Mar 20, 2017, 5:47 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
"GG BUYUP" references to a policy (not publicly published) that UA will waive change fees, if on your presently booked flight you wish to buy-up / upfare to the next cabin. That is, pay the fare difference from your present economy fare to business / first.
If the agent is unfamiliar with the policy, ask them to reference "GG BUYUP" or ask a supervisor.
Note this is only on UA tickets and only applies to the same flight, flight changes are not permitted by policy (a rare agent might but generally no).
This does not waive change fees for buying-up to a "W" fare to apply a GPU but some agents may still waive the change fee and some may not.
If the agent is unfamiliar with the policy, ask them to reference "GG BUYUP" or ask a supervisor.
Note this is only on UA tickets and only applies to the same flight, flight changes are not permitted by policy (a rare agent might but generally no).
This does not waive change fees for buying-up to a "W" fare to apply a GPU but some agents may still waive the change fee and some may not.
Buy up to higher fare class w/o change fee? {GG BUYUP}
Sep 4, 2012, 8:13 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: MileagePlus, AAdvantage
Posts: 18
Buy up to higher fare class w/o change fee?
Good morning,
I'm trying to buy up an existing booking from fare class S to V (so Aegean will credit 100% mileage for the trip, as opposed to just half). Pre-merger, I believe you could make changes like this (to fare class only) without incurring the $150 change fee. If I recall correctly, the code telephone agents used was "GGBUYUP."
I've now just been told by two different phone agents, both of whom checked with their supervisors, that this is no longer possible and you must pay the $150 change fee even where the only change is paying United more money to switch to a higher fare class.
Does anyone know if this is correct? Is there another means to change to a higher fare class without incurring a fee?
Thanks, all!
I'm trying to buy up an existing booking from fare class S to V (so Aegean will credit 100% mileage for the trip, as opposed to just half). Pre-merger, I believe you could make changes like this (to fare class only) without incurring the $150 change fee. If I recall correctly, the code telephone agents used was "GGBUYUP."
I've now just been told by two different phone agents, both of whom checked with their supervisors, that this is no longer possible and you must pay the $150 change fee even where the only change is paying United more money to switch to a higher fare class.
Does anyone know if this is correct? Is there another means to change to a higher fare class without incurring a fee?
Thanks, all!
Sep 4, 2012, 8:21 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Good morning,
I'm trying to buy up an existing booking from fare class S to V (so Aegean will credit 100% mileage for the trip, as opposed to just half). Pre-merger, I believe you could make changes like this (to fare class only) without incurring the $150 change fee. If I recall correctly, the code telephone agents used was "GGBUYUP."
I've now just been told by two different phone agents, both of whom checked with their supervisors, that this is no longer possible and you must pay the $150 change fee even where the only change is paying United more money to switch to a higher fare class.
Does anyone know if this is correct? Is there another means to change to a higher fare class without incurring a fee?
Thanks, all!
I'm trying to buy up an existing booking from fare class S to V (so Aegean will credit 100% mileage for the trip, as opposed to just half). Pre-merger, I believe you could make changes like this (to fare class only) without incurring the $150 change fee. If I recall correctly, the code telephone agents used was "GGBUYUP."
I've now just been told by two different phone agents, both of whom checked with their supervisors, that this is no longer possible and you must pay the $150 change fee even where the only change is paying United more money to switch to a higher fare class.
Does anyone know if this is correct? Is there another means to change to a higher fare class without incurring a fee?
Thanks, all!
Sep 4, 2012, 8:28 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Have you tried explaining that you tried to get the website book the higher fare class, but that it didn't work? (Which the website frequently does.)
I know for a fact refaring up to a W fare has been fee-free post 3/3.
I know for a fact refaring up to a W fare has been fee-free post 3/3.
Sep 4, 2012, 9:42 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Huh? I don't think so.. UA used to allow you to do this years ago, but it's been at least 3-4 years since it went away. Upfares require a change fee unless the originally purchased fare is changeable without a fee.
If you were able to do it they made an exception.
If you were able to do it they made an exception.
Sep 4, 2012, 9:47 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Sil, MR Gold
Posts: 4,550
I had a mixed class international itinerary on all UA metal that was >$2K and was able, with some persuasion, to upgrade the <W segments to W without the change fee. The agent made it clear that this was an exception to the rule.
Sep 4, 2012, 9:48 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: MileagePlus, AAdvantage
Posts: 18
One booking is for 11/9, another for 12/25 (Christmas day :-/ )
How exactly would that work? Like, when they move a flight time by a few minutes, I could insist that they allow me to upfare if I'm going to consent to the schedule change?
Thanks!
How exactly would that work? Like, when they move a flight time by a few minutes, I could insist that they allow me to upfare if I'm going to consent to the schedule change?
Thanks!
Sep 4, 2012, 10:26 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,892
Hmm, I read the suggestion "Can you wait for a schedule change?" as "can you wait until there's a big time change or a change of carriers, get a free refund, and re-purchase your trip"?
Sep 4, 2012, 10:51 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,751
