Hey everyone, I'm new to CO, and I have a few questions I"m hoping the travel experts in this forum can answer. First of all, I just got Platinum status through a status match ( I'm 1K with United)

1) Can you re-deposit your miles for award flights w/out a fee?
2) Are confirmed standby's free? When I travel for leisure, I tend to book the cheapest flight ( usually a red-eye), and do a confirmed standby on the day of travel.
3) Can I upgrade award travel? I'm assuming I can't.
4) How do you upgrade on Int'l trips? Do Plats earn some kind of systemwide upgrade?
5) When using award miles, can I do an "Open Jaw". For example, can I book a the trip LAX-CDG ( spend 5 days in Paris), then go CDG-LHR ( Spend a few days in London), then back home LHR-LAX, on one ticket?

Thanks!

1) Yes
2) There is no "confirmed standby." The fee for a Same Day Change is $25 for Plats.
3) Not sure what you mean.
4) No SWU. Miles + Cash Co-Pay on non-Y fare.

For #3, is it possbile to book a coach ticket with miles, and then still get upgraded?

Answer to #3 is no. As a plat you can redeem for a Y award and if you change your mind and space is available change it to a F/BF award by redeeming the additional miles and the re-deposit fee would be waived. If you're looking to book an F/BF and can't confirm all segments in the front cabin CO will book you into Y and waitlist you for F/BF. About the only way to "upgrade" an award ticket is an op-up.