Cabin Upgrade voucher for Far East routes (WTP vs CW) + (Peak vs Off Peak)
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Like many on HfP, I’ve banked several (2) Cabin Upgrade Vouchers via the paid Barclays Avios CC & Premier Account (expiring Feb & Aug ’25 respectively) and now look to use these to make sure that I don’t make a loss on the fees that I’ve paid on holding the 2 products – whilst hopefully using them on a place that I would chose to go to myself like Far East & potentially Spanish-speaking South America – I’m not interested in the US.
My preference is Tokyo, HK, Singapore but I know these are high demand routes and virtually impossible to find CW availability in – even one year in advance – especially for the first 2 (as I have found out). Singapore I see availability in Sep for CW but I think it will be too hot/humid for me (probably why there is availability in the first place!).
However, I see much more availability in WTP for all 3 routes. Now, I understand that ideally I get most bang for my buck with Upgrade Voucher via CW redemptions – in the case of these 3 routes: 100,000 Avios (Off peak) & 65,000 (Peak) savings but would it be soo bad if I use it for WTP? I would save 30,000 Avios (Off Peak) and 75,000 (Peak)…
I will travel from Glasgow so will need a domestic connection & I’ve already got lounge access via Silver status; so the only thing I see the CW redemption would get me is the lie flat seat – which I agree is a big differentiator for a 14+ hour flight. I’m not too tall & I’m also relatively young (late 20’s) so I’m wondering would WTP be such a slog in my case. Also, I have never flown WTP before.
What would everyone else do in my situation?
Would you use the voucher in WTP even though it is poorer value on paper?
Any tips on getting both legs booked using the Voucher given inbound availability won’t be released until after the outbound etc?Premium economy is pretty nice, and a significant upgrade from economy. I can’t tell you what you should do, but I’d have two long premium economy flights over one business and one economy.
I agree re PE being a big improvement over WT, however the one (big) drawback for me is that the amount of seat recline means that the back of the seat in front of you can be literally in your face if the person in it decides to recline all the way. It’s not so bad if you’re sleeping but severely reduces your amount of personal space. The only way to avoid it is to reserve a front row seat, but conversely this means that you can’t recline until the person behind you has finished eating (in the event of wanting to sleep comfortably).
Having done back and front row overnight, I think a back row pair is the best compromise on a night flight as you can recline your seat whenever you like and it’s quite private.
As for booking the return leg, if you have a look at the various relevant threads and articles, especially the ones on getting the return for a 241 booking, the process is the same and you will find lots of useful info there.
Another +1 for PE.
As a family of three, it’s the class we most use.
As an anecdotal alternative, we went to SIN using vouchers,
then bought a reasonably priced one-way PE ticket with EvaAir to
fly back directly from BKK, which worked out great.Thanks al. This is reassuring in terms of the PE experience – Tokyo is just so hard to get CW seats on!
I agree re PE being a big improvement over WT, however the one (big) drawback for me is that the amount of seat recline means that the back of the seat in front of you can be literally in your face if the person in it decides to recline all the way. It’s not so bad if you’re sleeping but severely reduces your amount of personal space. The only way to avoid it is to reserve a front row seat, but conversely this means that you can’t recline until the person behind you has finished eating (in the event of wanting to sleep comfortably).
Having done back and front row overnight, I think a back row pair is the best compromise on a night flight as you can recline your seat whenever you like and it’s quite private.
As for booking the return leg, if you have a look at the various relevant threads and articles, especially the ones on getting the return for a 241 booking, the process is the same and you will find lots of useful info there.
Do you know if there a fee charged for the front row seat in PE even for Silver members?
As a silver member you can select any PE seat (done it myself). I would say pick the front row if you plan on being awake most of the flight. Pick the back row if you plan to sleep most of the flight.
A good PE seat feels quite good. Not business but you get a fair amount of personal space and will arrive relatively relaxed to your destination (or back from it).
A person in her/his late 20’s should “suffer” too much as you can go to the lounge, eat, shower and get to the plane refreshed 🙂
Good luck!
An alternative is to redeem CW to Beijing/Shanghai, before a short hop over to Tokyo/HK
There’s always plenty of CW availability on those two routes
Sometimes, if the front row is a bayonet row, they restrict you from picking those until check-in in my experience as silver but do tend to look at back seats too as said previously, can recline whenever you want.
I would go for CW if available but would be happy with WTP if not.
I have also been dipping in looking at similar routes from Glasgow.
Good luck!
Assuming you have status to book a seat or book and pay early enough, the outer seats on the bulkhead row are excellent in WTP. I always fly WTP for work and bulkhead window is my go-to if I can get it. The legroom is slightly better, nobody reclines in your face, and there’s enough room to step over the person next to you without waking them up. Some people don’t like the lack of storage or the side table, but it doesn’t bother me.
For leisure flights, we often take a mix of WTP and CW based on availability or simply if I am just a bit Avios poor that year and still want to use a 241.
@duggie1982, I hope you mean bassinet row 😂😂😂
But yes, IME the window seats on the front row will be blocked until T-24, you can pick any of the others though. And hope no babies materialise!
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