Originally Posted by
vhuang
Aren't there also capacity-controlled premiere upgrade seats that can be scored at booking time for full Y fares? i.e., automatic business class seat at booking when booking full Y?
My understanding is that if you miss out on the opportunity at booking time, you have to wait much later, until the regular upgrade queue even if the capacity becomes available in the meantime.
Is there any way to upgrade into business if using DTS and booking a city pairs Y fare?
Slight nuance: Y fare upgrade, if available, can be confirmed at time of *ticketing* not time of booking. And the problem you may run into is that many agencies do not ticket reservations made in DTS until 3 days before travel. If the Y-up is still there once you've been ticketed, it easy to log in to ua.com and snag it. On the off chance you see upgrade option before ticketing, DO NOT click. SATO will no longer be able to ticket you if you do this.
Also, as already noted above, for seat assignments just log into ua.com with your PNR and change seats - no need to call. (this you can do anytime after booking).