Consolidated "Can I Upgrade an Award Ticket?" Discussion Thread [Merged]
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA 1K/ 1MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 364
Thanks for all your comments. A lot of your answers make sense, but I'm still left confused when in certain situations, United prefers to leave the F cabin open rather than let someone upgrade off XY. For instance, a few months back I was on a short-haul flight BOS-ORD. The plane had 2 F seats filled and Y was fairly empty. Travelling on XY, I was not allowed to upgrade to F even though United had the seats, no one else wanted to upgrade, and they MAKE MONEY if I use my certs. That's the kind of situation,(i.e. where it seems like United would MAKE MONEY) and then refuses to upgrade that I don't understand.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
...Travelling on XY, I was not allowed to upgrade to F even though United had the seats, no one else wanted to upgrade, and they MAKE MONEY if I use my certs. That's the kind of situation,(i.e. where it seems like United would MAKE MONEY) and then refuses to upgrade that I don't understand.
UA is more likely to "make money" (to use your words) by having you use more miles (and reduce its liabilities) than by you using up some of your e-500s... and BTW, how do you figure that UA makes money when you use e-500s?
...is the 'currency' used for upgrades the same as for award tickets (airpoints)?
...inKrect... that would be NY, and only 1Ks can get it
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 27, 2007 at 3:47 pm Reason: merge
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
Apparently some GAs are still unfamiliar with the rule. I was called up to the counter and offered an op-up by a DEN GA yesterday, but he couldn't figure out how to get the computer to op-up an XY (you can't), so after getting my hopes up, he said sorry and moved to the next highest status pax. Annoying.
I figure there probably is a way he could have given me the upgrade if he'd really wanted to, but instead it was just a tease.
I figure there probably is a way he could have given me the upgrade if he'd really wanted to, but instead it was just a tease.
#19
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
CONFIRMED: UGS able to Upgrade on AWARD SEATS!
Received an e-mail about re-qualifying for UGS, and it had a little blurb at the end:
"as well as our new policy allowing you to upgrade from an award seat when calling Global Services."
I called UGS and asked them if this was the case and they said yes it was. I was able to upgrade from a Business Class award ticket to Hong Kong to First both ways using Systemwides. Did anyone know this?
UG
"as well as our new policy allowing you to upgrade from an award seat when calling Global Services."
I called UGS and asked them if this was the case and they said yes it was. I was able to upgrade from a Business Class award ticket to Hong Kong to First both ways using Systemwides. Did anyone know this?
UG
#20
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,841
Any chance you could call back and get a profile code for that? Please?
#21
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,891
That's awesome! I wonder if they will expand this to other elites. I'm guessing on a DM list that XC and XY tickets will sort to the bottom of the list for each status level, although I'm assuming that Standard Award tickets would be at the top of the list since they book into C and Y...
#22
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA
Posts: 168
This (upgrading an award seat) sounds like a pretty fantastic new benefit. I've wanted exactly this functionality many times in the past -- sometimes just because of the upgrade versus award inventory distinction, but also at times when I want to fly a friend or family member in a premium cabin, but would prefer to spring for some combination of (miles + upgrade instrument) rather than miles alone.
Any clue from one of you UGSers about whether you can do this only for your *own* travel, or whether it applies to people using your miles (or upgrade instruments) as well?
I'd love to see them extend this to other MP tiers ...
Any clue from one of you UGSers about whether you can do this only for your *own* travel, or whether it applies to people using your miles (or upgrade instruments) as well?
I'd love to see them extend this to other MP tiers ...
#23
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: 52,110
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
This is good thinking on UA's part. A new perk for UGS without devaluing other elite levels.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Big deal.
HKG Saver Award in C= 90K miles
HKG Saver Award in F= 120K miles
Why would anyone book award C then use 2 SWUs to upgrade to F?
2 SWU should be valued more than 30K miles, IMHO.
HKG Saver Award in C= 90K miles
HKG Saver Award in F= 120K miles
Why would anyone book award C then use 2 SWUs to upgrade to F?
2 SWU should be valued more than 30K miles, IMHO.
#30
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Also this could be a way to get a "split award" e.g. F one way, C the other. It wouldn't be a great deal but in some sectors might be an option if the member doesn't have enough miles to redeem a roundtrip F award. Especially in the case of standard awards. (Or C one way, Y the other etc.)