BA Upgrade Bidding: Oddities, Manchester Move, Berlin Hotel Shift

British Airways is quietly rolling out a new ‘bid for an upgrade' system, enabling passengers to offer a price within a set range for a higher cabin in the days before departure. However, a recent example reveals a crucial oddity: a reader looking to upgrade from World Traveller Plus to Club World on a Heathrow to Boston flight was presented with a bidding range of £540 to £705. Simultaneously, a ‘buy it now' upgrade for the exact same flight was available via ‘Manage My Booking' for a lower, guaranteed price of £505. This highlights a significant risk, as the new bidding system could potentially cost more and offers no certainty compared to existing direct purchase options. The article strongly advises passengers to always check ‘Manage My Booking' first, confirming that the new bidding system does not supersede these established ‘upgrade now for money' offers.

In other news, British Airways has officially confirmed its relocation to Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport, effective October 7th. While lounge details remain unconfirmed, it’s highly anticipated that BA will utilize the Escape lounge, which is reportedly planning a merger with the 1903 lounge to create a larger space. For those paying cash for lounge access, the article suggests the £99 aether VIP terminal, offering direct gate transfers, as a superior alternative.

Furthermore, the well-regarded Hotel de Rome in Berlin is departing from Rocco Forte Hotels, with bookings unavailable beyond November 1st. Industry whispers suggest Four Seasons is poised to take over management. This would be a notable comeback for Four Seasons, which previously exited Berlin years ago, citing difficulties in maintaining its service standards amidst the city's lower hotel rates. Their former property was rebranded as Regent Berlin before its closure last last year.

(Source: https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/09/29/british-airways-bid-to-upgrade-oddities/)