coworker offers me SWU? Can I use it?
 

Hey,

Have LAX MEL coming up. A coworker has a soon to expire SWU. He asked if I wanted it. The coworker relationship can be documented and there is no shenanigans occuring.

So can I use it? Will it raise eyebrows? I'd like to but don't want to get anyone in trouble?

Yes, provided that the coworker has not asked you to pay for it, either in kind or in money. OTOH, a thank you gesture or gift of your choosing would be perfectly appropriate.

Getting the upgrade requires upgrade inventory, not the availability of premium cabin seats.

Only if I am already upgraded on that flight ;)

Short answer - no problems.

Lurker :)

You also need to make sure you have purchased your ticket in the right fare class. See the fine print on the bottom of this page - http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...wupgrades.aspx

just meet the requirements for a GPU (W+ fare, there needs to be R inventory or you'll be waitlisted, etc), and give them your confirmation number, and they can upgrade your reservation online. or they can call in. either way it's not a problem, i've done it a lot myself, and have had my friends do it to mine. nobody bats an eye, i don't think it really matters.

Nice co-worker

And if it is wait listed because lack of r space you will be prioritized based on your friends status level.

Just discovered that last night when I donated the same to a friend who was wait listed and the rep said it is wait listed with your status and I was like what???

also, don't forget to buy that friend a couple beers. a friend who parts with GPUs is a friend worth keeping.

Agreed.

Or even buy that friend a dinner :p:p

Last year when I lost status (and my job) and had 9 SWU available, I called UA to ask if there was anything to be done, and they said "don't you have any friends to give them to".

Hope your upgrade clears and you enjoy your flight!

If it clears.

I regularly give upgrades to friends and co-workers if I can't use them. United has no objections to it as long as you're not selling them.

No problems for you.

Lifelong loyalty to the boss who SWUed me to J from int'l Y- in 2012.

No problem in using a sponsored SWU. I often do it for my sister (but not my brother in law).

Waitlisting GPU within 24 hrs
 

I've read on here in the past that this is not possible, and I just had two agents tell me very authoritatively (and without a hint of fudging) that it is impossible for technical reasons, basically unrelated to policy.

However, a few weeks ago I bought a ticket ORD-HKG within 24 hours, called in and waitlisted a GPU, and then called in again a few hours later when R opened up to clear it. So I know for a fact it's possible!

What's the trick? I don't know because I didn't use any trick last time - just asked the agent to apply the upgrade and he did it, no questions asked.