a room with a desk and chairs
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Ask almost anyone about using miles, and the response you get: it’s just too hard. Airlines have (intentionally) made things so complicated, convoluted and hidden that many people no longer bother trying for things like upgrades, seats up front using points – or any of the other things that make travel better. An exciting tool has resurfaced, giving British Airways flyers no excuse but to travel in style…

a bed with pillows and a purse on itThe Sexy Name: BA Redemption Finder…

Though there are no style points for the landing of this site, it gets top marks for practicality. The BA Redemption Finder can show you an entire calendar month of availability for any British Airways operated flight. That’s four times more efficient than the British Airways website, which only shows a week at a time. If you have flexibility, this is an easy way to find availability.

a plane flying above the cloudsUpgrades Space Using Points Is The Same As Free Seats Using Points, So It’s Easy To Find Upgrades…

Free seats are nice, but you still pay surcharges and you DON’T earn miles. Often, the best way to save money and miles is to find a great deal and upgrade the ticket using points– which requires little or no cash co pay. If a seat is available to use miles for a free flight, it’s also available for upgrade. Therefore, simply search for seats in the cabin above where you’re presently booked. If you see seats available, you can upgrade online instantly, or by calling in. Exciting stuff.

a room with a table and chairsAnd In Each Case, You Can Set Up FREE Email Alerts. That’s Right, Let Availability Come Directly To You…

You know the drill – you go to search for flights using your points or for an upgrade and low and behold, there’s no space. Not available. This site is the first of it’s kind to allow people to set up email alerts for specific dates, so that when and (if) seats open up (happens all the time)- you’ll know within a day. They even offer a paid option which searches multiple times a day, if you want to get really aggressive. Enjoy!

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly...

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6 Comments

  1. If you upgrade with Avios, will the ticket still earn EQM’s/EQD’s on American based on the original fare code, or does it earn nothing because it’s now an award ticket?

  2. If you upgrade using miles, you have to pay the increases in taxes that the upgraded ticket cabin would charge.

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