Originally Posted by
ExExpat
I have a buy-up question- not to be confused with a discounted upsell offered either at the airport or prior to the trip as a "travel option".
I have to head to Shanghai on business in a few weeks- our company's travel requires we buy coach and book through Amex.
I found some relatively inexpensive C fares and would much rather just buy a C fare and pay out of pocket vs. trying to upgrade with miles and sweating it out on the upgrade list- especially considering how hard this route is to clear and I'm a lowly 2p. But, we aren't allowed to buy the ticket on our own dime and submit part of it for reimbursement.
My question is this- does United allow you to pay the fare difference between the ticket you have and a more expensive ticket to upgrade? I.e. could I book through my company per policy, and then call United and pay the fare difference to business- changing a Y ticket into a C ticket?
Unfortunately you can only do this if your Y ticket is changeable/refundable without a change fee. Years ago UA would let you just pay the fare difference but they changed most of the fares so that you'd also have to pay the change fee.
But, if you're on a flexible fare you should be able to do it. Since you booked through AMEX if you call UA to change it most likely they will tell you that you have to go back to AMEX to make the change... which is probably fine.. the AMEX travel agent ought to be able to accept your personal credit card for the difference.