How do I get free international upgrade to businees/1st class on United?
Aug 16, 2011 | 9:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: united
Posts: 104
How do I get free international upgrade to businees/1st class on United?
I am Premier Exec status with United. I am flying a Continental flight from Newark to Beijing (i booked through united.com).
What is best way to get on standby for a free upgrade to business class (since their isnt an international upgrade list)?
thanks
What is best way to get on standby for a free upgrade to business class (since their isnt an international upgrade list)?
thanks
Aug 16, 2011 | 9:13 am
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
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**Apart from the occasional op-up (when Y is overbooked).
Aug 16, 2011 | 9:34 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAS
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Aug 16, 2011 | 9:37 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
There is actually! ^ Yesterday I just booked myself a short holiday SEA-IAH-EWR-BOM-EWR-IAH-SEA on CO for late September.. called CO rez and had 2 of my UA SWU's transferred to my CO account and I was immediately able to apply them online and confirm the upgrades... including (and thankfully) the long haul flights.
Aug 16, 2011 | 9:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 7,244
There is actually! ^ Yesterday I just booked myself a short holiday SEA-IAH-EWR-BOM-EWR-IAH-SEA on CO for late September.. called CO rez and had 2 of my UA SWU's transferred to my CO account and I was immediately able to apply them online and confirm the upgrades... including (and thankfully) the long haul flights.
Aug 16, 2011 | 9:41 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,694
Aug 16, 2011 | 10:34 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
To be clear - Chance of OPUP is slim to nil for 2P. If any overbooking, OP comes after GS & 1K on elite heavy TPAC. You should call CO ASAP and get the details of what might be available for SWU, miles, etc. Even those are a long shot.
Aug 16, 2011 | 2:35 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CLT
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Posts: 4,268
Aug 16, 2011 | 2:37 pm
#12
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Aug 16, 2011 | 2:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 7,285
I asked this question once a long time ago to a CO gate agent in EWR. He told me "You would have a better chance being struck by lightening twice and being the single winner in a $300 million lottery." I got a chuckle out of that because even though I didn't like what he was saying, it was fairly accurate.
), but it's certainly nothing to count on.
Aug 16, 2011 | 5:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA S, Marriott P
Posts: 1,161
I got an op-up on DME-IAD flight. I think it was because i showed up last in the airport ;-) When I got to the counter the upgraded ticket was already waiting for me which was super nice ;-) I was 1P at the time via linking accounts.
I plan to do same trick again next time ;-) There is only one flight per day on this route so its often full.
I plan to do same trick again next time ;-) There is only one flight per day on this route so its often full.
Aug 16, 2011 | 6:03 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Delayed at EWR
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 353