Originally Posted by
qasr
These are not public fares, so I don't think you can call UA and just pay the fare difference.
The original booking source could rebook you I'm sure, though.
True, you can't simply call UA and upfare. However, you can do it at the ticket counter on the day of departure. I've done it many times. Usually you need to find a good agent as some will turn you away initially because of all the gov rules associated with the ticket. Simply ask to buy up to the government Y fare and offer them cash to do it. Occasionally they get hung up about needing the original form of payment (usually an agency credit card or gov issued credit card) but the last time I tried it the rules also allowed cash. Do not expect to get reimbursed for the price difference though - you're purchasing EQMs out of your own pocket.
Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
Even with normal published fares, there's usually a penalty for buying up - you can't simply pay the fare difference (at least for non-refundable fares).
No change fees of any kind with gov tickets.
Originally Posted by
HaeMaker
One more thing, my understanding is that Government Y fares don't get the Y bonus. Can someone confirm?
They certainly do get it.
Originally Posted by
stevenshev
Not on the xCA fares, which, AFAIK, are fully flexible. Always.
One small bit of inflexibility. When changing flights the xCA fares can only be exchanged for a ticket of that fare basis or lower. You need to buy up to get on a flight that is sold out in the "x" fare bucket and some agencies force you to refund the xCA ticket and purchase a YCA from scratch (others don't and there is where the ability to buy up to a YCA from an xCA comes from).