Originally Posted by
wimpypipsqueak
Why would you want to upgrade an award ticket rather than book the award in the preferred class in the first place.
Well I know the answer is "I want to use my upgrades" or "I don't have enough miles" or something similar. And I know UAs answer - "Tough"!
As has been mentioned, try getting a business class award tkt for int'l travel. Very difficult compared to getting an economy tkt.
But even domestically, for me I book a saver award, say, HNL-ORD for 35k miles for my wife. Of course, I could book a first class saver award for 60k, if available but I would prefer to use 500 mile certs or even a CR1. In other words, for those that would rather save their miles and use other means to upgrade, UA says it can't be done.