Optimising upgrade from PE to Business

[Ducky]

My new company restricts the class of flights to Premium Economy, however it is content for staff to upgrade to Business at their own expense – this needs to be subsequent to the initial purchase and using a personal card to pay the difference. I’m trying to work out the optimal way of doing this – especially as the difference between PE and Business flights can sometimes be minimal.

My current plan is to look for flights where the difference between PE and Business is lowest and then just pay the difference and change fee to upgrade afterwards. However, I seem to remember flights can be cancelled for no penalty within 24 hours of booking for no penalty. Would BA also allow me to upgrade within 24 hours of booking for no change fee and just the difference? Or are there any better ideas to optimise this?

[SamG]

Are you booking direct with BA or with a TA?

If booked direct then BA will change your booking within 24hrs of booking without any fees, so that would be the way to go. Avios upgrade is also an option.

If it’s a TA then you’ll need to check with them, some have the ability to handle this. Mine doesn’t so I can only use Avios or upgrade in cash on the day at airport if I wanted

[Ducky]

Thanks SamG. Direct with BA. I have seen some flights that are incredibly close in price (even a couple where PE was more expensive than Business for short period), so I think that would be a cheaper route than using Avios, but I may be missing something.

[ringingup]

An interesting implication of upgrading from PE to Business as a personal expense is that the upgrade can sometimes make the ticket more restricted than the original PE fare.

This matters because many employers prefer to book flexible fares for business travel, especially in PE, to allow for changes or cancellations.