United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - how to get the international flight upgrade?

anyone can help me?
i am the Platinum mileageplus member. i will fly from SFO to HK in 2 weeks, someone told me the UA won't automatically put me in the upgrade standby list, i have to call them to request the possible upgrade. unlike the domestic flight, UA will automatically put me in the upgrade standby list.
is this ture? the rule of the international flight is differnet with the domestic one? can anyone help me to clearify this info? if this is ture, what number do i have to call to let them put me in the upgrade standby list? thanks!!!

Welcome to FT. Are you willing to spend $ or a combination of $ and miles? If not, you won't get on the waitlist, sorry - they aren't "complimentary" like domestic flights are.

anyone can help me?
i am the Platinum mileageplus member. i will fly from SFO to HK in 2 weeks, someone told me the UA won't automatically put me in the upgrade standby list, i have to call them to request the possible upgrade. unlike the domestic flight, UA will automatically put me in the upgrade standby list.
is this ture? the rule of the international flight is differnet with the domestic one? can anyone help me to clearify this info? if this is ture, what number do i have to call to let them put me in the upgrade standby list? thanks!!!

Please look up options on united.com as linked below
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/

Welcome to FT
You can start by looking at this webpage on the UA.com website.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/default.aspx

For international flights (not including Mexico, central america, Caribbean and Canada) where there is a Business First class of service you will need a voucher that you get when you hit 1K or you will need to pay a co-pay and miles to get on the waitlist.
Depending on the fare you purchased the price may be 20,000 miles only or the miles with up to $600
If you log on to UA.com and look at your reservation, they give you the options to upgrade and it usually explains how much it will cost you.
Let us know if you need help finding it on the website.

Remember that putting your name on the waitlist does not mean you will be upgraded.

To the OP: Welcome to FT! I've had pretty good luck with cash & miles upgrades. It's usually around 30k + $600 to upgrade each way, but definitely check United.com to see how much it is for your fare class.

I'd probably just call United and ask them though. Good luck!

Cheers,
Adam

To the OP: Welcome to FT! I've had pretty good luck with cash & miles upgrades. It's usually around 30k + $600 to upgrade each way, but definitely check United.com to see how much it is for your fare class.

I'd probably just call United and ask them though. Good luck!

Cheers,
Adam

I too have had good luck with the miles + cash upgrades on international. I just upgraded from TLV-->EWR plus EWR-->SFO for 35,000 miles + $350. Be aware that the option to request an upgrade may not be visible when viewing your reservation on the UA website. You should call them.

To the OP: Welcome to FT! I've had pretty good luck with cash & miles upgrades.

That said, SFO->HKG is one of the toughest upgrades to get because there are a lot of paid business class flyers, and a bunch of elites who fly asia routes regularly (and are 1K or GS).

That said, SFO->HKG is one of the toughest upgrades to get because there are a lot of paid business class flyers, and a bunch of elites who fly asia routes regularly (and are 1K or GS).

Agreed. It is the toughest upgrade route along with ORD-HKG. Even as a 1K using SWU it's tough to upgrade and sometimes buying a C ticket close to departure date might be tough if all sold out. It depends on the day of the week you are travelling. Some days your chances will be higher.

Best thing to do is look at your reservations and see what upgrades are being offered. But if it's not done in advance, chances of getting upgraded at the airport are very very low.

anyone can help me?
i am the Platinum mileageplus member. i will fly from SFO to HK in 2 weeks, someone told me the UA won't automatically put me in the upgrade standby list, i have to call them to request the possible upgrade. unlike the domestic flight, UA will automatically put me in the upgrade standby list.
is this ture? the rule of the international flight is differnet with the domestic one? can anyone help me to clearify this info? if this is ture, what number do i have to call to let them put me in the upgrade standby list? thanks!!!

There is no "free" upgrade on an international flight (excluding CAN/MEX/ETC) regardless of status. You have to use a cert, miles, $$ and/or a combination.