AS a UA 1K flying CO for the first time tommorrow I realize I have no instruments to upgrade on CO. Do they offer upgrade for cash? IF so how does it work?

Thanks

Yes only if all Elites/Companions are checked in...

It would be GG REVUP (Shares Input)

Or you can try to negotiate on Coupon Connection for a mileage upgrade...I'd offer 15k CO for an SWU but this isn't the forum for it =) Good Luck!

Upgrades for cash may be offered at check-in if there is space available in the front cabin (after all the Elites and their companions are checked-in). The dollar amount will vary depending on the distance flown.
The FAQ sticky in this forum should answer this question in more detail.

What route are you flying?
Hope you enjoy the experience.

If F seats are available, you will receive an offer during OLCI - it will depend on the route and how many seats are available..

Offer 1 - a buy-up. This is an offer to pay the difference between your paid fare and the lowest published F fare that was available when you bought your ticket. As a UA elite, the lowest fare for you would be Z

Offer 2 - a segment fee (rare). This is an offer to pay a flat fee to upgrade your flight and depends on the number of open seats and the length of flight among other factors. This offer only comes up if the number of unsold F seats exceeds the number of CO elites waiting for upgrades

Your UA status has no bearing on which of these offers you receive, the price or whether or not you will even receive an offer at all.

If you must upgrade, call CO and request your ticket be re-priced as a Y or B fare (there should be no change fee) and then redeem a *A upgrade award if seats are open.

Elites dont need to be checked in or upgraded before CO offers upgrades.

CO will offer upgrades (fee-waived buy-ups) to anyone that trumps Elites. Their position is that these are buy-ups, so they're now paid F passengers, trumping Elite upgrades.

Check at a kiosk for this.

Guess an irrelevent question - FC is showing full

PHX-EWR redeye.