Jul 20, 2013, 6:22 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archived thread, the active thread is UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD)
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
Aug 7, 2017, 1:56 pm
#3016
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: San Francisco and Berlin
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 31
Thanks (all) for the feedback.
"Usually" is key, on my last several flights (instruments applied on all) I would say it ran about a little better than half the time I would get the TOD offer (At OLCI or after). Don't ask me why or how it is decided that they throw one at you as I have no idea. A couple of months ago they kept sending me them after OLCI on a flight out of CLE every few hours with each one less than the last, I posted about it. I sat on my RPU and of course F got bought out. It is what it is.
Aug 7, 2017, 5:07 pm
#3017
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
Quick question - if you ware waitlisted for an upgrade with an instrument (GPU or mileage) and still on the 'hidden' list, but eligible for checkin; does United offer up-sell to you (when available), or will the system preclude that because you are waitlisted already?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 9, 2017, 1:45 am
#3018
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,792
Not quite to day of departure, but it got low enough for me to bite.
8/11
IAH-DEN
T class
So 3 days in advance, under manage reservations, offered a buy up for $129 with about 5 seats left in F of 16 (I think). Took it, since work was paying for the underlying economy ticket, figured I could pay for the UG. The flight is likely going to be packed AF, so F vs E-..... worth it.
$129 is the lowest I've seen since booking it. It's gone all the way up to $300something and then back down in the past 2 weeks.
8/11
IAH-DEN
T class
So 3 days in advance, under manage reservations, offered a buy up for $129 with about 5 seats left in F of 16 (I think). Took it, since work was paying for the underlying economy ticket, figured I could pay for the UG. The flight is likely going to be packed AF, so F vs E-..... worth it.
$129 is the lowest I've seen since booking it. It's gone all the way up to $300something and then back down in the past 2 weeks.
Aug 9, 2017, 10:30 am
#3019
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
I didn't find a thread regarding upsell offers at times other than purchase or TOD. I usually try to check regularly to see what the existing offer is (if any) for upsell offers. Today I noticed the website was offering a $99 upsell for my DEN-LAS flight, and decided it would be worth it, if for no other reason than to get the extra PQM and PQS. But (as happens about half the time), when I clicked through, I get the "not available" message. I called and was transferred to web support, where they were happy to process the offer.
Aug 9, 2017, 1:35 pm
#3020
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
DEN-LAX
K Fare
At booking K-$104, P-$233
After booking offered fare difference to P ($129)
Declined and then Accepted
I was originally going to book AA an hour later in Y for $80. However I noticed the UA flight was on a domestic 777.
At first I declined the offer right after purchase. Decided to bite and went back on ua.com and paid up.
K Fare
At booking K-$104, P-$233
After booking offered fare difference to P ($129)
Declined and then Accepted
I was originally going to book AA an hour later in Y for $80. However I noticed the UA flight was on a domestic 777.
At first I declined the offer right after purchase. Decided to bite and went back on ua.com and paid up.
Aug 9, 2017, 1:37 pm
#3021
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
DEN-LAX
K Fare
At booking K-$104, P-$233
After booking offered fare difference to P ($129)
Declined and then Accepted
I was originally going to book AA an hour later in Y for $80. However I noticed the UA flight was on a domestic 777.
At first I declined the offer right after purchase. Decided to bite and went back on ua.com and paid up.
K Fare
At booking K-$104, P-$233
After booking offered fare difference to P ($129)
Declined and then Accepted
I was originally going to book AA an hour later in Y for $80. However I noticed the UA flight was on a domestic 777.
At first I declined the offer right after purchase. Decided to bite and went back on ua.com and paid up.
Aug 9, 2017, 1:44 pm
#3022
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
I'm looking good on the receipt. I rarely fly UA anymore so if it doesn't work out I am not worried about the loss of PQD/RDM.
Aug 9, 2017, 2:15 pm
#3023
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 578
Aug 9, 2017, 2:26 pm
#3024
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
If you see this, you purchased a "TOD offer"/premium cabin upsell. Your fee is non-refundable, non-transferrable, not part of the coupon value, and you will not earn PQD or RDM for the additional amount. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) at booking, or (b) during or after check-in.
If you see this, your actually changed your ticket to a First or Business class ticket. Your additional money has been added to the coupon value, the fare basis has been changed, and you will earn additional PQD and RDM. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) using "Buy Up to United First" or similar from Manage Reservations, or (b) by calling and asking to change to the premium cabin with a change fee waiver per GG BUYUP:
Your actual PQM earnings depend on the booking code, which varies in the first case and is always a revenue earning code in the second. This thread deals primarily with reports of offers using the first mechanism, whose pricing is less well understood.
Aug 9, 2017, 4:57 pm
#3025
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 578
Sure, no problem. Grabbed the following at random from some of my receipts from last year. (Ignore the highlights as I had search enabled.)
If you see this, you purchased a "TOD offer"/premium cabin upsell. Your fee is non-refundable, non-transferrable, not part of the coupon value, and you will not earn PQD or RDM for the additional amount. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) at booking, or (b) during or after check-in.
Attachment 37735
If you see this, your actually changed your ticket to a First or Business class ticket. Your additional money has been added to the coupon value, the fare basis has been changed, and you will earn additional PQD and RDM. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) using "Buy Up to United First" or similar from Manage Reservations, or (b) by calling and asking to change to the premium cabin with a change fee waiver per GG BUYUP:
Attachment 37734
Your actual PQM earnings depend on the booking code, which varies in the first case and is always a revenue earning code in the second. This thread deals primarily with reports of offers using the first mechanism, whose pricing is less well understood.
If you see this, you purchased a "TOD offer"/premium cabin upsell. Your fee is non-refundable, non-transferrable, not part of the coupon value, and you will not earn PQD or RDM for the additional amount. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) at booking, or (b) during or after check-in.
Attachment 37735
If you see this, your actually changed your ticket to a First or Business class ticket. Your additional money has been added to the coupon value, the fare basis has been changed, and you will earn additional PQD and RDM. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) using "Buy Up to United First" or similar from Manage Reservations, or (b) by calling and asking to change to the premium cabin with a change fee waiver per GG BUYUP:
Attachment 37734
Your actual PQM earnings depend on the booking code, which varies in the first case and is always a revenue earning code in the second. This thread deals primarily with reports of offers using the first mechanism, whose pricing is less well understood.
I think that United could be a lot more transparent in this. Hiding PQD and RDM earning differences for what a "normal, everyday passenger" would assume to be the same thing (paying to upgrade to first/business), just feels dishonest.
Ah well, there are bigger problems in the world.
Thanks again for the information!
Aug 10, 2017, 10:31 am
#3026
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NorCal - 1K 2MM
Posts: 2,089
Sure, no problem. Grabbed the following at random from some of my receipts from last year. (Ignore the highlights as I had search enabled.)
If you see this, you purchased a "TOD offer"/premium cabin upsell. Your fee is non-refundable, non-transferrable, not part of the coupon value, and you will not earn PQD or RDM for the additional amount. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) at booking, or (b) during or after check-in.
Attachment 37735
If you see this, your actually changed your ticket to a First or Business class ticket. Your additional money has been added to the coupon value, the fare basis has been changed, and you will earn additional PQD and RDM. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) using "Buy Up to United First" or similar from Manage Reservations, or (b) by calling and asking to change to the premium cabin with a change fee waiver per GG BUYUP:
Attachment 37734
Your actual PQM earnings depend on the booking code, which varies in the first case and is always a revenue earning code in the second. This thread deals primarily with reports of offers using the first mechanism, whose pricing is less well understood.
If you see this, you purchased a "TOD offer"/premium cabin upsell. Your fee is non-refundable, non-transferrable, not part of the coupon value, and you will not earn PQD or RDM for the additional amount. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) at booking, or (b) during or after check-in.
Attachment 37735
If you see this, your actually changed your ticket to a First or Business class ticket. Your additional money has been added to the coupon value, the fare basis has been changed, and you will earn additional PQD and RDM. This happens if you accept the upgrade offer (a) using "Buy Up to United First" or similar from Manage Reservations, or (b) by calling and asking to change to the premium cabin with a change fee waiver per GG BUYUP:
Attachment 37734
Your actual PQM earnings depend on the booking code, which varies in the first case and is always a revenue earning code in the second. This thread deals primarily with reports of offers using the first mechanism, whose pricing is less well understood.
Aug 10, 2017, 11:02 am
#3027
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
Aug 11, 2017, 11:00 am
#3028
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
UA1210 today (IAD-SFO)
3 F seats available, no TOD upgrade offer available as far as I can tell. First time I have seen no offer available with F2+ on a leg between those two airports.
3 F seats available, no TOD upgrade offer available as far as I can tell. First time I have seen no offer available with F2+ on a leg between those two airports.
Aug 12, 2017, 4:16 am
#3029
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
I'm interested in buying up BOS-ORD sometime between now and our late September departure. Is $129 the best offer I'm likely to see?
Trying to understand the strategy...when is the best time to do it, etc. Thx!
Trying to understand the strategy...when is the best time to do it, etc. Thx!
Aug 12, 2017, 6:01 am
#3030
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Yes, $129 is the standard upsell for that route.