Reply To: Newbie question using Amex points for a BA flight upgrade

[Peter K]

Hi. Sounds like you need to do quite a bit of reading up. I suggest you start with reading this:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/10/03/what-can-you-do-with-american-express-membership-rewards-points-3/

But in answer your question, to use them on British Airways you need to turn them into avios first. You need to do some reading up on the program however, for example you can’t do a double upgrade on BA. If you book a long haul economy ticket you can only upgrade to premium economy (and only certain economy tickets can be upgraded). To upgrade to business you need to book premium economy. To first you need to book business. There also needs to be redemption availability in the class you are trying to upgrade into.

Virgin will allow a double upgrade, but again only certain economy tickets can be upgraded.

A less value wise way to buy any ticket is to pay cash on the plat card then use the points for a statement credit. This is poor value however.

As I said, you need to do a bit a reading up. We can help, but you need a bit of knowledge first to understand the help better.