BA Gold Upgrade for two Voucher Question – HFP guide incorrect?

[Rob S]

Hi all,

In the 2024 HFP guidance for the gold upgrade for two voucher, the criteria for use includes “cash tickets are still available in the cheapest selling ‘bucket’, which is ‘A’ for First Class, ‘I’ for Club World and ‘T’ for World Traveller Plus”

I had all my ducks in a row and confirmed I class seats available, made the call and was told I can ONLY use the Gold Upgrade For 2 voucher where there are AVIOS seats available (i.e. business class avios reward seats i.e. for LHR-HND=never)

I’m usually more likely to believe HFP than BA, but I’ve hit a wall here. Is it possible the guidance is no longer correct? ( HFP page: https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/01/what-is-a-british-airways-gold-upgrade-for-two-for-one-voucher-3/) or is it worth pushing back with BA and I was just unlucky with my sales person at BA?
Many thanks!
Rob S

[Rob]

The old rule was you needed Avios seats UNLESS you booked via a travel agent, in which case you could have A / I / T.

This changed in 2019 – https://www.headforpoints.com/2019/07/01/british-airways-makes-genuine-improvements-to-the-gold-upgrade-for-2-voucher/

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Rob S wrote:

Hi all,

I had all my ducks in a row and confirmed I class seats available, made the call and was told I can ONLY use the Gold Upgrade For 2 voucher where there are AVIOS seats available (i.e. business class avios reward seats i.e. for LHR-HND=never)

Many thanks!
Rob S

Which is incorrect because 4 club seats are released on every flight and numerous people manage to bag them.

Just because BA might not release any more isn’t the same as them never releasing any.

[e14]

Rob S wrote:

Hi all,

In the 2024 HFP guidance for the gold upgrade for two voucher, the criteria for use includes “cash tickets are still available in the cheapest selling ‘bucket’, which is ‘A’ for First Class, ‘I’ for Club World and ‘T’ for World Traveller Plus”

I had all my ducks in a row and confirmed I class seats available, made the call and was told I can ONLY use the Gold Upgrade For 2 voucher where there are AVIOS seats available (i.e. business class avios reward seats i.e. for LHR-HND=never)

I’m usually more likely to believe HFP than BA, but I’ve hit a wall here. Is it possible the guidance is no longer correct? ( HFP page: https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/02/01/what-is-a-british-airways-gold-upgrade-for-two-for-one-voucher-3/) or is it worth pushing back with BA and I was just unlucky with my sales person at BA?
Many thanks!
Rob S

HUACA – call You First and let us know how you get on.

[davedent]

This has happened to me a couple of times – what is happening is that the agent is confusing a GU42 with a Barclays upgrade voucher – you need to be persistent and explain its a gold upgrade voucher – if no luck as to speak to a supervisor.