Upgrading SAS flight using UA miles.
 

I'm considering flying SAS on ARN-IAD. To buy an upgradable fare is about $800 more. Is it easy to confirm an upgrade is available/possible before booking the ticket or should I just stick with UA metal?

Your question really has nothing to do with *A.
You're using UA miles for a *A upgrade. I suggest you look in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-carriers.html from the UA forum, particularly post #2.

thanks.

another question. IAD-ARN is on UA and I was going to use a SWU. based on the post you linked to, should I book separate OWs?

Depends on how important the upgrade is to you, and how you value your miles. An alternative:

SAS allows you to waitlist for paid upgrades using http://www.optiontown.com/ where an upgrade from M (SAS considers booking class Y,S,B "Economy Extra" with larger seat, more legroom and slightly better service) to C is about €340 (US$440) one way. Those upgrades are not guaranteed at all, but comes with miles for the upgraded class if they pass.

As for the chances of this happening, search for Optiontown in the SK forum - there's a long thread about it there. Usually it's reported that you've got a better shot if M is overbooked (duh..), so if the flight is near and you can check availability it could give you a clue.

thanks. I'll check that out.

It is not necessary to book as separate one-way flights.