Upgrading using miles

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Jan 22, 2004 | 5:19 pm

deeman

Original Poster

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: Yvr

Programs: Aeroplan 75, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 163

Upgrading using miles

I'm contemplating buying an economy ticket to India and upgrading using my UAL miles. Few questions -
1) can I use any star alliance airline?
2)is there a particular fare class I have to use?
3) how many miles would I need round trip?

Thanks

Jan 22, 2004 | 6:24 pm

zrs70

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2000

Location: Los Angeles

Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP

Posts: 12,911

Using UA miles, you must fly UA and be on an H or above fare. As UA no longer flies to India, you will only be upgraded as far as you can fly on UA metal before you change airlines (NRT, HKG, SIN).

Miles are 30K per one way (including connections, and I believe a stopover). If you have a B or Y fare ticket, it is 15K each way.

If you go to the coupn connection, you may be able to find a System Wide Upgrade, which allows you to upgrade from most fares.

Good luck!

Jan 23, 2004 | 7:48 am

RichardMEL

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Programs: QF Platinum One (LTG), UA Plat IHG Plat

Posts: 5,836

Ah zrs70 - I'm surprised you didn't mention the obvious LH option. You *can* upgrade LH flights with UA miles (I think on Y B M H fares, but you'd have to check with mileage plus) however it is a rather cumbersome process of MP issuing a paper certificate which takes about 2 weeks to deliver etc. If you don't get the upgrade you can send the cert back for the miles to be re-deposited. You could thus fly UA to FRA and upgrade via UA miles, then LH on FRA to DEL, or some other part of India, and upgrade. If you have UA SWU's you can use those to STANDBY upgrade on *most* LH fares (there are some restrictions, E, O, R, N come to mind).

Good luck.

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.