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Thread: Flying up front:Upgrade fee may be more or less then up-faring/purchase directly,Why?
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Old Sep 24, 2023 | 3:29 pm
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steveholt
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Originally Posted by ceny
I read that it's usually cheaper to upgrade to first class after you have reserved an economy seat instead of reserving a first class seat at the beginning. So I reserved a $475 economy seat (the first class seat was $1,050). I then tried to upgrade my seat to first class but was given the upgrade price of 1,002. Which means the total cost of my first class seat would have been $1477. I watched the price for the next several days. The first class ticket fluctuated about $10-$20 but the upgrade price stayed the same. I then texted United and asked for a free upgrade (I figured why not, LOL!). They declined but eventually (after connecting me to 3 different people) agreed to give me a first class ticket for a total of $920. Not sure why I read in several articles that to upgrade after reserving will be cheaper.
This can depend on lots of things, including the original cost of the ticket, any changes in fare class availability between the time you booked and the time when you're trying to upgrade, and whatever first class offers the airline might want to make to entice possible upgraders.
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