Originally Posted by 94010flyer

A friend bought an S class coach ticket LHR-SFO a couple weeks ago. I had a GPU to give for an upgrade for him and so tonight I called and the agent, without asking, said the change fee would be waived and just charged the fare difference to go from a S fare to a W fare -- $34. I'm a 1k and my friend for whom I was sponsoring the GPU is a general member. Not sure if this was just a courtesy because I'm a 1k or this is the standard for upgrading an international coach fare, but just wanted to add this data point. Phone agent (US based I surmised from her accent) was really courteous and very personable!

Originally Posted by windhund

Earlier this year, a friend gave me a GPU to use. I had to change my fare to W, and when I called (as gold), I explained I wanted to change the fare so that I could use the GPU. She knew about the policy and explained they don't charge a fee to do that, and she changed my fare and just charged me the difference. So it seems like they will do that for anyone, not just 1Ks.