United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - IAH-MCO on United - Upgrade Using Miles Questions

Hello. I have booked 2 RT coach fares for my wife and I from IAH to MCO. We are going to Universal Studios for our 15 yr. anniversary. Our flight home is Oct. 18 and since that is our actual anniversary, I want to surprise her by upgrading to first class using miles and the $75 co-pay on UA. (I have 166K miles currently). My question is this, on United Website when I go to do the upgrade it shows "snacks for purchase" as the food option, is this the case even in first class? If a snack at least isn't complimentary in first, I question the worth of spending 40,000 miles and $150. DOes anyone know if this is the case or not? Also, if I upgrade using miles/co-pay, does this automatically get she and I access to the United lounge at MCO? I have 4 passes but if an upgrade purchase grants access sans passes, all the better. I appreciate any info anyone may be bale to provide. Have a great day!

You should receive some type of snack in F, for free, on your flight.

Depending on the flight departure time, there are several possible options. Best to check this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1296993-2012-lets-eat-domestic-first-businessfirst-business-class-60.html

No RCC access in MCO. You'll need to use the passes you have.

Happy Anniversary :)

Meals are always complimentary in FC in my experience. Unless you booked UA1230 (the 3:12 PM departure), you'll get a meal. 1230 is listed as a "snack" flight, but you won't have to pay for it.

Domestic FC upgrades do not entitle you to lounge access.

.... Our flight home is Oct. 18 and since that is our actual anniversary, I want to surprise her by upgrading to first class using miles and the $75 co-pay on UA. (I have 166K miles currently). ...
Upgrades are not automatic, even if there are empty seats in FC.

What you need to do is click on Fare Class and look for R2 or more. R is the upgrade inventory. The good new is at this point all the MCO-IAH flights on Oct 18 have R5 or better.

.... My question is this, on United Website when I go to do the upgrade it shows "snacks for purchase" as the food option, is this the case even in first class? If a snack at least isn't complimentary in first, I question the worth of spending 40,000 miles and $150. DOes anyone know if this is the case or not? ... food will be free in FC and since all the MCO-IAH Oct 18 flights are mainline (not express, regional) aircraft some of flights have breakfast (the two early flights), lunch, light snack and dinner (the latter flights). The best way to see this is to do a fake FC flight search and see what is listed as the meal.


....Also, if I upgrade using miles/co-pay, does this automatically get she and I access to the United lounge at MCO? ...no, domestic FC paid, award or upgrade are not eligible for free lounge access

have a nice trip

Upgrades are not automatic, even if there are empty seats in FC.

What you need to do is click on Fare Class and look for R2 or more. R is the upgrade inventory. The good new is at this point all the MCO-IAH flights on Oct 18 have R5 or better.

have a nice trip

Thanks for the tip on "Fare Class" link on your reservation. It makes sense now, but I did not realize that clicking on it brought up all that fare bucket info. Very useful.

Especially since I just made Plat (for the 1st time) on UA and have a couple of RPUs now.

While you didn't ask, for a flight that short I would instead save the miles and take the money and get a nice dinner or something with the money. It's just not worth it for a snack.

Totally agree with Mike on this one.... such a waste for the subpar first class experience.

While you didn't ask, for a flight that short I would instead save the miles and take the money and get a nice dinner or something with the money. It's just not worth it for a snack.

While you didn't ask, for a flight that short I would instead save the miles and take the money and get a nice dinner or something with the money. It's just not worth it for a snack.

OP may be on a meal flight (not just a snack flight...he mistakenly assumed that the food choice showing up in a coach reservation applied to FC as well, if I read his first post correctly).

While I probably wouldn't use miles to upgrade such a relatively short flight, it is a special occasion, and they may not fly all that much...

While you didn't ask, for a flight that short I would instead save the miles and take the money and get a nice dinner or something with the money. It's just not worth it for a snack.

+1, a two hour flight is not exactly going to be a F expierence (plus IIRC MCO does not have a F security line).

IMhO I can think of far better things to do with 40K RDM + $150.00

.... IMhO I can think of far better things to do with 40K RDM + $150.00while us more jaded flyers can have different ideas, what matters is what the OP wants do with his miles and $$

Do you have any status with UA? Routes to/from MCO are easy upgrades, even a silver has a great chance of making it. Or you might be able to buy the upgrade day-of for $50-$100.

That said, make sure you get real dinner someplace nice before/after the plane ride - I only got away with airline food on my wife's bday because we were going to Brazil in C. "Dinner" in domestic F is not going to impress!

If a snack at least isn't complimentary in first, I question the worth of spending 40,000 miles and $150.

You will get a snack, but I don't think you'll think it was a snack worth $75 a head.

By all means go nuts and treat your wife for your anniversary if that's what you want to do. But please be aware that it's not going to be good value for money/miles.

I'd save up 'til 200,000 miles and then get two business-class tickets to Europe, personally.

Thanks guys! Think I will forego the upgrade and save the miles for a longer flight. Take care!