For Christmas my father's friend gave me two upgrade paper certificates. He's done this for the last couple of years, because he knows I love to travel to exotic places, and he's a 1K United flyer and can't possibly use all his upgrades.

The upgrades are printed out on regular United ticket card stock, and have no reference to, nor any additional terms on the front or reverse sides. They simply state:

"Upgrade Certificate, Customer Coupon, CPR Confirmed Systemwide Upgrade.
This certificate may be used to confirm a one-way/one-cabin upgrade based on capacity-controlled seating for eligible booking classes on a flight operated by United or Lufthansa.

Valid booking classes in Region 1 - CDYBEMUHQVWSTKL
Valid booking classes in Region 2 - CDVBEMHUHQVW
Certificate is transferable however void if bought or sold.

Expires one year from issue date: 28 Mar 04
Profile code: PMO
Profile Name: UG-System"

Having read these certificates, I booked a United flight to Dubai, UAE. My ticket is a United economy class "W" ticket.

I am a United Mileage Plus Premiere Silver member. When I called to upgrade I was told that my flights are "operated by" Lufthansa and are therefore only upgradeable as standby upgrades at the aiprort on the day of departure. I told them that my certificate says it is good for a confirmed upgrade on a flight "operated by United or LUFTHANSA." They told me that there was nothing they could do, because the profile code says I cannot be upgraded. I spoke to the folks at Lufthansa and they said the same thing.

My feeling is that:
A.) I booked a United ticket for this exact reason. There was no disclosure until after I booked the ticket that it was operated by Lufthansa, and that
B.) My certificates clearly indicate that they can be used on either United or Lufthansa flights for a confirmed upgrade.

I'd be fine with a standby upgrade, but somehow I'm sure they will tell me at the Lufthansa desk that they do not upgrade from the W booking class, even though my certificate clearly states that my ticket is upgradeable. Also waiting for a standby upgrade adds so much stress to flying, that I'd really like to try to avoid it.

I really feel that their failure to honor this coupon is fairly fraudulent. I bought their ticket specifically because it fit the rules outlined in the coupon, and now they claim to have secret, completely undisclosed rules regarding this upgrade.

Is there anything I can do short of taking United and Lufthansa to small claims court to try to force them to honor their own certificate?

Any help, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ed