Good Timing Can Save Up to 66%
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In November we priced upgradeable fares from New York to London for travel in May 2012 on British Airways, which has one of the better mileage upgrade programs to Europe because it does not impose a cash surcharge and requires only 20,000 miles round-trip (up to 25,000 from LAX) to London.
Depart on May 21 and the upgradeable fare is $1,093 (including $687 in taxes) plus 20,000 miles, but leave on May 22 and the price jumps to $2,166 (49% more). The difference, $1,073, equals the cost of a second ticket![/aside]
For everything there’s a season—and if you know when the time is right for upgrades to Europe, you’ll pay much less for one. Given that the “co-pay” required for upgrading an economy ticket can often cost more than the ticket itself, keeping a sharp eye on the calendar can keep you from paying more than you should
The Window of Opportunity
The time for travel is now through the end of March, with the exception of the holidays. It’s hard to pinpoint a cut-off date because it varies slightly by country, but this roughly encompasses the “off-peak” or “low” season to Europe for upgradeable economy and Premium Economy fares. As we near the end of one fare season to start another, it will be important to check dates, as one day can make.
General Overview of the Upgradeable Fare Seasons for Travel to Europe
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What You Need to Know
- Upgradeable fares are based on the departure date.
- There are usually three seasons for upgradeable fares: low, middle, and high.
- Economy and Premium Economy fares often run counter to Business Class fares: They drop when Business Class fares rise and vice-versa.
Five Things to Keep in Mind When Booking
Know when low season is.
The best time to use miles to upgrade is low season, which usually runs from the end of October through mid-December, and the end of December through the end of March.
US Airways, for example, charges $372 in economy for Philadelphia-Munich in March 2012 (compared to $872 in July 2012). Add the $600 co-pay for the upgrade and the total cost is $972, 75% less than the carrier charges for Business Class at that time, $3,962.
Fare Seasons Don’t Follow a Monthly Schedule
They can change in the middle of the month, so when searching for the lowest upgradeable fare, check a range of departure dates. See the box to the left for an example of how big a difference a day can make.
Different European Countries Have Different Fare Season Cut Off Dates
If you’re going to Europe in mid-May you might consider flying to London because mid-season lasts until May 21; and a ticket on American Airlines for example, from New York is $919 (including taxes), instead of Paris, where high season starts on May 15, 2012, and the ticket price is $1,658, a difference of $739 (or 45%).
The Worst Time to Book an Upgradeable Fare is Summer
This is when an upgrade can, at times, cost more than a promotional Business Class fare. Last summer United’s Business Class fare from Chicago to London was $2,615 (including taxes), whereas its upgradeable fare, including the $1,100 surcharge, ranged from $2,412 to $2,892 plus 40,000 miles— a bad deal!
Upgradeable Economy Fares Run on a Different Calendar from Business Class During the Holidays
The winter holidays are mid season for economy to Europe, but low season for Business Class. With the co-pay added to an already high economy fare, you could pay more than if you’d bought a Business Class ticket. For instance, during the December holiday stretch, Continental charges $2,043 (including all taxes) for Business Class from New YorkShannon, Ireland. The surcharge to upgrade the $741 economy ticket is $1,100, bringing the fare to $1,841, plus 40,000 miles. 40,000 miles are generally worth at least $1,500 (at 3.5¢ per mile, the cost of buying them), which makes the economy fare upgrade cost about $1,298. Plus you lose the 50% flight mile bonus you would get for flying on a Business Class ticket.
Upgradeable Economy Fares Compared to Business Class Fare for Travel to Europe
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