Emerging Destinations for those over 35

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Is it Worth It? 2024

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 16/02/2024

In 2017 I flew premium economy with Qantas Sydney to Hong Kong return. It was a fantastic experience.

In fact, it was so good it made me question if I could really justify the extra amount to fly business class if it wasn’t an Australia – Europe/US flight.

So when was looking at flying from London to New York – and then Los Angeles to London return – I thought I would give British Airways World Traveller Plus a shot. Which I did back in 2018 and I recently flew with British Airways World Traveller Plus post-Covid in 2022.

I’m going to kick off with an update from 2022 when I flew from Portland to London Heathrow with British Airways in premium economy. My older review involved flying out of London Heathrow so it has quite a bit of information on checking in at Heathrow etc.

⇒ Click here for Prices and Deals on British Airways

  • British Airways World Traveller Plus 2022 update

Table of Contents

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review (2017): Online Check-In

British airways premium economy: bag drop and issues arise, british airways premium economy review: getting to the gate, british airways world traveller plus review: the plane and the seats, ba world traveller plus review: in-flight amenities, premium economy british airways review: some positives, world traveller vs world traveller plus, upgrading to british airways club world, british airways premium economy: the verdict, british airways world traveller plus frequently asked questions, what class is world traveller plus on ba, do you get lounge access with british airways world traveller plus, does world traveller plus on british airways get priority boarding, does world traveller plus on british airways get to use the fast track queue for security, how wide are the world traveller plus british airways seats, booking flights:, boutique hotels in london, who paid for what in this british airways world traveller plus post.

After a long break flying with British Airways in World Traveller Plus I signed up again to try them out in July of 2022. I was flying from London to Washington DC , and then home to London out of Portland. I received an offer that was too good to refuse to upgrade to business class on the flight from Heathrow to Washington DC. This review update covers the Portland to London Heathrow leg in premium economy.

britishairways premium economy seat

I somehow managed to end up on British Airways’s first (not sure if this is the first ever flight but it was certainly the first for a while) direct flight out of Portland to Heathrow. Everyone was in a great mood and there was even cake and sandwiches at the boarding gate for everyone!

britishairways premium economy cabin

As such, we had a very nice new 787 that I believe was a Dreamliner. Few things make me happier than realizing that I am on a relatively new plane as it always means a huge improvement in the premium economy experience.

britishairways premium economy individual seat

When I mentioned to the crew that Virgin Atlantic offers its premium economy passengers prosecco the attendant even went and got me a glass of champagne from business class! As I said, all were in a joyous mood.

britishairways premium economy wing

To be honest, not a lot has changed since the last time I flew World Traveller Plus with British Airways. The 787 I was on had only three rows of premium economy seats. I quite liked this as it normally means faster service and I feel more of a sense of space when the area is smaller. The seat layout was 2-3-2.

britishairways premium economy screen

I had booked in my window seat when I booked the flight as I always do on overnight flights (I find it worth it to pay a bit extra at booking to achieve this).

One thing that has improved is the quality of the headphones in premium economy which are now noise cancelling. Also, the quality of the food on offer has improved. I enjoyed a very nice steak.

britishairways premium economy meal

The Dreamliner 787 also has new touch-operated window screens and better cabin pressurization. If you are able to choose your flight and can see the different planes available, I suggest checking to find the Dreamliner 787 option for world traveller plus as it is definitely a step above premium economy on some of BA’s other planes.

british airways premium economy window adjustment

Unfortunately, things with British Airways World Traveler plus did not get off to a good start. Two days before my flight I went on to the British Airways app and was able to reserve one of the aisles British Airways Premium Economy seats – great.

The next day, when I went to actually check in online I was told that my passport number was wrong and that I wasn’t able to check in.

I then had issues with my uber so only arrived at the airport 90 minutes before my British Airways flight.

british airways world traveller plus seats

I went and used the check-in machine for my premium economy British Airways flight and my seat had changed to a window – which was good news for me. Then I went to the desk for bag drop.

When the attendant is on the phone for some time when all you do is drop your bag, it is not a good sign. I was told by the attendant that I had been “sneaky” taking the window seat.

I was quite annoyed by this and asked how could I be sneaky when the app had done this for me. I was then told that they had overbooked business class and that seat had been meant for someone who was being downgraded to premium economy on British Airways – which meant they now wanted to move me to British Airways economy class.

I was so annoyed. It really makes me furious when airlines do this. Or should I say when British Airways do this as they are the only airline that has tried to bump me from flights several times due to overbooking.

In what other industry would an organization take your money ahead of time and then when you turned up to experience that service be told that you couldn’t as they had overbooked – and that apparently this was fine?

world traveller plus amenities kit and headphones

It is a major problem as a solo traveler as we are at the top of the list when it comes to who gets bumped first when it comes to air travel.

A British Airways staff member once told me that the safest people were those also flying with British Airways from a connecting airport eg Manchester to London and then on to say NY, followed by groups, followed by families and then by couples.

Only the male solo traveler is worse off than the female solo traveler. My annoyance was greater as I had injured my ankle in Nepal earlier that year and absolutely could not have sat in an economy seat for several hours without problems.

Luckily I had a letter from my doctor with me (I had it in case my ankle got worse and I needed medical treatment) so I was able to produce this and say I had to stay in British Air premium economy.

I ended up in British Airways Economy Plus but not without quite a bit of undue stress and frustration. This experience alone has been enough to really put me off flying with British Airways.

I do find it outrageous that you can be potentially bumped like this – and that the staff always seem to act like this is of no consequence and why are you getting upset? OK rant over!

british airways world traveller plus in flight features list

Anyway, the flight was then at Gate A10 at Terminal 5, which means a very long bus trip. I thought we were driving to New York.

BA World Traveller Plus also means no lounge access and no priority seating.

The British Airways World Traveller Plus 777 plane was a little old and compared to Qantas it felt a lot less spacious. The seat layout was 4 in the middle and 2 on each side.

I was on the side thank goodness. I would have been very unhappy to have paid for premium economy and to have had one of the extreme middle seats.

I often wonder who ends up in these seats – are they the people that don’t make sure they do early online check-in? Or maybe they are more tolerant than me.

british airways premium economy headphones

British Airways Premium Economy 747 has good quality headphones which were nice. The British Airways premium economy product also does have a very good in-flight entertainment system.

The British Airways Premium Economy in-flight amenity kit was not bad – socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush and a pen. Great idea to have a pen as everyone needs one on a flight.

There is a lot of legroom and the seats are comfortable on the British Airways 787 Premium Economy flight. I was also pleased to see that there were 2 USB ports in the seat ahead and then 2 power points between the seats.

The food was a big positive for this World Traveller plus review 777 writer. It did feel like an upgrade from economy. We were also offered a lovely glass of sparkling wine before take-off.

british airways world traveller plus main meal

One of my favourite features of British Airways premium economy 777 is that they have a very useful brochure which explains all the features and benefits of the world traveler plus seat – this is such a good idea.

Every premium economy and business class seat is different and you don’t want to miss out when good features can be used.

There was also a good-sized storage locker next to the window which was handy – another reason trying to get the window seat is one of my top tips.

british airways premium economy storage locker for window seats

In March 2018 British Airways made major upgrades to its World Traveller and British Airways Premium Economy 777 cabins at Gatwick on their Boeing 777s.

Both cabins have had their entertainment screens increased by 50% in size. I’m looking forward to checking out the new six-way headrest.

Interestingly these new planes will feature a considerable increase in the number of World Traveller Plus seats – coming from a reduction in Club World. Premium Economy is on the rise.

So what about the rest of the fleet? World Traveller Plus is a major improvement on World Traveller, which doesn’t offer the best seats. Also, there are few opportunities to upgrade within World Traveller – apart from the exit rows.

If you have a long flight or an overnight flight I think the upgrade cost is absolutely worth it.

Theoretically, being in BA World Traveller Plus means it is easier/more likely that you can be upgraded to Club World. BA does offer paid opportunities for upgrades but not all the time – and not necessarily at the best prices.

The best way to check if this is an option for your flight is to visit the Manage My Booking page. The price generally varies between 400 and 700 GBPs.

For frequent flyers, Avios points are a good option for upgrading – or combining Avios points with payment. It is not normally the best use of Avios to upgrade (they tend to be their most effective for less-visited longer trips in economy class in my experience) but it is a good option.

Finally, if you are a frequent flyer and flying World Traveller Plus there is a greater opportunity for an upgrade. This will most likely happen when World Traveller Plus has been booked out and business class has seats.

uniformed army officers in london

Overall, the seat itself is the key difference between world traveller and world traveller plus on British Airways.

On Qantas and other airlines, there does feel like there is more of a difference between the two cabins – particularly when it comes to service.

I was flying with British Airways when they were having extensive problems as an airline so it could not have been fun to be working for them at that time.

However, I am paying the extra and in my view, I do expect a slightly better service. I would hesitate to take British Airways Premium Economy again – mostly driven by nearly being downgraded to economy.

I don’t want to have to worry about this when I am headed to Heathrow. I, of course, would fly with them if there was a good enough deal, but they have certainly moved down my list after this experience.

Here is BA’s full rundown on their premium economy offer and The Telegraph’s Comparisons of Premium Economy Offers including British Airways Premium Economy Reviews

⇒ Prices and Deals on British Airways

britishairways premium economy seat

World traveller plus on British Airways is premium economy. This is a class between economy and business class.

seats and corridor at british airways business class lounge heathrow terminal 5

No, you do not get lounge access with a British Airways World Traveller Plus ticket.

BA World Traveller Plus Review

Yes, World Traveller Plus travelers on British Airways get priority boarding and check-in.

back of the seat with screen and usb ports british airways world traveller plus

No, World Traveller Plus customers on British Airways do not get to use the fast track queue for security.

britishairways premium economy individual seat

The seats in British Airways World Traveller Plus generally have a 38 inch pitch and are 18.5 inches wide. The seats are 1 inch wider than economy and the pitch is 7 inches greater than economy.

I use Skyscanner for all my flights – from economy through to business – click here to Check out SkyScanner 

Artist Residence is located in Pimlico which is fabulously central. It is in a gorgeous 5 store regency building and has a cute bar.

⇒ Read reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

The Portobello Hotel is located in one of London’s best known and cutest neighbourhoods Notting Hill. This is also the hotel where Kate Moss and Johnny Depp filled up the bath with champagne.

Notting Hill London Portobello Hotel bedroom with wallpaper

The hotel is located on a quiet street but is a great location.

the tower of london seen from the thames

The Great Northern Hotel is ridiculously close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations which is incredibly convenient. The hotel dates back to 1854 but has had a major refurb so it feels fresh and modern.

The Hoxton hotel is in the heart of East London in Shoreditch and is a perfect base for exploration. The rooms aren’t huge but the location makes up for it – as does the great value for London with rooms starting at £99 a night.

Regent Street in London with red buses

I covered the cost of my flights on British Airways Premium Economy. This post on British Airways world traveller plus contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and end up making a purchase on that website I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

READ NEXT: American Airlines PREMIUM ECONOMY REVIEW

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My review of British Airways World Traveller Plus

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

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Journeying John

Sunday 5th of March 2023

Glad your food was ok and an upgrade but I have to reportthe reverse, bith in and oit of India, there was no choice and what was actually served was worse than mkat carriers economy meals. As for BA's IT systems and contempt for customers who habe paid for a service they don't recieve. Your experience is far from unique and I wonder if you would ever have got any form of compensation had you not had the ankle injury. BA or the UK brand of IAG are #BestAvoided today.

Amanda OBrien

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

I doubt it on the compensation front John! Luckily BA seems to be getting better but I am still nervous about being kicked off flights when I am travelling solo

Jean-Pierre

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

Interesting you had problems with entering your passport information when checking-in. This has happened twice to me using the BA website. The two occasions have been years apart so BA have not fixed their website.

I eventually found a telephone number to call for website support and after about 40 minutes the agent was able to get my passport info to take. It was very frustrating, especially after paying for the upgrade to World Traveler Plus, the taking more money part of their website works very well.

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Cost to Upgrade to Business Class on British Airways [Ways to Save]

Cost to Upgrade to Business Class

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Relaxing in a lay flat bed in your own private space sipping champagne at 36,000 feet on a 10-hour long-haul flight can be pretty bliss. Business Class on BA is an experience you’re likely to remember but it can be expensive.

The cost to upgrade from Economy to Business Class on a typical route to the US costs an average of £1,102 whereas the cost to upgrade to Business Class from Premium Economy to the US is on average £742.

The cost to upgrade to Business Class will often depend on the route you are traveling, how busy that particular flight is, and whether you are upgrading before or after you have booked your flight.

The British Airways September Sale is on now for flights and holidays – with new flexible policy ! – some big savings this year, here’s the link to check the sale prices

What to Expect in Business Class on a BA Flight

Business Class is a premium offering from many airlines which will enhance your flying experience. This often includes:

  • Lounge access at the airport terminal
  • Faster check-in
  • Fast track through airport security
  • First to board the plane
  • Lay flat bed (on long haul flights usually over 5 hours)
  • More space and legroom
  • Private cabin
  • Attentive service with better food and drink selection at a time to suit you

All these extra benefits and enhancements to your travel experience come at a cost that is usually around four to eight times the price of an economy ticket. Justifying these costs can leave you at odds with yourself. An extra £1,102 could cover an upgrade for your hotel room as well as meals and maybe even car hire for your trip.

Is the standard economy that bad that it’s worth over £1,000 for a bit of extra legroom and china plates to eat from? Unfortunately, and relatively speaking, of course, it can be.

The Business Class offering is, as described, designed for executive Business travel. It’s important for those traveling through the night for business, ready to be in the office the next day, to be able to get some shut-eye. Something we can probably all testify as being rather troublesome in the Economy!

Holidaymakers baulked at the luxury and space being offered to Business Class travelers and wanted in for themselves. Business Class became the aspired class for day-to-day travelers – with First Class remaining the ultra-exclusive flying class reserved for celebrities, C-level executives, and those with more money than they know what to do with.

The Cheapest Time to Upgrade to Business Class on BA

BA Business Class Lay Flat Bed

It’s almost always cheaper to upgrade to Business Class before you’ve purchased your flight ticket. It’s possible of course to upgrade your flight after you’ve bought your ticket but the closer you get to your flight date the more expensive flight tickets become, and therefore more expensive your upgrade cost.

Buying a Business Class seat in off-peak season can also reduce the cost of your flight fare. In some cases, the Business Class fare can be as much as 50% cheaper to fly during off-peak, so flexibility is your friend here.

Look out for flight sales – (Update: BA sale now on until March !) . British Airways regularly run sales of some kind or another but a couple of times a year the big sales really help drive down the cost of Business Class, and in some cases a long haul flight to the USA can cost under £1,000!

These days are almost becoming a distant memory as flight prices, with inflation, continue to rise. The cheaper economy fares become, as the airlines battle for competition in this space, the more expensive Business Class and First Class seats have to become to compensate.

This though holds a benefit for Business Class travelers as benefits and experiences offered by the airlines naturally need to become better to keep those lucrative customers loyal.

Cheapest Ways to Upgrade to Business Class on British Airways

By far the cheapest way to upgrade to Business Class on BA is to collect BA Avios Points. By joining the BA Executive Club (airline member for free) you open up the opportunity to collect BA Avios Points and Tier Points each time you fly.

Collect enough Avios Points and you can turn these into a free upgrade from Premium Economy.

You can’t, I’m afraid, upgrade from Economy to Business Class on British Airways on long-haul flights with Avios Points.

You can though on short-haul flights where Premium Economy is not offered on the flight. You can upgrade to the next cabin on BA flights. So, on short-haul, this is Economy to Business Class but on long-haul, the order is Economy -> Premium Economy -> Business Class -> First Class.

For more information on the distinctions between British Airways flight seat classes:

  • British Airways Economy vs Business Class
  • British Airways Business Class vs First Class

Upgrade to Business Class for free using Avios Points

The number of Avios Points needed to upgrade does depend on your route and whether you’re flying off-peak or peak time. Flying to the US can cost as few as 44,000 Avios Points to upgrade to Business Class from Premium Economy. If you check your Avios balance and see 2,000 points sitting there, it may be a little disheartening.

Unfortunately collecting Avios whilst flying in Economy class is one of the slowest ways you can build up your Avios Points (unless you are flying multiple times every month). In fact, open a Barclays Avios Bank Account and you will earn more Avios Points as a bonus each month than if you were to fly Economy to New York twice a month!

The Barclays Avios Bank Account costs £12 per month (far cheaper than flying return to the Big Apple) but you will need a gross income of £75,000 or more per year to be eligible.

What Can Avios Points Get You?

Most people know that Avios flights can be used for free flights, but that's just 1 (of 8+) ways you can spend. Check out the full list of options...

Collect Enough Avios Points for an Upgrade to Business Class

Surprised Points Builder

There are ways to collect enough Avios Points for an upgrade to Business Class – and you don’t even need to take to the skies either.

Here are just four of the many ways to collect over 70,000 Avios Points without spending much more than you do today:

  • 25,000 Avios Points – Take out the BA Amex Plus Credit Card (spend and annual fee terms apply). This is enough for some free Economy tickets .
  • 25,000 Avios Points – Open up a Barclays Avios Bank Account and switch from your existing current account (minimum gross annual income terms apply)
  • 18,000 Avios Points – Annual bonus points for having the Barclays Avios Bank Account
  • 5,000 Avios Points – Estimated annual Avios Points available if you carry out your weekly grocery shop in Tesco, fill up your petrol tank at Sainsbury’s Petrol Station or Esso, and convert your Nectar Points to BA Avios points

You should also read our guide on earning enough Avios points for a free flight which will show you all the ways you can earn Avios Points for either a free flight or upgrade

How to Get a Free Upgrade on Your Next Flight

If the costs of upgrading to Business Class are too high, and you don’t yet have enough Avios Points yet, do not quit just yet. There are ways to increase your chances of a free upgrade on your next flight. No methods are guaranteed but having been upgraded multiple times on various flights I have picked up a tip or two on ways you can increase your chances of those magical words ‘You’ve been upgraded!’

I remember my first-ever free upgrade. I was in my late twenties and flying overnight to India. My cabin was Premium Economy and although I felt rather excited about the trip, I hit a state of shock as the check-in clerk uttered that wonderfully sounding phrase ‘Oh! You’ve been upgraded!’.

I’m not sure if the shock left my face or my body as she handed me my Business Class ticket. Part of the condition of the upgrade meant the lounge wasn’t part of the deal – but hey my trip was just about to get unimaginably better, and my first time in Business Class.

She loosely directed me towards what looked like some kind of secret airport passage and told me ‘Airport security that way.

I stood there for some time, with my hand luggage in hand and my Business Class ticket aloft in the air wondering what I do now until another member of the flight crew took my ticket out of my hand and waved it in front of the door sensor and said ‘It’s through there.

The corridor was dark and long and reminded me of that nervous walk Dorothy and friends had in the Emerald City on their way to see the Wizard!

As the corridor turned ahead of me, I could see a light at the end of the tunnel and what looked like a secret airport security section ahead just waiting for me. I’ll stop here as I could go on for many more words yet but suffice is to say the overall experience had me well and truly hooked and the main catalyst for The Points Insider website you are reading now.

If you want to increase this experience, I suggest you read my article on how to get a free upgrade on a flight .

Is it Cheaper to Upgrade to Business Class at the Airport?

The short answer is that Yes, it is often cheaper to upgrade to business class at the airport, but you also run the risk of there not being any seats available to upgrade TO.

Just like with most airfare, prices generally rise in the weeks leading up to a scheduled flight departure. Then, in the days before a flight, prices can rapidly (including upgrade costs) can rapidly drop on under booked flights.

Seasoned travelers can often snag cheaper upgrades at check-in or at the gate, but there are a few conditions that make this more likely.

  • Traveling at off-peak times . During travel season, don’t expect there to by ample seats, but if traveling during off-peak times you can often get cheaper upgrades.
  • Lifetime loyalty . If you are a frequent flyer or longtime member, this can often help get priority at the gate.
  • Arriving early.  If you are at the gate early, talking to the gate agent can sometimes help expedite things, at least putting your name in.

While I don’t encourage this tactic in excess, if there’s any travel issue (even a slight delay), you can use this to your advantage to request a cheaper (or free) upgrade.

Cost to Upgrade to Business Class on British Airways – In Summary

Cost of Upgrading to Business ClassCost of Upgrading to Business Class

Business Class isn’t a cheap experience. There are ways to reduce the costs considerably through the BA Executive Club and Avios Points program – and you could always try and blag your way to a free upgrade – but if not, the costs can seem a little on the expensive side.

At a cost of between £742 and £1,102, depending on your original class of flight, an upgrade may seem too steep, but it is worth breaking this down a little. A return flight to the US will take a minimum of 16 hours and up to 24 hours depending on where you’re flying to and how many stop-overs you have.

If you break down the extra costs on a per-hour basis this would work out between £30.91 and £68.87 per hour. If you factor the airport lounge time in this as well, the per-hour upgrade is now between £24.73 and £45.91 per hour (assuming you spend 3 hours in the lounge per leg of your flight).

It may be more palatable to think about in this way.

My preferred option for upgrading to Business Class is to buy a Premium Economy fare and upgrade using Avios Points. Collecting 45,000 Avios Points in a year is certainly achievable for most without changing your spending habits too much and with the Premium Economy fare roughly £300 more expensive than Economy it feels the option for the best of both worlds.

Happy flying!

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Simple Flying

Is british airways premium economy worth the upgrade.

For the right price, World Traveller Plus offers a much more comfortable flight.

  • Premium economy, known as World Traveller Plus on British Airways, offers better seating and a smaller cabin for a more comfortable flight experience.
  • World Traveller Plus fares offer additional luggage allowance and faster check-in on the ground, while in the air, service is faster and meals have more choice.
  • Upgrading to World Traveller Plus can earn you additional Avios and Tier Points, making it a valuable option for frequent flyers chasing status.

Premium economy has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more airlines introducing the cabin between economy and business class. British Airways is no exception, and the airline has a good, but not top-rated, cabin and service on offer.

British Airways World Traveller Plus

Like many airlines, British Airways offers a premium economy cabin on long haul flights. It was one of the first airlines globally to do so. The cabin is now offered on all its long-haul widebody aircraft and routes.

British Airways names its cabin products differently. Premium economy is known as World Traveller Plus (with economy class being World Traveller, and business class Club World). The World Traveller Plus cabin is an upgraded offering over an increasingly cramped World Traveller cabin, but it is far from the flatbeds and better service in Club World.

Of course, the value of any cabin upgrade depends on the price. As with any airline, there are large variations in this. On many routes, however, British Airways prices World Traveller Plus very competitively (this is not usually the case with Club World). The cabin can be available for a relatively small price increase, especially during regular sales and promotions.

It is also possible to upgrade to World Traveller Plus using Avios – see our guide to using Avios for more details.

Better seating and a smaller cabin

The main reason to upgrade to the World Traveller Plus is for the improved seating. This generally makes for a much more comfortable flight and is a major consideration on long routes. A day flight to New York might not be worlds apart, but you will really notice the difference on a 14-hour overnight Asian flight.

While there can be small differences between aircraft, British Airways typically offers reclining seats with 38 inches of legroom (seat pitch) and a seat width of around 18.5 inches. This compares with a standard in World Traveller of 31 inches pitch and 17.5 inches width. Seating information here is based on seatguru.com .

The cabin is also smaller, leading to a (hopefully) more relaxing experience and better service. On the Boeing 787-9 there are 29 seats (compared to 127 seats in World Traveller), rising to 56 on the A350-1000 (against 219 in the World Traveller cabin).

There are other small improvements over the World Traveller seat. There is a fold-out leg rest, a larger tray table, and larger fixed armrests. There is no real additional storage (the exception being on the Airbus A380 where there are side storage panels for the window seats).

The seat-back screen is slightly larger, and you are (usually) offered better noise-canceling headsets. The entertainment system is the same (albeit very good) as other cabins, and there is no included WiFi or additional benefits.

Read about the best premium economy cabins on offer

Better service – on the ground and in the air

On the ground, there are some important differences. World Traveller Plus fares (paid or upgraded) offer an additional luggage allowance (of two checked-in bags). This could be an expensive addition if needed on a normal economy fare. Mid and top-tier Executive Club members (and one world equivalents) can take an additional bag as well. You will also get faster check-in (usually with dedicated World Traveller Plus desks) but not access to fast-track security or any departure lounges.

In the air, the differences are arguably smaller. There is no pre-departure drinks service (although this was offered in the past, so may change again). Main meals in theory have more choice (although in recent experience, I have come across very limited loading of some options), and the drinks menu is largely the same. With the smaller cabin, service is usually much faster (especially useful on a night flight when you want to rest as soon as possible).

Flight Review: Hong Kong to London In Premium Economy On British Airways' Boeing 787-9

Don’t forget avios and tier points.

As a final consideration for upgrading, bear in mind the value of the additional Avios and Tier Points. Now that British Airways Executive Club has switched to a revenue-based earning method for Avios, this is much less of a consideration. But if you want to be strategic (and are not interested in status with Executive Club), you could credit flights to many alternative one world loyalty programs (such as Qatar Airways) and earn based on the cabin and flight length. Premium economy traditionally earns much higher here than economy fares.

Love learning about points and miles? Read more of our loyalty news and guides here .

If you are chasing status with Executive Club, choosing a World Traveller Plus fare will make a big difference. On a return flight from London to Hong Kong, for example, any World Traveller Plus fare will earn 200 Tier Points – in the lowest World Traveller fares, this would be just 40 Tier Points (rising to 160 Tier Points for expensive full-fare tickets).

Have you flown British Airways World Traveller Plus? Would you like to share your experiences and value you see in the upgrade to the cabin? Feel free to do so in the comments section below.

British Airways

This Life in Trips - Living life, one trip at a time.

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review [2023]

upgrade world traveller plus to business

After a rocky flight across the pond, I decided to do a British Airways World Traveller Plus Review. Is it worth the cost? Read on.

There are few things that make me happier while travelling than getting an upgrade on a long flight. That is what happened in this British Airways World Traveller Plus review…and I’m not sure why. I have theories and will share them in a post soon, but for now, know that this British Airways World Traveller Plus review is by no means sponsored but did make this guy one happy flier.

That said, let’s find out if Is BA World Traveller Plus worth it.

Table of Contents

BA World Traveller Plus Review Summary

British Airways World Traveller Plus is a premium economy class that offers extra legroom, a wider seat, and other amenities. The cabin features a 2-3-2 seating configuration, personal in-flight entertainment screens, and a complimentary amenity kit.

The food and service are generally regarded as good, and passengers can also enjoy priority boarding and additional baggage allowance. However, the seats may not recline as much as some passengers would like, and the cost may be relatively high compared to other premium economy offerings.

Overall, British Airways World Traveller Plus is a solid option for those looking for a more comfortable travel experience without breaking the bank.

What Is The Difference Between British Airways Premium Economy & Business Class?

Economy Plus should really be thought of as “Business Class M inus .” For the most part, the service is the same minus the lay flatbeds. From what I saw while boarding and exiting the British Airways 747-400 on a recent trip to Europe, the Business Class seats are not that spread out and looked crowded…at least more so than flying Swiss Air or EgyptAir . Curious, and as I always do, on my return trip I spoke with the agent at the customer service desk. “How much for an upgrade to Business Class?” I said with a smile. To my horror, the agent said it would be over $7,000!

Paying an additional $7,000 at check-in seems incredibly dumb. An extra $390 for premium economy on a 9 1/2 hour flight, not so much. Thankfully, I didn’t have to do either and got an upgrade for free.

With that in mind, here is my British Airways World Traveller Plus review and why I think it offers some serious value.

upgrade world traveller plus to business

Route: London to Vancouver Aircraft: 747-400 Seat: 35B Highlights : Entertainment and High Tea Low lights:  Meals

How to Upgrade to BA World Traveller Plus

To upgrade to BA World Traveller Plus, you can do so in a few ways:

  • During booking: When booking your flight, you can choose to upgrade to World Traveller Plus during the booking process. You will see the option to upgrade if it is available for your flight.
  • Online: If you have already booked your flight, you can check to see if an upgrade is available through the Manage My Booking section of the British Airways website.
  • At the airport: You may also be able to upgrade to World Traveller Plus at the airport on the day of your flight, subject to availability.

Keep in mind that upgrading typically comes at an additional cost, so you should weigh the benefits against the extra expense to determine if BA World Traveller Plus is worth it for you.

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review – Seats

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

British Airways website boasts wider seats and more legroom in Premium Economy which, although true, is by no means spacious. There is ample legroom, decent recline, and a footrest for stretching out. 

Note: seats are  2×4×2 on the BA 747–400 so ensure to book seats A/B or H/J for maximum comfort!

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review – Service

Essentially, the meal service, amenities, and entertainment system are the same as Business Class. Seats include USB power and standard outlets (Europe and UK style). Where British Airways Economy Plus really differs from Economy Class is the seats and entertainment system.

  READ MORE:     Turkish Air Business Class Review

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

The amenities bag on this World Traveller Plus review was standard but lacking compared to those I found on Swissair , EgyptAir , and  Turkish Airlines.  Inside you will find earplugs, socks, a toothbrush and paste, a pen, and an eye mask.

Also inside you will find premium headphones, a nice touch, however, I prefer to stick to my favourite travel companion – the Bose-QuietComfort-25.

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

One negative on this World Traveller Plus review was the dinner tray. Mine sagged heavily in the middle which made eating and writing a bit awkward. A minor annoyance in the end but an annoyance nonetheless.

BA World Traveller Plus Review –  Food & Drink

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

Meals in Premium Economy are similar to what is served in Business Class except that they are not presented as nicely…or so I hope. Beyond the sloppy presentation, the food was just OK. I had an overcooked piece of beef with salty gravy and a neon salad.

The highlight of the meal service aboard this British Airways flight was the highest High Tea I have ever had. Well played BA.

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

World Traveller Plus Review –  Entertainment

The entertainment system is a huge upgrade over those found in Economy. The screen is much larger, brighter, and more responsive than those found in coach. My screen on the flight to Europe in Economy was so bad I could not get through a single movie. No worries, I made up for it in World Traveller Plus.

   READ MORE:  Norwegian Airlines Premium Economy Review

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

So, is British Airways World Traveller Plus Worth it?

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

Given my experience in Economy ( and recent reports of bedbugs! ), I believe an upgrade to British Airways World Traveller Plus is worth it for the extra pounds, especially if you are flying long distances. If you are looking to just sleep and can do so in cramped spaces then there’s not much for you in an upgrade.

As mentioned, I was upgraded but feel that BA World Traveller Plus is worth it for the extra comfort, meals, and space.

If you want to enjoy business-class services and amenities at a fraction of the cost (minus the lay flatbed) then the upgrade to British Airways World Travel Plus is highly recommended.

   READ MORE:  WestJet Premium Economy Review

What say you? Thoughts on this  British Airways W orld Traveller Plus Review ? Let’s hear it!

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

For more luxury travel reviews from business class and beyond see HERE .

So how does British Airways World Traveller Plus rank?

Shaun Robertson

This Life in Trips is Going on a #GreatCoastRoadTrip !

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Cabin upgrades

Upgrade offers at the airport are subject to availability on the day of travel and are offered on a first come first served basis. To check if an upgrade is available on your flight, please speak to a member of British Airways staff at the airport who can advise you of the current availability and price.

Customers who purchase an upgrade can benefit from the full entitlements of the upgraded cabin, including increased baggage allowances.

Full Terms and Conditions apply.

Our travel classes

First cabin.

World Traveller Plus

  • This is a limited special offer and so we can only guarantee this price if you book now. If you come back later the price may have changed or the offer may have sold out.
  • Promotional upgrades are one-way only and are offered on a first come first served basis to those customers eligible for this promotion who have booked a qualifying flight, and subject to availability. Therefore in certain periods there may be no upgrades available.
  • A qualifying flight is a one-way flight flown on services operated by British Airways, BA City Flyer and Open Skies (but not on flights operated wholly or partly by its franchisees/codeshare partners/ one world ® alliance members).
  • British Airways accepts no liability for any inability to take up the offer if upgrade seats in the Club Europe/World Traveller Plus/Club World/First cabin are not available on a given date even though seats may still be available at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
  • Promotional upgrades are available online or on the day of departure at the airport for selected flights and selected ticket types subject to availability.
  • Promotional upgrades are intended for use on occasional basis, and therefore are not offered to customers every time they travel. A variety of factors, including seat availability, ticket type and prior take up of promotional upgrades will affect whether a customer is selected to participate in the promotional upgrade offer.
  • Checked baggage allowance and lounge access are in accordance with the upgraded cabin entitlement and apply to the upgraded part of your journey only.
  • If you reserved a seat in your original cabin, you will be asked to pay any difference in price to reserve a seat in the upgraded cabin. If you no longer wish to pay for a reserved seat in the upgraded cabin, you can apply for a refund .
  • Infants may be charged 10% of the upgrade fare.
  • The offer is not available to passengers travelling as unaccompanied minors (child aged up to 18 years old).
  • Promotional upgrades are non-refundable and the original fare conditions apply to any upgraded ticket.
  • Customers who change their travel arrangements after the date of booking will not be eligible for this promotion unless their revised travel arrangements also constitute a qualifying flight. In the event that the flight is not a qualifying flight, customers will travel in the cabin they originally booked and if they wish to travel in the upgraded class they will be required to pay the normal upgrade fare applicable in accordance with British Airways standard fare rules. The amount paid for the upgrade can be used as credit towards the new upgrade fare.
  • In case of a flight cancellation, if the customer is re-booked on another carrier, the upgrade fee will be refunded and the customer will be booked in the cabin class as purchased on their original ticket. If the customer is re-booked on British Airways, we will attempt to accommodate the passenger in the same cabin which the customer has upgraded to, provided it is available.
  • If the same cabin is not available the upgrade fee will be refunded and the customer will be seated in the cabin class as purchased on their original ticket. If a refund of the original purchased ticket is applicable, the refund will be in accordance with the fare rules applicable at time of original purchase.
  • If the aircraft has to be substituted for one which does not have a higher class cabin, customers will be seated in the cabin class as purchased on their original ticket and the upgrade fee will be refunded.
  • This promotion is only available on routes offering a higher class cabin.
  • Promotional upgrades are non-transferable and no cash or credit alternatives will be offered.
  • Members of the British Airways Executive Club are eligible for Avios and Tier Points associated with the higher cabin. In the event that these are not credited at the time of the flight, they can be claimed retrospectively within six months through ba.com once travel has been completed. Customers who upgrade from a redemption ticket are not eligible for Avios or Tier points in either the original or upgraded cabin.
  • All passengers are carried by British Airways in accordance with its General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage and its Notice and Conditions of Contract as stated on each ticket or itinerary as provided.
  • British Airways reserves the right to cancel or amend any or all of the terms and conditions of this promotion, without notice, in the event of a major catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, earthquake or any actual anticipated or alleged breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other similar event outside the reasonable control of British Airways.
  • British Airways is in no way liable for the reproduction or indirect access via any third party website or homepage access which reproduction misstates or omits any of the information or terms and conditions of this promotion.
  • This promotion is governed by English law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Promotional materials form part of these terms and conditions.
  • The promoter is: British Airways Plc, Waterside, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth UB7 OGB, Registered No. 1777777 England.

IMAGES

  1. World Traveller Plus

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

  2. British Airways announces upgrades to World Traveller Plus

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

  3. British Airways announces new World Traveller Plus amenities

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

  4. Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

  5. World Traveller Plus Review

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

  6. Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy

    upgrade world traveller plus to business

VIDEO

  1. HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD AND GET COMPANIES TO PAY FOR IT

  2. British Airways World Traveller Plus #travel#somebloke

  3. British Airways World Traveller Plus Los Angeles to London

  4. Traveller's upgrade material lore theory

  5. British Airways BA194 World Traveller Twins Seats In Economy Class on The Boeing 777-200ER #shorts

  6. British Airways A380 First Class Dubai to London Heathrow

COMMENTS

  1. Flight upgrades with Avios

    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): Club World: 60,000 Avios - World Traveller Plus: 40,000 Avios = 20,000 Avios to upgrade

  2. How To Upgrade To British Airways Business Class For Your Next Flight

    Business class, known as Club Europe and Club World with British Airways, offers a much more comfortable flight with better service. On all widebody aircraft, you will get a fully flat bed - and new Club Suites on some routes. ... For example, to upgrade from World Traveller Plus to Club World on a flight to New York would cost from (based on ...

  3. How Many Avios to Upgrade

    We have collated all the information for the 2021 to 2022 season, and show you how many Avios to upgrade to all major destinations across the world! All Avios upgrade points below are based on a flight from the UK and as a single one way flight. For a return flight, simply double the Avios shown.

  4. How many Avios points do I need to upgrade to Business Class?

    The cost of the upgrade is the difference between a standard Avios redemption in the two classes. A one-way peak Premium Economy / World Traveller Plus ticket to Dubai is 40,000 Avios for example, whilst Business Class / Club World is 60,000 Avios. It would therefore cost 20,000 Avios each-way to upgrade the ticket.

  5. How to Upgrade to Business Class on British Airways in 2024

    Go to "Manage My Booking.". 3. Click "Executive Club" and then "Spend Avios.". 4. Look for "Reward Flights.". 5. Search for empty seats in the next cabin up from yours. If there are available seats in the next higher fare class, you may be able to upgrade with cash or points.

  6. How to Upgrade to Business and First Class on British Airways

    Type in the class you want to upgrade to, type in the number of passengers, and click Get flights. Searching for award availability looks a lot like this. Simple, straightforward, and easy. Image Credit: British Airways. When you're upgrading with points, there's one rule you must know.

  7. BA

    How many classes can I upgrade? An Avios upgrade is always to the next cabin, which can vary depending on the route and airline. For example: 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 ...

  8. How does 'Upgrade Using Avios' work with British Airways?

    The new 'base' pricing for Business Class to New York, off peak and return, is 160,000 Avios + £350. The new 'base' price for Premium Economy to New York is 85,000 Avios + £280. On this basis, 'Upgrade Using Avios' from Premium Economy to Business Class should cost (160,000 - 85,000) 75,000 Avios on an off-peak date.

  9. BA

    February 2024. Eight reasons to upgrade to World Traveller Plus. Positioned comfortably between our economy (World Traveller) and business (Club World) cabins, World Traveller Plus allows for extra leg-stretching and more baggage-boasting compared to its economy counterpart - making it the most attainable upgrade for those not in need of ...

  10. British Airways business class upgrade guide

    August 31-September 5. October 14-29. December 15-January 3 2018. On a British Airways journey from Sydney through to London, you'd need 50,000 Avios to upgrade from premium economy to business class during peak times, or a higher 60,000 Avios for the same upgrade during off-peak windows. Closer to home, upgrading your BA premium economy ...

  11. Brilliant Guide To British Airways Upgrades Using Avios Or Cash

    Business class off peak is 50,000 points, and premium is 26,000 points so an upgrade from business to first would require 18,000 Avios (68,000-50,000) and premium to business 24,000 points (50,000-26,000). ... (World Traveller Plus to Club World) or business to first (Club World to First) are the best values, ...

  12. How (and Why) to Upgrade Your British Airways Flight Using Avios

    The cost to upgrade a British Airways flight using Avios is based on that flight's award price. Say you booked a flight in premium economy and wanted to upgrade to business class. If an award in ...

  13. British Airways' World Traveller Plus Premium Economy Cabin: Everything

    British Airways' World Traveller Plus cabin is between business and economy classes and configured in a 2+4+2 layout. It offers 18.5-inch seats with an 8% recline, which is great for sleeping but not so good if the person in front of you wants to recline fully, as it intrudes on your personal space. Each seat has individual charging points, and ...

  14. How To Upgrade Your British Airways Flights With Avios

    However if you were upgrading from World Traveller to World Traveller Plus, the UK APD Tax would jump from £78: ... For short-haul flights you can upgrade from economy to business class because that is a one-class upgrade, because there is no premium economy on these flights. As this just slides into a Zone 1 off-peak, it would be 7,750 Avios ...

  15. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Is it Worth It? 2024

    BA World Traveller Plus Review: In-flight amenities. British Airways Premium Economy 747 has good quality headphones which were nice. The British Airways premium economy product also does have a very good in-flight entertainment system. The British Airways Premium Economy in-flight amenity kit was not bad - socks, eye mask, earplugs ...

  16. How do you upgrade World Traveller Plus flights with Avios?

    The cost to upgrade is the difference between a Club World and World Traveller Plus '100% Avios' redemption. New York, peak dates, is 120,000 Avios for a Club World return flight and 80,000 Avios for World Traveller Plus. An upgrade from World Traveller Plus is therefore 40,000 Avios return or 20,000 Avios one-way.

  17. World Traveller Plus

    Stay connected to the world below or relax and leave it all behind in our World Traveller Plus cabin. You can lose yourself for hours in a blockbuster film or gripping series thanks to our huge on-demand entertainment library. You'll get. A personal flat screen and noise-cancelling headphones. High-speed Wi-Fi on most aircraft.

  18. Cost to Upgrade to Business Class on British Airways [Ways to Save]

    The cost to upgrade from Economy to Business Class on a typical route to the US costs an average of £1,102 whereas the cost to upgrade to Business Class from Premium Economy to the US is on average £742. The cost to upgrade to Business Class will often depend on the route you are traveling, how busy that particular flight is, and whether you ...

  19. Is British Airways Premium Economy Worth The Upgrade?

    Upgrading to World Traveller Plus can earn you additional Avios and Tier Points, making it a valuable option for frequent flyers chasing status. Premium economy has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more airlines introducing the cabin between economy and business class. British Airways is no exception, and the airline ...

  20. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review

    What Is The Difference Between British Airways Premium Economy & Business Class? Economy Plus should really be thought of as "Business Class Minus." ... To upgrade to BA World Traveller Plus, you can do so in a few ways: During booking: When booking your flight, you can choose to upgrade to World Traveller Plus during the booking process. ...

  21. Cabin upgrades

    Cabin upgrades. Upgrade offers at the airport are subject to availability on the day of travel and are offered on a first come first served basis. To check if an upgrade is available on your flight, please speak to a member of British Airways staff at the airport who can advise you of the current availability and price.

  22. British Airways unveils cabin upgrades, free ...

    A three-times-weekly service between Gatwick and Bangkok will be operated on a on a three-class Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, configured with 32 Club, 48 World Traveller Plus and 252 World Traveller ...

  23. World traveler plus

    I flew LHR - JFK last week with a corporate travel agency booked World Traveller Plus / Premium Economy ticket. While checking in at the desk I asked which seat I was in to check and the agent said a business class seat - so I was upgraded without being told (great news!) I'm just wondering if upgrades without being told happen on these sorts ...