Consolidated "Can I Upgrade an Award Ticket?" Discussion Thread [Merged]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA 1K/ 1MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 364
Consolidated "Can I Upgrade an Award Ticket?" Discussion Thread [Merged]
I know you can't upgrade off an XY ticket. As far as I know, its been a United rule for forever. WHY?
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
Don't ask why; it just is, that's why.
It's been raised in the past and the simple answer is that dem's the rules. UA decided that award travel is not eligible for upgrades, period.
Of course, rules are made to be bent and I've gotten upgraded on award tkts using 500 mile certs but that was based on the generosity of the gate agent and not because it's something that passengers are entitled to get.
I've raised it in this forum a number of times. It seems to me that if I'm going to use upgrade instruments for my paid flights, why not be able to use it on an award tkt for my wife? I'm going to use them at some point anyway.
So when my wife and I travel (usually I'm on a paid tkt and she's on the award), we both end up sitting in E+.
Others have said that UA figures that many upgrade instruments are not used (which I'm certain is true) and if they allow award tkts to be upgraded, then more will be used, obviously.
It's also been stated that there are options to upgrade awards by simply coughing up more miles to get those seats either saver or standard.
But, in the final analysis, UA makes the rules about the mileage plus program and we abide by them.
Does any airline allow upgrades on award tkts?
It's been raised in the past and the simple answer is that dem's the rules. UA decided that award travel is not eligible for upgrades, period.
Of course, rules are made to be bent and I've gotten upgraded on award tkts using 500 mile certs but that was based on the generosity of the gate agent and not because it's something that passengers are entitled to get.
I've raised it in this forum a number of times. It seems to me that if I'm going to use upgrade instruments for my paid flights, why not be able to use it on an award tkt for my wife? I'm going to use them at some point anyway.
So when my wife and I travel (usually I'm on a paid tkt and she's on the award), we both end up sitting in E+.
Others have said that UA figures that many upgrade instruments are not used (which I'm certain is true) and if they allow award tkts to be upgraded, then more will be used, obviously.
It's also been stated that there are options to upgrade awards by simply coughing up more miles to get those seats either saver or standard.
But, in the final analysis, UA makes the rules about the mileage plus program and we abide by them.
Does any airline allow upgrades on award tkts?
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: UA-1K/Life UC, AA-EXP, AF-Plat
Posts: 202
Probably only exception at the moment is same-day upgrade paying cash.
#5
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
BR allows upgrades on award tickets. With the miles needed to upgrade, though, you would be better off initially booking the premium ticket (unless you want only a one-way upgrade).
It's actually comparable to UA's system as far as the raw ratios are concerned, e.g. US-Asia XY=60k miles RT, XC=90k miles RT, Y->NC upgrade = 30k miles EACH way. The difference is that on BR, you actually have the option to do the unfavorable-rate upgrade at 60+30+30. Maybe it comes in handy if someone gives you an XY ticket as a gift but you don't do economy travel.
It's actually comparable to UA's system as far as the raw ratios are concerned, e.g. US-Asia XY=60k miles RT, XC=90k miles RT, Y->NC upgrade = 30k miles EACH way. The difference is that on BR, you actually have the option to do the unfavorable-rate upgrade at 60+30+30. Maybe it comes in handy if someone gives you an XY ticket as a gift but you don't do economy travel.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: WLG, New Zealand
Programs: UA LTG QF LTG/P1 NZ*E
Posts: 1,887
NZ also allows upgrades on award tickets
Jeff
Jeff
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: UA GS/1K/MM, VA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 5,581
Why would you want to upgrade an award ticket rather than book the award in the preferred class in the first place.
Well I know the answer is "I want to use my upgrades" or "I don't have enough miles" or something similar. And I know UAs answer - "Tough"!
Well I know the answer is "I want to use my upgrades" or "I don't have enough miles" or something similar. And I know UAs answer - "Tough"!
#8
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: xLAS
Posts: 1,362
another might be that you've taken 1/2 of an XY award on a 10+ hour flight and decided that you don't want to suffer through Y on a long flight again... you can't cancel the award and book it in a higher class once you've flown 1/2 of it.
i made the latter mistake, once. after i suffered through 17 hours in the Y cabin, there was nothing i could do to get into C on the return flight... except for what i did: i basically threw away the return ticket and bought a ticket in business class, then upgraded to F.
i'll never fly XY again. you have no options once you begin travel.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
But even domestically, for me I book a saver award, say, HNL-ORD for 35k miles for my wife. Of course, I could book a first class saver award for 60k, if available but I would prefer to use 500 mile certs or even a CR1. In other words, for those that would rather save their miles and use other means to upgrade, UA says it can't be done.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
UA is very gestapo with awards. They don't allow one-way awards, combinations of saver and standard awards (at least for GMs, 2Ps, and 1Ps), and upgrades on awards.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
Besides, UA can barely manage their program now what with all the possible combinations, permutations, etc. You want to even more chances for screwups?
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,292
XY is an upgrade... from UnitedCargo.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,684
My guess...because "Cash is king"
Sure, there is the debate that miles is a form of currency, but I believe UA wants to get some real $$ for it's upper cabins and limit the number of non-cash people on the plane. If you book 20 people bok xy, and then 10 of them upgrade to NF, then there could be 10 more xy seats open and then you would have more non-monitary people on the plane, lowering the total revenue.
Sure, there is the debate that miles is a form of currency, but I believe UA wants to get some real $$ for it's upper cabins and limit the number of non-cash people on the plane. If you book 20 people bok xy, and then 10 of them upgrade to NF, then there could be 10 more xy seats open and then you would have more non-monitary people on the plane, lowering the total revenue.