Loading Page...

Can I upgrade with Avios after booking?

You won't be able to upgrade with Avios at the airport or on board. if you have an existing booking – log in to Manage My Booking, select your flight and choose “Upgrade this flight with Avios” to see if your flight can be upgraded.



Yes, you can upgrade with Avios after booking your flight on British Airways, provided there is Reward Flight availability in the next cabin. This is one of the most popular ways to use points in 2026. You can typically upgrade a cash booking by one cabin—for example, from Economy (World Traveller) to Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus), or from Business (Club World) to First. To do this, you log into "Manage My Booking" on the British Airways website, select your flight, and look for the "Upgrade this flight with Avios" option. It is important to know that the lowest-priced Economy fares (specifically those in fare classes Q, O, and G) are generally excluded from Avios upgrades. The "cost" in Avios is the difference between the Reward Flight price of the cabin you booked and the cabin you want to move into. You will also be responsible for paying any difference in taxes, fees, and carrier charges, which can be significant on long-haul routes. If no space is available, you can set alerts using third-party tools to notify you if an upgrade slot opens up before your departure.

People Also Ask

Can I still collect Avios if I have already booked my flights? Yes, just add your membership number to your booking on the airline partner's website. You can find your membership number on the My Avios page once you have signed in. If you have already flown and think your Avios are missing, Contact us.

MORE DETAILS

If the seat is available, the passenger pays for the upgrade on the flight. So while you shouldn't expect a free upgrade on a flight, you can still ask for upgrades from booking till boarding — and you may be able to pay your way to a much more comfortable seat.

MORE DETAILS

Upgrade a new flight as you book Use our 'book and upgrade' form to search for availability and make your booking. Select the class of travel you wish to upgrade from when searching.

MORE DETAILS

If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

MORE DETAILS

How To Upgrade To Business Class For Free
  1. Get With the Program. If you are a regular traveller and you fly a lot, it's worth sticking to one airline and joining their frequent flyer program. ...
  2. Get A Branded Credit Card. ...
  3. Know Your Aircraft. ...
  4. Arrive Early. ...
  5. Volunteer To Sit This One Out. ...
  6. Ask For It. ...
  7. Fly Midweek or Redeye. ...
  8. Go Solo.


MORE DETAILS

Depend on the airline and the economy fare you booked the trip. Usually, the cheapest fare will no allow upgrade. US airlines are also more likely to let you upgrade on check-in - if there are seats available - for a smaller fee. European airlines are less likely to do it, or they charge an arm and a leg.

MORE DETAILS

The value of British Airways Avios is 1.83 cents per avios, on average. That means 10,000 British Airways Avios have a value of roughly $183. British Airways Avios are more valuable than the average airline miles, which are worth 1.32 cents each, as a result.

MORE DETAILS

One way to get a free upgrade on British Airways would be to take advantage of their frequent flyer program, Executive Club. This program allows customers to gain a certain number of points each time they fly. Once they accumulate enough points, they can redeem them for upgrades to business or first-class.

MORE DETAILS

If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

MORE DETAILS