Larrude, that could be an option if booking through a Travel Agent. But your TA can request the upgrade electonically using miles from your account as well. You shouldn't need a certificate. This was just confimed to me by United Reservations just now.

Just so you understand how the process works (for both TAs and individuals): You don't really book your upgraded class at the time of your reservation. Your ticket must be booked in Coach first. After it is booked in Coach, then it is upgraded.

On electronic tickets, you TA books you in Coach and then calls United on the phone for the upgrade and automatic deduction from your account.

On a paper ticket, they issue the paper ticket in Coach and then call United on the phone for the upgrade and automatic deduction from your account. You still have a Coach paper ticket in your hand and you may or may not have something that says you have a First seat, but in United's reservation system you do. But most TAs can issue an itineray indicating the upgraded class of service.

Most people call to see if upgraded space is available on a specific flight before booking the Coach fare and then immediatly upgrading after that. This is what the United res agent is actually doing, even though on the phone it may seem like they are doing just one transaction.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 09-14-1999).]