United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Premier Silver Question

I rarely fly anymore except for trips to our home in FL (from EWR) and normally fly Jetblue. We are both lifetime Presidents (United Club) Club members.

Whenever flying outside the US, I pay for BF or use miles. Have around 500K in FF miles (United) presently, saving for a long trip to AU/New Zealand.

My wife and I went on a trip as hosts for her company to S. Africa and they paid for BF and we have now qualified as Premier Silver.

My question: How can I use this lowly status to upgrade to first on our flights to FL? We go around once a month. What are my options, if I have any?

Thanks for the help, as usual I get some very good advice.

Where in Florida? I assume the Ft. Myers or Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm area?

As a general rule, fly as off-peak as you can. Tuesday & Wednesday's are the "best" days typically along with Saturday's (although not necessarily as much in the NYC-FL market as other's). Also, look at the very early morning or late evening flights.

My question: How can I use this lowly status to upgrade to first on our flights to FL? We go around once a month. What are my options, if I have any?


RSW.............but you did not answer my question about how to upgrade?

I know when to fly.....been doing it for many years.....:)

My question: How can I use this lowly status to upgrade to first on our flights to FL? We go around once a month. What are my options, if I have any?

Thanks for the help, as usual I get some very good advice.

I routinely fly this route as a silver and get upgraded probably 40-50%, in general, you'll have a much easier time getting upgraded in the summer (I was 0/8 in march/april). But Middle of the weekday flights or early morning sat/sunday flight tend to be best. Avoid the A320/737-700 routes as there are less first class seats.

How to upgrade:

Have her buy both tickets as primary under her MP account so you are on one PNR. Then Hope you get upgraded together at the 24hour window.

OK.......can this be done online or when we get to the gate or does it have to be at the ticket window??

The UG process is described on the UA website. There are two possibilities:

1. Book Y or B fares. As a Silver, you can either UG instantly at time of booking (follow the directions on the website) or will be UG ahead of everybody else other than GS closer to or at departure.

2. Book any fare. If your wife books the two of you on one PNR under her MP#, as previously suggested, you will automatically be added to the UG list and be eligible for UG commencing at T-24. Your UG's if they occur may happen at T-24 or as late as just before the doors close for the flight.

The tradeoff is that #1 is more expensive and makes UG more likely (if not definite) and #2 is cheaper but less likely.

If all of this is confusing, you can call UA and book by phone and pay the fee.

OK.......can this be done online or when we get to the gate or does it have to be at the ticket window??

As long as your wife is the primary and you are on the same PNR, this should be done automatically.

After you check-in for the flight, you will also be able to check your place in the upgrade list, using United's mobile site.

In addition, you may (theoretically?) want to check-in as soon as you can, since the upgrade list is ordered by status, then fare of ticket purchased and then by time of check-in.

No.......this sounds simple enough.

We are both Prem Silver and since we have already booked a lot of flights into 2013, we will try at the gate.

Should we try at the gate or counter?

No.......this sounds simple enough.

We are both Prem Silver and since we have already booked a lot of flights into 2013, we will try at the gate.

Should we try at the gate or counter?

The process is automatic. You don't have to request anything.

Super.

You guys are always great help on "almost" everything........:-)

Thanks.

No.......this sounds simple enough.

We are both Prem Silver and since we have already booked a lot of flights into 2013, we will try at the gate.

Should we try at the gate or counter?

This question has been answered in previous posts. If you are both Premier Silver, your names should be added to the upgrade list automatically assuming you attached your United frequent flyer numbers to the reservation. There is no need to "try at the gate or the counter" unless for some reason, your names were not added automatically (in which case, I would call United since waiting is usually a bad idea).

The upgrade can clear as early as 24 hours out as a Silver and up to departure. If you haven't cleared by the time you've gone through security, you can check with the gate agent or monitor the upgrade list through the United app. You can improve your chances by buying higher fare classes, but that also means paying more. You can always wait for a TOD offer or use miles if available if the upgrade is completely necessary. For such a short flight, I wouldn't burn the miles or money but YMMV.

This question has been answered in previous posts. If you are both Premier Silver, your names should be added to the upgrade list automatically assuming you attached your United frequent flyer numbers to the reservation. There is no need to "try at the gate or the counter" unless for some reason, your names were not added automatically (in which case, I would call United since waiting is usually a bad idea).

The upgrade can clear as early as 24 hours out as a Silver and up to departure. If you haven't cleared by the time you've gone through security, you can check with the gate agent or monitor the upgrade list through the United app. You can improve your chances by buying higher fare classes, but that also means paying more. You can always wait for a TOD offer or use miles if available if the upgrade is completely necessary. For such a short flight, I wouldn't burn the miles or money but YMMV.

Thanks.

Would UA opt to upgrade a few elites up to BF, as Y is full? Flying on UA97 on 3/21. Any chances?

Thanks!

Would UA opt to upgrade a few elites up to BF, as Y is full? Flying on UA97 on 3/21. Any chances?

Thanks!if Y is truly overbooked at flight time and space exists in BF after all upgrading is done, then UA will usually select the most senior elites and upgrade them (Op{eration}-ups)

With J9 R3 Y1 -- upgrade list should be cleared, Y is looking pretty full (barring misconnects and change of plans). UA will probably be aggressively selling upgrades at check-in.