Upgrade on international award ticket
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1
Upgrade on international award ticket
I'm 1K (and a Million Mile Flyer) but United tells me that if i book an international flight with miles, I can't be upgraded either complementary or with Plus Points. I also tried doing it on the website but was blocked there too. Apparently if it was domestic, I could be upgraded if i paid the taxes and fees with a Chase card. Not sure what's more ridiculous - that paying the tiny amount with a Chase card changes the result or that its only for domestic. Does anybody know a way around this?
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,580
Welcome to FT!, lfinger
correct
correct, you can waitlist at least, no guarantee of upgrades
Become a GS, they can --but just GS mileage tickets
You may be offered a cash upgrade opportunity and you can waitlist for IN mileage award.
Become a GS, they can --
You may be offered a cash upgrade opportunity and you can waitlist for IN mileage award.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 24, 2022 at 10:45 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
I'm 1K (and a Million Mile Flyer) but United tells me that if i book an international flight with miles, I can't be upgraded either complementary or with Plus Points. I also tried doing it on the website but was blocked there too. Apparently if it was domestic, I could be upgraded if i paid the taxes and fees with a Chase card. Not sure what's more ridiculous - that paying the tiny amount with a Chase card changes the result or that its only for domestic. Does anybody know a way around this?
For CPU-eligible flights, I don't think you actually have to pay the taxes with a Chase card; I think it's enough just to be a cardholder. But you still have to have Premier status to get upgraded; the card merely lets you receive those CPUs, based on your status, on award tickets also.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I'm 1K (and a Million Mile Flyer) but United tells me that if i book an international flight with miles, I can't be upgraded either complementary or with Plus Points. I also tried doing it on the website but was blocked there too. Apparently if it was domestic, I could be upgraded if i paid the taxes and fees with a Chase card. Not sure what's more ridiculous - that paying the tiny amount with a Chase card changes the result or that its only for domestic. Does anybody know a way around this?
I do this when my wife flies with me - Company pays for my ticket, i buy her a saver award in economy with my miles and upgrade her with PP - IMO - One of the best perks for GS.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Minor nuance - certain international flights are eligible for CPUs but they are short-hauls (Canada, Mexico, etc).
And some domestics are ineligible (east coast to/from HNL, ps, etc).
And some domestics are ineligible (east coast to/from HNL, ps, etc).
#7
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,773
GS can buy awards and upgrade with PP - but both the miles and PP must come from a GS account - every now and then you hear than some agent use GS PP to upgrade an award from a non GS account but it is very rare and probably a mistake.
I do this when my wife flies with me - Company pays for my ticket, i buy her a saver award in economy with my miles and upgrade her with PP - IMO - One of the best perks for GS.
I do this when my wife flies with me - Company pays for my ticket, i buy her a saver award in economy with my miles and upgrade her with PP - IMO - One of the best perks for GS.
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,288
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,925
I was just looking at reservations for January to San Juan PR. The flights within the Continental US are displaying "Complimentary Premier Upgrade Requested" but the flights to/from SJU are not. It looks like UA may be becoming more restrictive as to which flights will be CPU eligible.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,359
I was just looking at reservations for January to San Juan PR. The flights within the Continental US are displaying "Complimentary Premier Upgrade Requested" but the flights to/from SJU are not. It looks like UA may be becoming more restrictive as to which flights will be CPU eligible.