Originally Posted by Superguy
I've seen those SWU certificates being "gifted" with purchase of an envelope on eBay. Do these actually work/worth the money, or is this something that would likely get my hands slapped if I showed up with it at the airport?
United has me a bit confused as well ... they were telling me the only way I can upgrade from an H class is a SWU or milage, but it doesn't say anything about H class. Will these or won't these work?
I figure if I have to pay money for an upgrade (in the form of a milage xfer), I might as well see if I can avoid using miles.
Thanks,
Super
There have been numerous threads discussing this topic and, as I had mentioned before, the purchase/sale of SWU's via "envelope sales" is as much against the airlines rules as the BARTERING of SWU's (a la FT's Coupon Connection). Both of these activities MAY result in the various penalties already mentioned.
Reading through some of those auctions, you may have noticed the seller emphasizing that you NOT mention how you actually obtained the SWU -- you're "suppose" to say that it was GIFTED to you, which (in either the Ebay sales case or the Coupon Connection bartering case) is untrue. Here lies the true nature of your dilemma -- are you willing to "lie" in order to sit in the front of the bus? Theoretically, UA will have no PROOF against you unless they have direct evidence of the sale/trade (via emails supplied by ebay or some self-appointed MP cop).
I neither condone nor condemn either practice, but personally would not risk the possibility of paying/trading for an upgrade only to find out at check-in that I don't actually have an upgraded seat and I lost my original E+ seat in coach and was arbitrarily assigned to some middle seat in E-.