Sep 21, 2016, 7:13 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
How to upgrade a partner flight using UA MileagePlus miles:
See UA's Star Alliance Upgrade Awards Page
Key points:
See this thread for the no-longer-available award chart (disappeared from united.com as of October 2018): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...d-website.html
Error codes
For UA operated flights see Using Miles to Upgrade on United
Archive; How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers {Archive}
See UA's Star Alliance Upgrade Awards Page
Key points:
- Only a few fare classes (and expensive) are eligible -- depends on the carrier (see the UA page)
- Needs to be native flight numbers, codeshares are not eligible
- Generally no waitlisting but ANA allows waitlisting
- Most can be requested after ticketing (NH/ANA & ET cannot be requested earlier than 8 weeks to departure -- still true??) and must be done at least 24 hours prior to departure
- Max of 4 passengers can be upgraded
- Generally the available of award space is a good indicator of upgrade space (but not guaranteed) - typically requires (I) inventory
- Upgrade request can only be made electronically
- Upgrade requests are per segment
- It may increase your chance of success to request only one segment at a time on the upgrade page, even though it allows you to enter two (YMMV).
- For mileage requirements, see Interactive travel destinations awards chart
See this thread for the no-longer-available award chart (disappeared from united.com as of October 2018): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...d-website.html
Error codes
- "We were unable to complete your request due to a technical problem. In the U.S. and Canada call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. or Canada, elsewhere use the local phone number. (Error code: 110).
- "We were unable to complete your request due to a technical problem. In the U.S. and Canada call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. or Canada, elsewhere use the local phone number. (Error code: 118)"
- "The traveler has the same name as an existing traveler on this flight. Please contact the operating airline for the required information and try again. (Error code: 384)"
- "Upgrade not available (Error code: 511)."
- "The number of travelers indicated does not match the number of passengers in the reservation. Please correct your information and try again. (Error code: 528)"
- "insufficient MileagePlus Balance (Error code: 2001)"
For UA operated flights see Using Miles to Upgrade on United
Archive; How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers {Archive}
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
May 4, 2022, 10:32 am
#61
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
However, for most *A carrier, upgrades come from I inventory , the same inventory as business awards. I space is a good indicator for upgrades but not guaranteed (may be addition, hidden requirements). No I space is not a good indicator for upgrades.
May 9, 2022, 2:39 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
AC SAUA - 15 minute error
Hey all,
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
May 9, 2022, 2:46 pm
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,314
To start with, saver award is principally an UA concept, not a *A concept. Other cariers do not have a two-tier award pricing structure, although many restrict partner available different from their program members.
However, for most *A carrier, upgrades come from I inventory , the same inventory as business awards. I space is a good indicator for upgrades but not guaranteed (may be addition, hidden requirements). No I space is not a good indicator for upgrades.
However, for most *A carrier, upgrades come from I inventory , the same inventory as business awards. I space is a good indicator for upgrades but not guaranteed (may be addition, hidden requirements). No I space is not a good indicator for upgrades.
May 9, 2022, 4:18 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
Hey all,
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
May 9, 2022, 4:21 pm
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
May 9, 2022, 4:31 pm
#66
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FCO
Programs: UA 1K, ITA Executive
Posts: 102
From what I understand, the AC flight is fine, Aeroplan does not participate anymore (according to AC Phone Line). I am trying to use UA Miles for an SAUA on an AC ticket. Have done it before just fine (there was no space, but at least the system told me that) with an AC ticket/plane - my assumption is that it is a UA system related issue?
May 11, 2022, 1:48 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 611
Hey all,
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
I am trying to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for a B class ticket from DXB-YYZ on AC. Is there any period of time I need to wait for after booking in order to use the upgrade? I keep getting the "Try again in 15 minutes error" (and yes, I have waited patiently multiple times) - has anyone had any success by contacting UA Customer Service? Only 4/30 seats occupied so really hoping to utilize the upgrade for a 14 hour flight :P its a 014 ticket booked with AC, classified as multi-city
May 11, 2022, 2:01 pm
#68
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
Note You have a AC ticket using UA miles to upgrade a NH flight --- that just hurts the brain to think about how many ways that can fail.
May 24, 2022, 2:22 am
#69
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 184
My ANA segment ended up not clearing off the waitlist. At T-24 hours the waitlist disappeared and I got my points back to my United account. What's frustrating is that at the gate, the ANA agent said there are 3 seats available still for an upgrade. However I am unable to use my United miles to upgrade since I am within 24 hours of the flight.
Jun 10, 2022, 9:41 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 3
Turkish upgrade using UA
Hi,
I have HYD - DEL - IST - IAH booked with Turkish. The fare class is W-H-H. I have been trying to upgrade the last segment (IST-IAH) to business for the last two days with no success. I see the following error on the United Star Alliance Upgrade Awards website after I input all my info.
'''
We cannot process your request.
Upgrade not available
'''
However, When I search for a business class award ticket in Turkish, I see there is a ticket available. I confirmed the same on EF for F availability. When I called United, they said that upgrades can only be requested online and they can't do anything. Any advice on how to proceed?
I have HYD - DEL - IST - IAH booked with Turkish. The fare class is W-H-H. I have been trying to upgrade the last segment (IST-IAH) to business for the last two days with no success. I see the following error on the United Star Alliance Upgrade Awards website after I input all my info.
'''
We cannot process your request.
Upgrade not available
'''
However, When I search for a business class award ticket in Turkish, I see there is a ticket available. I confirmed the same on EF for F availability. When I called United, they said that upgrades can only be requested online and they can't do anything. Any advice on how to proceed?
Jun 10, 2022, 9:11 pm
#73
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
The tool is not a UA tool but rather a *A tool. It goes broken at times and can take some time to get repaired.
Jun 20, 2022, 11:23 pm
#74
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: WOH Globalist | IHG Platinum | HH Gold | MB Gold
Posts: 230
I have a flight from YUL to FRA / AC844. My ticket is Premium Economy - Flexible (O) issued by Air Canada. I want to upgrade to Business using United miles. I am unable to search the availability using the "Request Upgrade" page as it shows error for insufficient miles. I called united support. They were not of much help. Is there a way to find the availability before I transfer the miles?
Jun 20, 2022, 11:47 pm
#75
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
I have a flight from YUL to FRA / AC844. My ticket is Premium Economy - Flexible (O) issued by Air Canada. I want to upgrade to Business using United miles. I am unable to search the availability using the "Request Upgrade" page as it shows error for insufficient miles. I called united support. They were not of much help. Is there a way to find the availability before I transfer the miles?