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I have a long haul flight from HEL and need to get Lon-Hel.
Finnair has the option to upgrade a flight using avios and I believe on this route would cost 9000.
Is it possible to do this (assuming availability) with their economy superlight fare (for the same avios supplement)? If so, this may be the cheapest J option vs. cash fare or reward ticket.
How likely is it that upgrades will be available currently if 8+ reward seats are available?
I would ask customer services but I can’t even get connected currently!A cousin had their Finnair flight cancelled for next week. I think there are continuing strike issues and there could well have been a strike yesterday. She had great problems earlier this week trying to get through.
Sorry can’t help on upgrade.
I would only upgrade to J on LHR-HEL if it is operated by an A350.
In addition to any Avios, I would expect you to have to pay the additional APD.
I think that economy light tickets can only be upgraded to business light, meaning no baggage allowance, no lounge access and no priority anything.
Thanks all. I believe there is no additional APD to pay (but it would be good to confirm)
I have an outgoing J flight from Helsinki in the evening that day so should have lounge access in LHR based on that so business light wouldn’t be a major issue.
My plan was to get one proper award seat in business for one family member as this will give us enough baggage anyway.Finnair customer services impossible to reach currently – likely due to the strike disruption.
No major urgency its March 2026 anyway!It’s possible that Finnair include the cost of the additional APD within the Avios that they charge for the upgrade, but Finnair will pay an additional £17 to HMG (£32 instead of £15).
Would be good to know.
But as John said above, Business Light would not give you any checked baggage, so you probably need a regular redemption ticket rather than an upgrade on a cash fare.
Note that you do get checked baggage on the light fares if you have Oneworld Emerald/Sapphire both in Business and Economy
Just to confirm, I was able to upgrade the economy-lite seats to business (lounge/carry-on luggage included) for 9K avios each with no additional fees to pay. This works out quite well if you are travelling with kids because you only pay 75% of the adult fare for the base ticket. Unlike standard reward seats where children pay the same. So per child it was ~ £75+9k avios (cash + upgrade) vs £63+18K avios (reward flight). The main downside being that you can’t see if the upgrade seats will be available before you book (unless you have finnair status).
Well done and thanks for the feedback.
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