LHR-PVG outbound 28/3, HKG-LHR inbound 4/4

Hello, I am trying to fly out to Shanghai on 28th March and back from HK on the 4th April - I am taking my young daughter for the week as she finishes school early. Trying to book online but getting either no fares or exorbitant fares depending on the times - I prefer the night flights out of HK. I've even tried to go to HK return but for some reason it is showing no outbound flights for 28th March. I can fly BA but I'm only 4 points away from renewing AU for the year and would much prefer to use the lounge even if I have to fly economy. Can anyone explain what the availability issues are?

Finally my renewal period is Aug08 - Aug 09 - if I renew early do my flights/points from April Aug this year count as renewal for the next year? [:?]

28th March - LHR/PVG 19 spare seats in J, full in W and Y
LHR/HKG - VS 200 - 9 spare in J / 6 in W
VS 238 - 23 spare in J / 4 in W

4th April - LHR/HKG - VS 201 - 16 spare in J / W full / 35 spare in Y
VS 239 - 29 spare in J / 18 in W / 18 in Y

So there are spare seats, not sure why it was showing you no availability. I just had a look and it is now offering seats in all 3 classes?

OK now booked LHR-HKG 27/3 returing 2/4 - booked via expedia to get the hotel saving. When I look at seat allocation I have been thrown two middle seats in a row of 4 in Y! Expedia throws no info as to fare class but when checked on V web it is Q. So I presume no chance of upgrading at the CH when we arrive. Does anyone know if the flight is busy on VS200 in Y that evening as there are no better seats available.

Finally I will renew AU with these flights but the renewal date was Aug 2009 - I will fly another 4 times before Aug 2009 - will these points be used towards my next renewal or am I better flying BA as they will lapse?

[HighFlyer]

Any further tier points are just extra (wasted?) tier points, they dont go towards newt year I am afraid.

For a Q fare you cant technically use miles to upgrade but you could ask FC how much it would cost to oay to upgrade. You might get a good offer on the day at check-in, but also run the risk of getting nothing if PE/UC is full. No harm in asking at all though. It can and does happen.

Dont forget you can likely move your seats when OLCI opens too. [y]

Thanks,
Sarah