I do not travel very often, and am unfamiliar with the current prices for upgrades from Coach on various airlines. I'm planning a trip from DC to Arizona, and am curious to know whether it is possible to purchase a Coach seat, and then purchase an upgrade a couple of days before departure (if seats are available), since this is generally cheaper than buying a first class seat. Could you please tell me about the upgrade methods that are available to non-elite/platinum/etc. frequent flyer members. Thanks in advance.

Some airlines will upgrade for free if you buy a full fare ($$$$$) coach ticket. I recall seeing some ads by Northwest which mentioned this, other airlines may also have this policy.

I believe United sells upgrade tickets in 500 mile segments, 4 or 8 to a book. Not sure how far in advance a non elite FF flyer can confirm an upgrade, however.

If you are not elite with United, the fare must be full fare (Y), and the upgrade is confirmed 24 hours in advance. 1K members are confirmed 100 hours in advance, and PE members are confirmed 72 hours in advance, so those members have higher priority.

Actually, on United the upgrade for non-elite members is confirmed 72 hours before hand. Only on a full Economy fare (Y, YUA, BUA). The upgrades are sold in books of 4 or 8 certificates each good for 500 miles of flight (rounded-up). They cost $200 and $400 respectively.

One other suggestion Delta, I believe, is offering 20,000 miles if you get their Gold Amex Card, this is enough for one roundtrip upgrade any coach fare to next class of service, or two upgrades from full fare coach to next class of service. The annual fee is only about $75 I think. Cheaper than buying the upgrades, and you can confirm the upgrade at the time that you make your reservation, ahead of elite members upgrading the 'hours' before hand.

Good luck!

SF1K is correct. My certificates state the rule I had mentioned earlier, but the fine print on the back states that effective Jan 1 1998 upgrades will be confirmed 72 hours prior for full fare passenegers. How do they break ties in case of PE members on a non full fare, and a non PE member on a full fare?

My understanding is that a PE would be upgraded ahead of a non PE flying full fare.

UA: Premex 72 hours are cleared before full-fare 72 hours.

Here is the pecking order:

1K - 100 Hours (Any fare)
PremEx - 72 Hours (Any fare)
Premier - 72 Hours (Full fare)
General Member - 72 Hours (Full Fare)
Premier - 24 Hours (Any fare)

I think you posted twice for PremEx SKFlyer.

For regular Premier: 24 hours.
PremEx: 72 hours.

If it was 72 hours for Premiers NO ONE would ever get upgrades!!!

Cat:

Bear in mind that the 72 hours only applies to the small minority who pay full fare for their economy ticket.

Ken H