Sep 21, 16, 8:13 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
How to upgrade a partner flight using UA MileagePlus miles:
See UA's Star Alliance Upgrade Awards Page
Key points:
See this thread for the no-longer-available award chart (disappeared from united.com as of October 2018): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...d-website.html
Error codes
For UA operated flights see Using Miles to Upgrade on United
See UA's Star Alliance Upgrade Awards Page
Key points:
- Only a few fare classes (and expensive) are eligible -- depends on the carrier (see the UA page)
- Needs to be native flight numbers, codeshares are not eligible
- Generally no waitlisting but ANA allows waitlisting
- Most can be requested after ticketing (NH/ANA & ET cannot be requested earlier than 8 weeks to departure -- still true??) and must be done at least 24 hours prior to departure
- Max of 4 passengers can be upgraded
- Generally the available of award space is a good indicator of upgrade space (but not guaranteed) - typically requires (I) inventory
- Upgrade request can only be made electronically
- Upgrade requests are per segment
- It may increase your chance of success to request only one segment at a time on the upgrade page, even though it allows you to enter two (YMMV).
- For mileage requirements, see Interactive travel destinations awards chart
See this thread for the no-longer-available award chart (disappeared from united.com as of October 2018): https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...d-website.html
Error codes
- "We were unable to complete your request due to a technical problem. In the U.S. and Canada call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. or Canada, elsewhere use the local phone number. (Error code: 110).
- "We were unable to complete your request due to a technical problem. In the U.S. and Canada call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. or Canada, elsewhere use the local phone number. (Error code: 118)"
- "The traveler has the same name as an existing traveler on this flight. Please contact the operating airline for the required information and try again. (Error code: 384)"
- "Upgrade not available (Error code: 511)."
- "The number of travelers indicated does not match the number of passengers in the reservation. Please correct your information and try again. (Error code: 528)"
- "insufficient MileagePlus Balance (Error code: 2001)"
For UA operated flights see Using Miles to Upgrade on United
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Jul 30, 13, 8:24 am
#152
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
I'm constantly amazed that these short-haul flights can support a C cabin, that said I'm also amazed that SAN-SFO can support an F cabin.
Jul 30, 13, 9:31 am
#154
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Ti, LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 55,212
+1 btw on don't bother upgrading.
Jul 30, 13, 9:33 am
#155
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,987
I am not sure if its the fact that SAN-SFO can support a first cabin or if its the fact that it cannot support its own fleet of coach only aircraft and reservation systems. My guess is the later.
Aug 7, 13, 2:57 pm
#156
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
MP *A upgrade of "direct" flight on Ethiopian
I have a reservation on an ET flight in an upgradable fare class. Even on ET, I'd rather spend 17 hours in J than Y. However, I can't figure out how to even enter this into the upgrade request system so it understands what I want. Flight 500 is sold as ADD-IAD with a "stop" in FCO. This listing is different than when I've upgraded flights with a "technical stop" in the past (for example, LX flights to DAR will stop in NBO also, but DAR-NBO is not a separate segment purchasable by itself, so a DAR-ZRH upgrade is a clear request).
In this context, am I requesting two upgrades for two segments (ADD-FCO and FCO-IAD) and I should enter it into the system that way (it gives an error), or should I be requesting an upgrade on flight 500 ADD-IAD? Is there no prospect of an upgrade for only one of the segments? If I get both segments, will I pay miles for Africa-Europe+Europe-NA, or just Africa-NA?
Thanks for any guidance or experience with this!
In this context, am I requesting two upgrades for two segments (ADD-FCO and FCO-IAD) and I should enter it into the system that way (it gives an error), or should I be requesting an upgrade on flight 500 ADD-IAD? Is there no prospect of an upgrade for only one of the segments? If I get both segments, will I pay miles for Africa-Europe+Europe-NA, or just Africa-NA?
Thanks for any guidance or experience with this!
Aug 7, 13, 4:59 pm
#157
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 280
Have you tried inserting different combos into the upgrade request form and seeing what it gives you? There is still one more step before you actually have to "buy" the upgrade.
I say try putting in ADD-IAD as the routing and see what it spits out.
I say try putting in ADD-IAD as the routing and see what it spits out.
Aug 7, 13, 5:17 pm
#158
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
Good luck and let us know what happens. Travel safe.
Aug 13, 13, 8:59 pm
#159
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SK EBD, AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 95
Star Alliance upgrade not available even though Saver Award is available
I am trying to upgrade C->F on LH400 FRA-JFK on Aug 17.
United.com shows Saver award availability on the flight and ExpertFlyer shows award availability. But when trying to use the Star Alliance upgrade facility on United.com it shows "upgrade not available". I have called the Star Alliance desk who confirmed that upgrade is not available.
Has anyone seen this before? Is this a bug in the system or are there actually different buckets for Saver awards and SA upgrade?
Thanks!
United.com shows Saver award availability on the flight and ExpertFlyer shows award availability. But when trying to use the Star Alliance upgrade facility on United.com it shows "upgrade not available". I have called the Star Alliance desk who confirmed that upgrade is not available.
Has anyone seen this before? Is this a bug in the system or are there actually different buckets for Saver awards and SA upgrade?
Thanks!
Aug 13, 13, 11:17 pm
#161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,948
I am trying to upgrade C->F on LH400 FRA-JFK on Aug 17.
United.com shows Saver award availability on the flight and ExpertFlyer shows award availability. But when trying to use the Star Alliance upgrade facility on United.com it shows "upgrade not available". I have called the Star Alliance desk who confirmed that upgrade is not available.
United.com shows Saver award availability on the flight and ExpertFlyer shows award availability. But when trying to use the Star Alliance upgrade facility on United.com it shows "upgrade not available". I have called the Star Alliance desk who confirmed that upgrade is not available.
[KVS Availability Tool 7.2.4/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
Code:
FRA Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF]
JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK]
SAT 17 Aug 2013 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- -------------
SQ 26 FRA 08:30 JFK 10:55 388 0 FS~ CS~ YS-
UA 118 FRA 08:45 EWR 11:50 752 0 FS/ CS- YS-
LH 400 FRA 10:20 JFK 12:45 744 0 FS+ CS- YS-
UA 969 FRA 11:20 EWR 13:50 777 0 FS- CS- YS-
LH 402 FRA 13:30 EWR 15:55 744 0 FS+ CS- YS-
LH 404 FRA 17:10 JFK 19:50 744 0 FS- CS- YS-
Last edited by KVS; Aug 13, 13 at 11:36 pm
Aug 23, 13, 9:56 am
#162
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 204
Upgrading with miles (kind of a hassle, eh?)
I have a stash of United miles and I've tried to upgrade a Swiss Air flight and an SAS flight and been turned down both times. Is there any trick to doing this?
Is it generally easier to buy a business class award ticket with miles than to upgrade with miles?
Is it generally easier to buy a business class award ticket with miles than to upgrade with miles?
Aug 23, 13, 10:44 am
#163
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,658
Oft-discussed topic in UA forum.
You have to purchase Y/B fare in economy or C/D/J in business to be eligible to apply for move to higher cabin.
Suggest you look in here.
You have to purchase Y/B fare in economy or C/D/J in business to be eligible to apply for move to higher cabin.
Suggest you look in here.
Aug 24, 13, 10:13 am
#164
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
I hate to say this, but upgrading to a higher class can sometimes be as hard as winning a lottery. I had once used my miles to upgrade my full-Y to bis with LH to Frankfurt, Germany. I called literally dozens of times inquiring my update status after having made the initial listing on my desired flight only was told the exactly answer" the flight is unavailable" for upgrade.
Aug 24, 13, 10:37 am
#165
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 3,050
Yes, in most instances (both with UA and with *A partners) it is more cost effective and less of a pain to get a business class mileage award than get an upgrade from economy to business using miles.
