Qatar upgrades?

[Pointer]

We’ve jut about collected enough Avios either the outward or return portions of our trip from LON to AKL next year.

ME: 30784 avios
Wife: 30054 avios
ME: 38000ish Amex points

At 45k Avios a per person each way we could use avios for the most expensive leg of the journey. I have started wondering if we could pay economy and then use the avios to upgrade to business on the outward leg of the trip instead.

What would the best way be to do this, the qatar airlines site is unclear how this works. Can I just buy an economy ticket and upgrade with avios or are there limitations on the amount of upgrade seats available? If so how do I check that an upgrade is available before buying the economy ticket.

To make matters interesting if we go the upgrade route I think we’ll need to move all the avios into one account or split them evenly between accounts as Qatar don’t recognise BA family accounts (we’ve not made one yet so mine and the wifes accounts are still separate.)

Any help appreciated, I’m still new to this points game!

[John]

Upgrading with avios is not eligible for lounge access (except J to F and that gives you J lounge).

Redemption availability in the desired class is required

You can’t move avios between BA accounts without paying unless you are gold. Having a BA household account does not change this

[Pointer]

I’ve just been having a play around with the Qatar calculator, and realised that the upgrades use more avios than we will have (I had assumed they were the same as the difference in Avios between between classes.)

I think this means the best course of action is to get my Amex sign up bonus ASAP and get booking!

Although any other thoughts still welcome.