Barclays Upgrade Voucher

[thejdawg11]

For September 2024, I am planning a trip for my partner and myself where the outward flight would be Heathrow to Boston (with subsequent Boston to Orlando and Orlando to Heathrow flights).

I’ve just received a Barclays Upgrade Voucher, and will have about 20k Avios by the time I am looking to book the flights. If I were to use the Upgrade Voucher, I’d probably be looking to do the two people/one way upgrade on the Heathrow to Boston flight.

My understanding is that I can only use the Upgrade Voucher on an Avios-only booking, and if booking Business Class, I’d pay the Business class seat taxes and then the Avios needed to book in Premium Economy. So, if the flight is a ‘peak’ flight, I’d need to purchase additional Avios to get myself up to 120k Avios (60k per person).

In terms of my options, what would people recommend?

1. Providing there is availability, purchase the additional Avios and book using my Upgrade Voucher (which looks like it would be c.£1,800 for 100k Avios I would need + taxes).
2. Providing there is availability, use the “Book with money, upgrade with Avios” option, and book Premium Economy seats and upgrade to Business (which looks like it would be c.£400 for 20k Avios I would need + Premium Economy fare + taxes).
3. Just purchase tickets with cash.
4. Another option other than the above 3.

[NorthernLass]

As you’ve spotted, 20k avios won’t get you very far and you’ll need to re-assess your collecting strategy if you want to book award travel in the long term. You should have earned more than this from the Barclaycard, or have you already used those?

I would say that buying avios for redeeming on a US east coast route may not be a good option as cash fares can be very reasonable. If travelling off-peak though, the avios required should be 42,500 each for PE, so it’s worth looking if you can be flexible with your dates.

If you do use the upgrade voucher on the outbound, how do you plan to get home, as cash fares one-way are generally extremely expensive and will negate any savings you make by making an award booking for your outbound leg?