Does CO/UA Offer Complimentary Elite Upgrades on International Flights?
Jan 8, 2012, 5:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: United/continental
Posts: 7
Does CO/UA Offer Complimentary Elite Upgrades on International Flights?
Just wanna find out as an elite member will I get upgrade to business or first class when am on united international flights? I also have a presidential plus card.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 9, 2012 at 4:57 am Reason: retitled thread
Jan 8, 2012, 5:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
Jan 8, 2012, 7:35 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
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Please familiarise yourself with the FlyerTalk forums and how the forums work, by looking in the frequent flyer program relevant to you.
You have asked about an upgrade in the Mileage Run Discussion forum.
There is a guide to how the Mileage Run forums work:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...rums-work.html
Since you are not asking about the details of a Mileage Run Deal, but are asking a specific question about a specific airline, I will move this question to the United Mileage Plus FFP forum, where this information already exists.
Welcome, please take the time to find out what's on FlyerTalk!
BiziBB, Moderator Mileage Run forums
Jan 8, 2012, 7:49 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
How nice so many of these responses were. Where's the FT spirit I know and love? After all, we are more than a message board. We are a community.
To the original poster. Whether elite or general member, one needs either miles or certificates for most long haul international travel.
To the original poster. Whether elite or general member, one needs either miles or certificates for most long haul international travel.
Jan 8, 2012, 7:51 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Agreed. The actual answer to the OP's question is "yes, with some restrictions." There are a number of international routes where complimentary upgrades are offered. There are a number where such upgrades are not offered, but it is hardly an absolute "no" as asked.
Jan 8, 2012, 9:04 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
I'd say the better answer to complementary international upgrades is "no, with some exceptions".
Jan 8, 2012, 10:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 64
To the original poster:
You will need to use miles, money, or a SWU certificate to be upgraded into the premium cabins for international service outside of North America on United.
UA's unlimited domestic upgrades rule applies for service to/from Canada, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico (the last time I checked). Pax with status on UA or CO can forgo some of the ancillary fees (like the dreaded co-pay) when using miles to cover a long-haul international upgrade, but even those with status must cover some additional cost for an International C or F class seat.
You will need to use miles, money, or a SWU certificate to be upgraded into the premium cabins for international service outside of North America on United.
UA's unlimited domestic upgrades rule applies for service to/from Canada, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico (the last time I checked). Pax with status on UA or CO can forgo some of the ancillary fees (like the dreaded co-pay) when using miles to cover a long-haul international upgrade, but even those with status must cover some additional cost for an International C or F class seat.
Jan 8, 2012, 11:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Some flights within North America do not offer complimentary upgrades (flights to Hawaii marketed as BusinessFirst and p.s.).
Jan 8, 2012, 11:45 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Not quite correct. Numerous flights outside North America (those operated by CO equipment or by any equipment after integration is complete) offer complementary upgrades.
Some flights within North America do not offer complimentary upgrades (flights to Hawaii marketed as BusinessFirst and p.s.).
Some flights within North America do not offer complimentary upgrades (flights to Hawaii marketed as BusinessFirst and p.s.).
Jan 9, 2012, 12:30 am
#14
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,855
However in a few months, most of this will change for the worse for you as an elite. Corporate and government travellers on deep discount contract tickets that book into certain fare buckets will be given upgrade priority over elites.
Jan 9, 2012, 4:16 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Only if they are also elite themselves. Suggesting otherwise is rather misleading.