Why the Cheapest Full-Fare Upgrade is Again Looking Good for Many Domestic Routes

January 2012
Read Offline

Fewer miles, no surcharge, and a lot cheaper than published First or Business Class fares

Best and Worst B-fare Upgrade ProgramsIn airline parlance, it’s the “B-fare,” usually the cheapest full-economy upgrade-fare you can buy. With domestic Business/First Class fares priced high, especially on popular non-stop business routes, and major U.S. mileage programs charging up to $150 round-trip in surcharges and up to 40,000 miles for an upgrade, the B-fare upgrade is worth a second look, given that it can cost up to 75% fewer miles, carries no surcharge, and offers more flexibility if you need to make changes or get a refund.

B-Fare Upgrade Advantages

  • Great for business or last-minute leisure travel when paying a higher fare is likely anyway.
  • Good alternative when non-stop routes are expensive.
  • Requires 50 to 75% fewer miles for an upgrade on most carriers.
  • Earns Elite Qualifying Mileage (EQM) bonuses (50%) with most airlines.
  • Often allows date changes without incurring a fee.
  • Depending on the airline and/or route, the ticket at times is refundable, or only has a $100 cancellation fee.
  • No upgrade surcharge on American, United/Continental or US Airways.
  • Worth it if you’re saving miles for a big redemption.
  • A way into Business Class when company expense policy limits you to economy yet doesn’t insist on the lowest fare.

Best: American. It allows upgrades on B and Y (the next step up) fares for only 5,000 miles one-way and doesn’t impose a surcharge. Moreover, AA’s upgrade availability is better than most other domestic airlines because it pulls upgrade inventory from the same booking class as its lowest discounted First Class fare (code A).

Okay: United/Continental and US Airways. The former also allows upgrades on B and Y fares, but charges 7,500 to 10,000 miles one-way. It doesn’t impose a surcharge. US Airways allows upgrades on B and Y fares, with mileage required based on distance flown—this works out to 5,000 to 10,000 miles one-way.

Worst: Delta. It allows upgrades on Y fares only, which often cost the same or more than its discounted First Class fare. Requires 5,000 miles one-way.

Sample Savings When Using a Full-fare Upgrade: New York (JFK) - Los Angeles

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="58 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

[["<strong>Airline<\/strong>","<strong>Upgradeable Economy Fare<\/strong>","<strong>Fare Code<\/strong>","<strong>Lowest Business Class Fare<\/strong>","<strong>Savings<\/strong>","<strong>Miles Needed Round-trip<\/strong>","<strong>Miles Earned Round-trip<\/strong>","<strong>Net Miles Used for Upgrade<\/strong>","<strong>EQMs Earned Round-trip<\/strong>"],["American","$1,552 ","B","$3,158 ","$1,606 (51%)","10,000","4,922","5,078","7,383"],["Delta","$1,908 ","Y","$3,148 ","$1,240 (39%)","10,000","7,383","2,617","7,383"],["United \/ Continental","$1,348 ","B","$3,158 ","$1,810 (57%)","20,000","4,922","15,078","7,383"],["US Airways","$1,728 ","B","$1,398*","none on this route","20,000**","4,922","15,078","4,922"]]
<small><em>*First Class. **New upgrade redemption rate.</em></small>