{"id":242821,"date":"2026-02-16T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=242821\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:33:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:33:51","slug":"upgrade-with-avios","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/upgrade-with-avios\/","title":{"rendered":"The Quirks of Upgrading British Airways Flights With Avios \u2014 And Whether It&#8217;s Worth Doing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>British Airways is a key member in the <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/airline-alliances-and-partnerships\/\">Oneworld alliance<\/a>. You can use Avios to book British Airways flights as well as its partners. Another option is to book a paid fare and use Avios to upgrade to a higher cabin.<\/p>\n<p>The way British Airways prices these upgrades \u2014 both with Avios and the cash surcharge \u2014 is inconsistent.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what to expect when using Avios to upgrade a flight \u2014 and whether it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#When_You_Can_Upgrade_Your_Flight_With_Avios\">When You Can Upgrade Your Flight With Avios<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_To_Upgrade_With_Avios\">How To Upgrade With Avios<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Does_It_Make_Sense_to_Upgrade_With_Avios\">Does It Make Sense to Upgrade With Avios?<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#New_York_JFK_to_London_LHR\">New York (JFK) to London (LHR)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#London_LHR_to_Athens_ATH\">London (LHR) to Athens (ATH)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"When_You_Can_Upgrade_Your_Flight_With_Avios\">When You Can Upgrade Your Flight With Avios<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can upgrade British Airways flights online, but there are some restrictions to note:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There must be award availability in the cabin you want to upgrade into. If there\u2019s no Avios availability, you can\u2019t upgrade.<\/li>\n<li>Upgrades are limited to one cabin step. You can upgrade from premium economy to business or from business to first. However, the lowest economy fares aren't eligible. You\u2019ll need a semi-flexible economy ticket to upgrade.<\/li>\n<li>Upgrades can be done at the time of booking online or after purchase by calling British Airways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"How_To_Upgrade_With_Avios\">How To Upgrade With Avios<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You may have searched and booked flights on British Airways' website for years and not noticed the ability to book these upgrades. On the screen to &#8220;Book flights with Avios,&#8221; there is a tab to choose called &#8220;Book and upgrade.&#8221; This is where you need to search. Ideally, you have used the other tab to search with Avios first to identify upgrade flight availability.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242826\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"653\/510\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-242826 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-book-1-9-900x703.png\" alt=\"Booking British Airways Upgrade with Avios.\" width=\"653\" height=\"510\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-book-1-9-900x703.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-book-1-9-750x586.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-book-1-9-768x600.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-book-1-9.png 1176w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><center><em>Booking British Airways Upgrade with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>From there, it's straightforward. You enter your cities, dates, and class you want to upgrade into.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Does_It_Make_Sense_to_Upgrade_With_Avios\">Does It Make Sense to Upgrade With Avios?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The interesting thing about booking these upgrades: The math often doesn't properly math. In theory, British Airways is supposed to charge the Avios difference between two cabins when upgrading. However, it is using prices from an outdated chart to calculate these upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>Confused? It's best to show some examples.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"New_York_JFK_to_London_LHR\">New York (JFK) to London (LHR)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To book this flight from New York to London with Avios, you'd need to pay:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>46,750 Avios plus $198 in premium economy<\/li>\n<li>88,000 Avios plus $408 in business class<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These rates are roughly 10% higher than before the <a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/british-airways-club\/award-chart-devaluation-december-2025\/\">December 2025 devaluation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242839\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"749\/378\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242839  lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-PE-1-9-1-900x454.png\" alt=\"Premium Economy with Avios.\" width=\"749\" height=\"378\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-PE-1-9-1-900x454.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-PE-1-9-1-750x378.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-PE-1-9-1-768x387.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-PE-1-9-1.png 1468w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px\" \/><center><em>Premium Economy with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242837\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"749\/282\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242837  lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-biz-1-9-900x339.png\" alt=\"Business with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.\" width=\"749\" height=\"282\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-biz-1-9-900x339.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-biz-1-9-750x282.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-biz-1-9-768x289.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-biz-1-9.png 1285w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px\" \/><center><em>Business-class booking with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>You'd assume that to upgrade from premium economy to business would cost 41,250 Avios (88,000 minus 46,750). However, that's not the case. In fact, the Avios required is only 26,400 \u2014 significantly lower than expected.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242842\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/316\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-242842 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-upgrade-1-9-900x379.png\" alt=\"Upgrade with Avios. \" width=\"750\" height=\"316\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-upgrade-1-9-900x379.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-upgrade-1-9-750x316.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-upgrade-1-9-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-upgrade-1-9.png 1481w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Upgrade with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h4>A note about fees<\/h4>\n<p>You may have noticed the $2,268 number next to the upgrade price? British Airways is notorious for high fees \u2014 especially on long-haul flights. But this seems really high.<\/p>\n<p>Let's break down where this price comes from.<\/p>\n<p>Booking this flight with cash costs $1,494 for premium economy:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242854\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"754\/191\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242854 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-cash-1-9-900x228.png\" alt=\"BA premium economy\" width=\"754\" height=\"191\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-cash-1-9-900x228.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-cash-1-9-750x190.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-cash-1-9-768x194.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-cash-1-9.png 936w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" \/><center><em>Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>That means the upgrade cost to business class is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>26,400 Avios mentioned above and $774 ($2,268 minus $1,494)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That\u2019s a significant premium. Even in the example above comparing premium economy and business award tickets, the cash difference is only $210 ($408 minus $198). That means you are paying a $564 premium to upgrade.<\/p>\n<p>This isn't all that exciting an option. Sure, you are using fewer Avios versus a straight cash ticket \u2014 26,400 versus 88,000. But the cash price is much higher. You are paying $2,268 for this business-class upgrade versus $408 when booking an award ticket.<\/p>\n<h4>Is it worth it?<\/h4>\n<p>In this example, you are essentially buying 61,600 Avios for $1,860 \u2014 3.0 cents per point valuation. Considering AwardWallfet users typically get 2.55 cents per Avios, &#8220;buying&#8221; Avios at this higher rate doesn't make sense.<\/p>\n<p>Now, if you don't have access to enough Avios to book, this can be a great option to upgrade to a better cabin for a reasonable fee.<\/p>\n<p>With so many <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/\" rel=\"noopener\">transfer partners<\/a>, earning enough Avios for a full award is often easier than upgrading.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transfer-times\"><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-head tt-from\">From<\/div><div class=\"tt-head tt-to\">To<\/div><div class=\"tt-head tt-ratio\">Transfer Ratio<\/div><div class=\"tt-head tt-mintransfer\">Min.Transfer<\/div><div class=\"tt-head tt-avg\">Average Time<\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,000:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">Canada<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,000:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">8 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">United Kingdom<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">500:500<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amex (Membership Rewards)<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">Germany<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">500:400<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/capital-one-rewards\/capital-one-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capital One<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">100:100<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/chase-ultimate-rewards\/chase-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chase (Ultimate Rewards)<\/a><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,000:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/marriott-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marriott (Bonvoy)<\/a><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">3:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">3,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">1 day - 3 days<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Accor Group (ALL - Accor Live Limitless)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">4,000:2,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Aer Lingus (AerClub)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Avios<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/bilt-rewards\/bilt-transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bilt Rewards<\/a><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,000:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">2,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-from-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\"><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">14 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Choice Hotels (Choice Privileges)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,000:200<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">5,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Diners Club (Club Rewards)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">11,000:10,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Finnair Plus<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/hotels\/hilton-honors\/transfer-hilton-points\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hilton (Honors)<\/a><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">10,000:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>HSBC Rewards<div class=\"tt-from-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,250:1,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">2 days<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>HSBC Rewards<div class=\"tt-from-region\">Canada<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">10,000:4,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">25,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-immediate\">Immediate<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>HSBC Rewards<div class=\"tt-from-region\">United Kingdom<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\"><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">2 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Iberia Plus<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>IHG Hotels & Resorts (One Rewards)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">10,000:2,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Klarna<div class=\"tt-from-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:71<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Livelo (Clube Livelo)<div class=\"tt-from-region\">Brazil<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1,750:500<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">35,000<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">2 days<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Meli\u00e1 (Meli\u00e1Rewards)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">100:30<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Nectar<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">400:250<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Qatar Airways (Privilege Club)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Radisson Hotels (Radisson Rewards)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\"><div class=\"tt-bonus\">Removed as a transfer partner as of October 1, 2025<\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Ramp (Ramp Rewards)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">150:100<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>RBC (Avion Rewards)<div class=\"tt-from-region\">Canada<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">18 hours<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>RBC Royal Bank Visa<div class=\"tt-from-region\">Canada<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\"><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">1 day<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Revolut (RevPoints)<\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div>Tesco (Clubcard)<div class=\"tt-from-region\">United Kingdom<\/div><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\"><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-days\">1 day<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-row\"><div class=\"tt-body tt-from\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/wells-fargo-rewards\/transfer-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wells Fargo (Go Far Rewards)<\/a><\/div><span class=\"tt-arrow\">\u2794<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-to\"><div class=\"tt-body-wrap\"><span class=\"tt-arrow tt-arrow--region\">\u2794<\/span><div><a href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/british-airways-club\/british-airways-partners\/?cid=transfer-times-transfer&mid=web\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Airways (Club)<\/a><div class=\"tt-to-region\">United States<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-ratio\">1:1<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-mintransfer\">-<\/div><div class=\"tt-body tt-avg\"><div class=\"tt-avg-unknown\">Unknown<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h3><span id=\"London_LHR_to_Athens_ATH\">London (LHR) to Athens (ATH)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since shorter routes with narrow-body planes don't have a premium economy cabin, you can upgrade from an eligible economy fare to business class. In this case, the flight is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>16,750 Avios and $2 in economy<\/li>\n<li>30,000 Avios plus $30 in business class.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242898\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"748\/353\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242898 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-econ-900x425.png\" alt=\"London to Athens economy award flight.\" width=\"748\" height=\"353\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-econ-900x425.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-econ-750x354.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-econ-768x363.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-econ.png 1490w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px\" \/><center><em>London to Athens economy award flight. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242897\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"749\/293\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242897 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-biz-900x352.png\" alt=\"London to Athens business award flight. Screenshot of British Airways.\" width=\"749\" height=\"293\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-biz-900x352.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-biz-750x294.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-biz-768x301.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-biz.png 1293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px\" \/><center><em>London to Athens economy award flight. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>The Avios upgrade price below makes more sense in this example. It costs 13,250 Avios to move into business class. That's the exact Avios difference between the two award flights above.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242899\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/311\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242899 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-upgrade-900x373.png\" alt=\"London to Athens upgrade with Avios\" width=\"750\" height=\"311\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-upgrade-900x373.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-upgrade-750x311.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-upgrade-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-zrh-1-9-upgrade.png 1513w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>London to Athens upgrade with Avios. Screenshot of British Airways.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>The fees are more in line as well. A cash flight in the economy fare required to upgrade (Economy Plus) is \u00a3170 (about $228). The fee difference on the award flights is $28 ($30 minus $2). This totals $256 in fees, which is pretty close to the $260 total cost to do an upgrade you see above.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_242896\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"652\/622\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-242896 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-ath-cash-1-9-900x858.png\" alt=\"London to Athens cash economy flight. \" width=\"652\" height=\"622\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-ath-cash-1-9-900x858.png 900w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-ath-cash-1-9-750x715.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-ath-cash-1-9-768x732.png 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ba-lhr-ath-cash-1-9.png 964w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><center><em>London to Athens cash economy flight. Screenshot of British Airways<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p>Again, you have to decide if you would rather pay 30,000 Avios and $30 for an award ticket or 13,250 plus $260 for an upgrade. Since valuations can be subjective, that becomes a personal decision. If you weigh paying an extra $230 or 16,750 more points, that comes out to a 1.37 cents valuation, which may be a low valuation for Avios. In this case, using more cash and less Avios is the better option.<\/p>\n<p>It is nice to have this options to upgrade should you want to save the Avios. Plus without the huge fee discrepancy as in the long-haul example, these shorter British Airways upgrades are easier to figure out.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_115108\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"751\/600\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-115108 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/British-Airways-business-class-featured.jpg\" alt=\"British Airways business class seat\" width=\"751\" height=\"600\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/British-Airways-business-class-featured.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/British-Airways-business-class-featured-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/British-Airways-business-class-featured-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/British-Airways-business-class-featured-325x260.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px\" \/><center><em>British Airways business class. Credit: British Airways<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Upgrading British Airways flights with Avios can look appealing at first glance \u2014 especially when the Avios price is lower than the apparent difference between two award tickets. But as the examples show, the real story is in the cash component.<\/p>\n<p>On some long-haul routes, British Airways\u2019 upgrade pricing uses an outdated award chart and layers on substantial surcharges. In those cases, you may be better off booking a full award ticket outright \u2014 or paying cash and saving your Avios for a higher-value redemption. On shorter European routes, however, the math can be far more reasonable, and upgrading may provide a solid way to conserve points.<\/p>\n<p>The key takeaway: Don\u2019t assume an upgrade is automatically a deal. Always compare three scenarios: A full award ticket, a paid fare, and a paid fare plus upgrade. If the effective cost per Avios exceeds what you typically get from redemptions, it\u2019s probably not worth it.<\/p>\n<p>British Airways gives you the option to upgrade with Avios. Just make sure the numbers actually work in your favor before you click \u201cconfirm.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s possible to upgrade British Airways cash fares to a higher cabin using Avios. We outline the process, the confusing formula used to price the upgrade, and whether it&#8217;s worth it to use Avios this way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":187809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12067],"tags":[12774,12629],"coauthors":[36490],"class_list":["post-242821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-booking-travel","tag-ba-executive-club","tag-using-points"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242821"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":248017,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242821\/revisions\/248017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242821"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=242821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}