How Flight Upgrades Using Points Actually Work
Many travellers assume you can simply buy a cheap economy ticket and then use points to upgrade to business class, but flight upgrades using points do not work like that in most cases. Airlines control upgrades very carefully, and there are usually multiple rules that determine whether an upgrade is even possible.
The most important thing to understand is that upgrades are usually based on fare class, not just the cabin you booked. Airlines sell multiple types of economy tickets, and the cheapest ones often cannot be upgraded at all, even if you have enough points. Slightly more expensive economy tickets are often upgrade-eligible, and premium economy tickets are usually the easiest to upgrade to business class.
Another important rule is availability. Airlines release a limited number of upgrade seats on each flight, and these seats can sell out months in advance, especially on popular routes such as London to New York, London to Dubai, or London to Singapore. Even if there are empty business class seats, airlines do not always release them for upgrades.
Most airlines allow upgrades in three main ways. You can upgrade when booking your flight, you can upgrade later through the airline website or app, or you can request an upgrade at check-in or at the airport. The cheapest upgrades are usually available when you book or well in advance, while airport upgrades can sometimes be expensive unless you are using points.
It is also important to understand that upgrading with points is not the same as booking a reward flight. A reward flight is booked entirely with points, whereas an upgrade means you buy a cash ticket and then use points to move to a higher cabin.
Important Upgrade Rules Most People Don’t Know
One of the most common restrictions is that you often cannot upgrade the cheapest economy tickets. These are sometimes called basic economy, light fares, or saver fares. If you want to upgrade using points, you may need to book a standard or flexible economy ticket instead.
Another rule is that some airlines require you to earn the points with that airline or its partners, and they may restrict upgrades if the points were transferred in from credit card programmes. This varies by airline, but it is something travellers often discover too late.
Some airlines also require that your loyalty account has been open for a certain period of time before you can use points for upgrades. This is mainly to prevent people opening accounts just to upgrade a single flight.
There are also rules about who you can upgrade. Some airlines allow you to upgrade family members or people travelling with you, but others only allow upgrades for the account holder or people on the same booking. This can be important if you are travelling in a group.
Route restrictions are another thing to be aware of. Airlines sometimes only allow upgrades on long-haul flights, and not on short European or domestic flights. Others allow upgrades on all routes but require more points on popular routes.
Finally, there are usually extra charges. Even if you upgrade using points, you often still have to pay the difference in taxes and fees, especially when upgrading to business class or first class.
Ways You Can Upgrade Flights Using Points or Miles
There are several different ways airlines allow upgrades, and each airline uses slightly different systems. Understanding these methods is very important if you want to upgrade flights using points regularly.
The most common method is a standard mileage upgrade. This is where you log into your airline account on the website or app, find your booking, and use points to upgrade to the next cabin if upgrade seats are available. This is the most straightforward method and is used by airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, and Lufthansa.
Another method is upgrade vouchers. Some airlines give frequent flyers upgrade vouchers when they reach certain status levels, and these vouchers can sometimes be more valuable than points because they can confirm upgrades even when points upgrades are not available.
Some airlines also offer upgrade auctions or bid systems. This is where you place a bid to upgrade your seat, and the airline accepts the highest bids before the flight. This system is used by several airlines and can sometimes be cheaper than using points.
You can also sometimes upgrade at check-in or at the airport. Airlines occasionally offer discounted upgrades shortly before departure if business class is not full. These upgrades are usually paid upgrades, but some airlines allow you to use points at the airport as well.
Most airlines allow upgrades through:
- The airline website
- The airline mobile app
- The call centre
- Airport check-in desk or lounge
Knowing where to request the upgrade is important because some upgrade seats only appear on the website or app and not through phone agents.
Airlines Where You Can Upgrade Using Points
Many major airlines allow upgrades using points or miles, but the rules and value can vary significantly between airlines. Some airlines offer excellent value upgrades, while others require a large number of points and additional fees.
Some of the best known airlines where you can upgrade flights using points include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France, KLM, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific and Etihad Airways. Most of these airlines are part of airline alliances, which means you can sometimes use points from one airline to upgrade flights on another airline.
For example, Avios points can be used on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Qatar Airways. This gives a lot of flexibility and is one of the reasons Avios upgrades are popular with UK travellers.
It is important to check upgrade charts before booking flights. Many airlines publish tables showing how many points are required to upgrade each route and cabin, and these charts can help you decide whether to upgrade from economy to premium economy or from premium economy to business class.
If you are planning to upgrade flights using points regularly, it is usually best to focus on one or two airline loyalty programmes rather than spreading points across many different airlines. Concentrating points in one programme makes upgrades much easier to achieve.
A good high-quality resource for understanding airline alliances and frequent flyer programmes is the Oneworld alliance website, which explains how partner airlines and mileage programmes work.
Example Points Required to Upgrade Flights (Typical Long-Haul Routes)
The table below shows typical points required to upgrade one cabin on long-haul flights such as Europe to North America, Middle East, or Asia. These are example ranges and will vary depending on route, fare class, and availability.
| Airline | Alliance | Economy → Premium | Premium → Business | Business → First | Loyalty Programme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Oneworld | 20,000–30,000 Avios | 30,000–50,000 Avios | 40,000–60,000 Avios | Executive Club |
| Iberia | Oneworld | 18,000–28,000 Avios | 28,000–45,000 Avios | N/A | Iberia Plus |
| Qatar Airways | Oneworld | 25,000–35,000 Avios | 40,000–60,000 Avios | 50,000–70,000 Avios | Privilege Club |
| American Airlines | Oneworld | 15,000–25,000 Miles | 25,000–40,000 Miles | N/A | AAdvantage |
| Cathay Pacific | Oneworld | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | Asia Miles |
| Finnair | Oneworld | 15,000–25,000 Avios | 25,000–40,000 Avios | N/A | Finnair Plus |
| Japan Airlines | Oneworld | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–50,000 Miles | 45,000–65,000 Miles | JAL Mileage Bank |
| Lufthansa | Star Alliance | 20,000–35,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | Miles & More |
| SWISS | Star Alliance | 20,000–35,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | Miles & More |
| United Airlines | Star Alliance | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 30,000–50,000 Miles | N/A | MileagePlus |
| Air Canada | Star Alliance | 20,000–30,000 Points | 30,000–50,000 Points | N/A | Aeroplan |
| Singapore Airlines | Star Alliance | 25,000–35,000 Miles | 45,000–65,000 Miles | 55,000–80,000 Miles | KrisFlyer |
| ANA | Star Alliance | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 40,000–60,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | ANA Mileage Club |
| Thai Airways | Star Alliance | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–50,000 Miles | N/A | Royal Orchid Plus |
| Air France | SkyTeam | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | N/A | Flying Blue |
| KLM | SkyTeam | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | N/A | Flying Blue |
| Delta Air Lines | SkyTeam | 25,000–40,000 Miles | 40,000–65,000 Miles | N/A | SkyMiles |
| Korean Air | SkyTeam | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | N/A | SKYPASS |
| Virgin Atlantic | Independent | 15,000–25,000 Points | 30,000–50,000 Points | N/A | Flying Club |
| Emirates | Independent | 30,000–45,000 Miles | 40,000–60,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | Skywards |
| Etihad | Independent | 25,000–35,000 Miles | 40,000–60,000 Miles | 50,000–70,000 Miles | Etihad Guest |
| Turkish Airlines | Independent / Star | 20,000–30,000 Miles | 35,000–55,000 Miles | N/A | Miles&Smiles |
| JetBlue (Mint upgrades) | Independent | N/A | 30,000–50,000 Points | N/A | TrueBlue |
| Alaska Airlines | Oneworld | 15,000–25,000 Miles | 25,000–40,000 Miles | N/A | Mileage Plan |
These example upgrade costs are for typical long-haul routes, and the number of points required can vary depending on the route, ticket type, and availability. Most airlines charge points per cabin step, which means upgrading from economy to business class may require two upgrades: economy to premium economy, and then premium economy to business class.
It is also important to remember that many airlines do not allow upgrades on the cheapest economy tickets, and passengers usually need to book a standard or flexible ticket to be eligible for upgrades using points.
In most cases, passengers will also need to pay the difference in taxes and fees when upgrading to a higher cabin, particularly when upgrading to business class or first class on long-haul flights.
British Airways Upgrade Using Avios
British Airways is one of the most popular airlines for UK travellers who want to upgrade flights using points, mainly because of the Avios loyalty programme. British Airways allows upgrades on most long-haul routes, and the process is relatively straightforward compared to many other airlines.
With British Airways, you can normally upgrade one cabin at a time. This means you can upgrade from economy to premium economy, premium economy to business class, or business class to first class. You cannot normally upgrade directly from economy to business unless you originally booked premium economy.
One of the most important rules with British Airways is that the cheapest economy tickets cannot be upgraded. These are usually Basic Economy fares. If you want to upgrade using Avios, you usually need to book a standard economy ticket or premium economy ticket.
Upgrades can be done in several ways. You can upgrade when booking your flight, after booking through the British Airways website, through the mobile app, or by calling British Airways. Many travellers regularly check their booking because upgrade availability can appear later even if it was not available when the ticket was first booked.
You will usually need:
• Avios points
• Availability in the higher cabin
• Payment of the difference in taxes and fees
British Airways upgrades often represent good value when upgrading from premium economy to business class on long flights such as London to New York, Singapore, Cape Town, or Los Angeles. This is often considered one of the best uses of Avios points.
Another useful feature is that British Airways allows upgrades for people travelling with you, as long as they are on the same booking or you use your Avios for them.
Virgin Atlantic Upgrade Using Points
Virgin Atlantic is often considered one of the best airlines in the world for upgrading flights using points, especially on routes between the UK and the United States.
Virgin Atlantic allows upgrades from economy to premium and from premium to Upper Class (business class). Similar to British Airways, you normally cannot upgrade the cheapest economy tickets, so it is important to check the fare type before booking.
One of the advantages of Virgin Atlantic is that upgrades can sometimes be very good value, particularly if you buy a premium economy ticket during a sale and then upgrade to Upper Class using points. This is a strategy that many frequent travellers use.
Upgrades can be requested through:
• The Virgin Atlantic website
• The Virgin Atlantic app
• Customer service by phone
• At the airport (subject to availability)
Virgin Atlantic also sometimes allows upgrades using a mix of points and cash, which can be useful if you do not have enough points for a full upgrade.
Another important rule is that upgrade seats must be available in reward inventory, which means even if there are empty Upper Class seats, you may not be able to upgrade unless the airline has released upgrade availability.
Virgin Atlantic also allows you to upgrade other passengers, and upgrades can be applied to flights operated by Virgin Atlantic as well as some partner airlines.
Emirates Upgrade Using Skywards Miles
Emirates is another airline where upgrading flights using points is very popular, particularly because Emirates business class and first class are considered some of the best airline cabins in the world.
Emirates allows upgrades from economy to business class and from business class to first class using Skywards Miles. One of the unique things about Emirates is that you can sometimes upgrade very close to departure or even at the airport using miles, which is not always possible with other airlines.
However, Emirates upgrades can require a large number of miles, and the value depends heavily on the route and ticket type. Flex and Flex Plus tickets are usually easier to upgrade than Saver fares.
Upgrades can be requested through:
• Emirates website
• Emirates mobile app
• Emirates call centre
• Airport check-in desk or lounge
Emirates also sometimes emails passengers before the flight offering upgrade options using miles or cash. Many travellers monitor their booking regularly because upgrade offers sometimes appear a few days before departure.
One thing to be aware of is that Emirates may restrict upgrades on very busy routes or flights that are expected to be full, so flexibility with travel dates can improve your chances of upgrading.
Qatar Airways Upgrade Using Avios
Qatar Airways uses Avios as its loyalty currency, which means you can use the same Avios points for both British Airways and Qatar Airways upgrades. This makes Qatar Airways particularly interesting for travellers who collect Avios points.
Qatar Airways allows upgrades from economy to business class and from business class to first class on selected aircraft. Qatar Airways business class, especially Qsuite, is widely considered one of the best business class products in the world, so upgrading using Avios can be very good value.
Upgrade availability depends on reward seat availability, and upgrades can be requested through the Qatar Airways website, mobile app, or customer service. In some cases, upgrades may also be offered at the airport.
One important rule with Qatar Airways is that not all economy fare types are upgradeable, and some promotional fares are excluded from upgrades. It is always important to check upgrade eligibility before booking the ticket.
Qatar Airways also allows upgrades for other passengers on the same booking, and Avios can be transferred between British Airways and Qatar Airways accounts, which gives additional flexibility when planning upgrades.
Because Qatar Airways is part of the Oneworld alliance, you can also earn and use Avios across multiple airlines, which can make it easier to collect enough points for upgrades over time.
Upgrade Auctions and Bid Systems
Not all flight upgrades using points are done using fixed mileage charts. Many airlines now use upgrade auctions or bidding systems, which means you can offer an amount of money or points and the airline decides whether to accept your offer before the flight.
These systems are quite common and are used by a number of airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Etihad, Qantas, and some others. The process is usually very simple. After you book a flight, the airline may send you an email inviting you to bid for an upgrade. You then choose how much you are willing to pay or how many points you want to use, and the airline confirms whether your bid has been accepted a few days before departure.
The important thing to understand is that bidding systems do not guarantee an upgrade. Even if you place a high bid, the airline may still reject it if they believe they can sell the seat for more money. However, if a flight is not very full, bidding can sometimes be a very cheap way to move into premium economy or business class.
Some airlines also allow a mix of points and cash when bidding. This can be useful if you do not have enough points for a full upgrade but still want to try for a better seat. These upgrade auctions are often one of the cheapest ways to experience business class, especially on long-haul flights.
If you want to use bidding systems regularly, it is worth checking your airline booking online after purchase because upgrade invitations do not always arrive by email.
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting an Upgrade
If you want to upgrade flights using points regularly, there are a few strategies that can make a big difference. Many frequent travellers follow these methods to improve their chances of upgrading.
One of the most important things is flexibility. Flights in the middle of the week and outside peak travel seasons usually have more upgrade availability than Friday evening or Sunday flights. Routes that business travellers use heavily are often harder to upgrade because business class sells out.
Another important strategy is booking premium economy rather than economy. Premium economy is often much easier to upgrade to business class, and the number of points required is usually lower than upgrading directly from economy.
Joining the airline loyalty programme early is also important. Some airlines prioritise upgrades for elite status members, which means frequent flyers often get access to upgrade seats before other passengers.
It is also a good idea to check your booking regularly. Upgrade availability can appear at different times:
• When tickets first go on sale
• A few months before departure
• A few weeks before departure
• At online check-in
• At the airport
Many experienced travellers check their booking multiple times because upgrade seats can appear suddenly when airlines adjust cabin availability.
Travelling alone can also increase your chances of upgrading. Airlines often find it easier to upgrade one passenger than two or three passengers travelling together.
Fare Classes and Upgrade Eligibility
One of the biggest mistakes travellers make when trying to upgrade flights using points is not understanding fare classes. Airlines do not just sell economy, premium economy, business, and first class. Each cabin is divided into multiple fare classes, and only some of those fare classes are eligible for upgrades.
For example, economy tickets may be sold as Basic, Light, Standard, Flexible, or Full Fare Economy. The cheapest tickets are usually not upgradeable, while mid-range and flexible tickets usually are. This means sometimes paying slightly more for the ticket can actually save points or make an upgrade possible.
Many airlines publish upgrade charts that show which fare classes can be upgraded and how many points are required. If you are planning to upgrade flights using points, it is always worth checking upgrade eligibility before booking the flight.
Premium economy is often the best cabin to book if you want to upgrade because premium economy tickets are usually upgradeable to business class and require fewer points than upgrading from economy.
Understanding fare classes is probably the most important part of upgrading flights using points successfully.
Upgrade Availability and Upgrade Inventory
Even if your ticket is eligible for an upgrade and you have enough points, you still cannot upgrade unless upgrade inventory is available. Airlines control how many seats can be upgraded using points, and these seats are separate from normal paid seats.
Airlines often release only a small number of upgrade seats when flights first go on sale, and then release more closer to departure if business class is not full. This is why upgrade availability can appear and disappear at different times.
Many frequent travellers regularly check their bookings because upgrade seats may appear:
• When the flight first goes on sale
• Several months before departure
• A few weeks before departure
• At online check-in
• At the airport
Airlines use complex systems to manage this, and they may release upgrade seats when they believe they will not sell the seats for cash. This is why less popular routes and mid-week flights are often easier to upgrade.
If upgrading is important to you, flexibility with travel dates and routes can make a very big difference.
Airline Upgrade Methods Comparison
| Airline | Upgrade via App | Upgrade via Website | Upgrade by Phone | Upgrade at Airport | Can Upgrade Other Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Virgin Atlantic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emirates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Lufthansa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air France | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| KLM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Singapore Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Cathay Pacific | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| American Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| United Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Etihad Airways | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turkish Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Finnair | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Iberia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
Understanding when to use each method can improve your chances of upgrading flights using points. In general, the airline website or mobile app should always be the first place to check, because this is where upgrade inventory usually appears first.
Calling the airline can sometimes help if the website is not showing upgrade availability but seats appear to be available in the higher cabin. Phone agents occasionally have access to different booking systems or can place upgrade requests manually.
Airport upgrades can sometimes be available if business class is not full, and some airlines allow upgrades using points at the airport check-in desk or lounge. This is more common with airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic, especially on long-haul flights.
If upgrading is important to you, it is often worth checking upgrades:
• When you book the flight
• A few weeks before departure
• At online check-in
• At the airport
Many experienced travellers check multiple times because upgrade availability can appear at any stage before the flight.
Upgrade vs Reward Flight – Which Is Better Value?
Travellers often ask whether it is better to upgrade flights using points or book reward flights instead. The answer depends on the airline, route, and ticket price.
In general, upgrades can be very good value when:
• Premium economy tickets are reasonably priced
• Business class reward flights are very expensive in points
• You already need to buy the flight anyway
• You want to earn points and status on the original ticket
Reward flights can be better when:
• Economy tickets are cheap but business class reward flights are available
• Taxes and fees are low
• Upgrade availability is poor
• You have a large number of points and do not want to spend cash
Many frequent travellers use a strategy where they buy premium economy tickets and then upgrade to business class using points, because this often requires fewer points than booking a full business class reward ticket.
This strategy is especially popular with airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France.
Airline Upgrade Priority and Who Gets Upgraded First
Another important thing many travellers do not realise is that airlines have upgrade priority lists, especially for operational upgrades and standby upgrades.
If a flight is overbooked in economy, airlines may upgrade passengers to premium economy or business class for free. However, upgrades are not random. Airlines usually upgrade passengers in this order:
• Elite status frequent flyers
• Passengers who booked flexible or expensive tickets
• Passengers who used upgrade vouchers
• Passengers travelling alone
• Passengers with airline credit cards
• Other passengers
This means that having airline status significantly increases your chances of getting upgraded, even if you are not using points.
Airlines also sometimes prioritise passengers who check in early or who have been loyal customers for a long time.
Understanding upgrade priority can help travellers choose airlines where they have status or collect points regularly.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
If you want to upgrade flights using points without spending a fortune, a few smart strategies can make a big difference:
- Book premium economy when possible: Upgrading from premium economy to business class usually requires fewer points and has better availability.
- Avoid the cheapest economy tickets: Basic fares often cannot be upgraded using points at all.
- Check upgrade availability regularly: Upgrade seats can appear at different times before departure.
- Travel mid-week: Flights on Tuesday and Wednesday often have more upgrade availability than weekend flights.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upgrading Flights Using Points
Can you upgrade the cheapest economy tickets using points?
In many cases, the cheapest economy tickets cannot be upgraded. Airlines often require a standard or flexible economy ticket to be eligible for upgrades using points.
Do you still pay taxes when upgrading with points?
Yes, most airlines require you to pay the difference in taxes and fees when upgrading to a higher cabin, especially when upgrading to business class or first class.
Can you upgrade other passengers using your points?
Many airlines allow this if the passengers are travelling with you on the same booking, but the rules vary by airline and loyalty programme.
Is it better to upgrade with points or book a reward flight?
It depends on the route and airline. Sometimes upgrading a paid ticket with points is better value, while other times booking a full reward flight is cheaper in points.
When is the best time to request an upgrade?
Upgrade availability can appear at any time, but many upgrades become available a few weeks before departure or at online check-in.
Further Reading & Related Travel Guides
Want to earn more points, upgrade flights more often, and make long-haul travel easier? These guides will help you earn rewards faster, travel more comfortably, and deal with common travel problems.
Learn how the Avios loyalty programme works and how to earn and use points → Avios Points Explained: How the British Airways Rewards System Works
Find out how to earn and spend Virgin Points across flights, hotels and experiences → Virgin Red App Guide: Earn & Spend Virgin Points Smarter (2026)
Discover how to earn travel rewards through everyday spending and transfer them to airline programmes → Revolut RevPoints Guide 2026: Earn, Transfer & Maximise Travel Rewards
Reduce travel fatigue and arrive feeling better after long flights → Jet Lag Travel Guide: How To Prevent and Recover Faster
Claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights and understand your passenger rights → AirHelp Review 2026: Flight Delay Compensation & AirHelp+ Guide
Last Updated
This guide to upgrading flights using points was last updated in March 2026. Airline upgrade rules, mileage requirements and availability can change, so always check with the airline before booking flights or using points.
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