OK, I'm US Airways Chairman (*A Gold) and my company's travel agency booked the following itinerary for me. I don't know what the "Fare Basis" codes mean, but I called US Airways and they said I couldn't use points to upgrade either of these flights. I'd really like to upgrade if I can. Is it possible, for example, to call my travel agent and see if I could upgrade the coach fare out of my pocket to a better coach fare, and then use miles to upgrade? What level does my coach fare need to be, and how many miles (and $$) will it cost to then upgrade to anything better than economy?

ORD -> PEK Continental 6009 (operated by United 851)
" Fare Basis Code: DCCO*BBVLNN"

and, later:
NRT -> SFO Continental 6004 (operated by United 838)
Fare Basis Code: DCCO*BBVLNN;

Thanks in advance!

Both your flights are on UA ... you're booked on a codeshare(s), which complicates matters. The only way to get in line for an upgrade is a *A upgrade ... that means you must have a full-fare (Y or B) ticket.

...and is not possible with US miles on a CO codeshare/ UA metal flight.

I'm new to this, so do I understand correctly that I would need a full-fare coach ticket and it can't be a code share flight, and then I may be able to pay something like $300 plus miles for an upgrade within the *A network? Seems very expensive to me.

Looking forward to 12 hours in economy

Thanks!

You are facing 12 hours in E-, unless you buy up to E+.

When I manage my reservation through Continental.com, it says E+ is not available, not surenif this is because of the codeshare or not...

You need to call UA to buy up to E+.