Mar 20, 2017, 5:47 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
"GG BUYUP" references to a policy (not publicly published) that UA will waive change fees, if on your presently booked flight you wish to buy-up / upfare to the next cabin. That is, pay the fare difference from your present economy fare to business / first.
If the agent is unfamiliar with the policy, ask them to reference "GG BUYUP" or ask a supervisor.
Note this is only on UA tickets and only applies to the same flight, flight changes are not permitted by policy (a rare agent might but generally no).
This does not waive change fees for buying-up to a "W" fare to apply a GPU but some agents may still waive the change fee and some may not.
If the agent is unfamiliar with the policy, ask them to reference "GG BUYUP" or ask a supervisor.
Note this is only on UA tickets and only applies to the same flight, flight changes are not permitted by policy (a rare agent might but generally no).
This does not waive change fees for buying-up to a "W" fare to apply a GPU but some agents may still waive the change fee and some may not.
Buy up to higher fare class w/o change fee? {GG BUYUP}
Jul 7, 2015, 5:16 pm
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,026
A friend bought an S class coach ticket LHR-SFO a couple weeks ago. I had a GPU to give for an upgrade for him and so tonight I called and the agent, without asking, said the change fee would be waived and just charged the fare difference to go from a S fare to a W fare -- $34. I'm a 1k and my friend for whom I was sponsoring the GPU is a general member. Not sure if this was just a courtesy because I'm a 1k or this is the standard for upgrading an international coach fare, but just wanted to add this data point. Phone agent (US based I surmised from her accent) was really courteous and very personable!
Earlier this year, a friend gave me a GPU to use. I had to change my fare to W, and when I called (as gold), I explained I wanted to change the fare so that I could use the GPU. She knew about the policy and explained they don't charge a fee to do that, and she changed my fare and just charged me the difference. So it seems like they will do that for anyone, not just 1Ks.
Jul 8, 2015, 4:58 pm
#152
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
Yep, they just tried to charge me $350 ($50 upfare and $300 change fee). I told them that shouldn't be the case, and the agent came back and said they don't mind waiving the fee.
She was nice enough, so I'm not going to sweat it. Either way I didn't pay it, so I'm happy - an informed customer is a happy customer! (most of the time)
Edit: After reading this thread, I realize the agent did it out of goodwill. I was upfaring to a W fare to apply a GPU
She was nice enough, so I'm not going to sweat it. Either way I didn't pay it, so I'm happy - an informed customer is a happy customer! (most of the time)
Edit: After reading this thread, I realize the agent did it out of goodwill. I was upfaring to a W fare to apply a GPU
Last edited by teeceedee; Jul 8, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Jul 9, 2015, 8:05 pm
#153
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
Can I up fare from a W fare or a V fare to a different flight where R space is open. The reason I am asking is because my return upgraded flight gets me into IAD at 9pm, but now space has opened into an earlier flight from FRA & MUC where Q is available at only $30 more. Is this possible, without the $250 change fee?
Jul 9, 2015, 8:08 pm
#154
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
Can I up fare from a W fare or a V fare to a different flight where R space is open. The reason I am asking is because my return upgraded flight gets me into IAD at 9pm, but now space has opened into an earlier flight from FRA & MUC where Q is available at only $30 more. Is this possible, without the $250 change fee?
Jul 9, 2015, 10:43 pm
#155
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Buy up to a changeable far without penalty.
Finish the call.
Go online and change to the flights you want.
You will get a voucher (not cash back) for the difference in fare.
This is really only good if you are planning to use that difference (which could be hundreds/ thousands of $.
Jul 31, 2015, 12:11 pm
#156
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Does United waive change fee when re-booking to higher cabin?
I am Premier Silver.
I purchased a one-way domestic ticket in (K fare class) for $151.
the Option to upgrade to F is offered online for $691 (no way).
However, there are F seats available for purchase (A fare class) for $444
if i were to call to re-book from K to A, would they charge me the difference in price ($293), OR , would they charge me $293 plus a change fee (not sure what that fee is as Silver Premier)
I purchased a one-way domestic ticket in (K fare class) for $151.
the Option to upgrade to F is offered online for $691 (no way).
However, there are F seats available for purchase (A fare class) for $444
if i were to call to re-book from K to A, would they charge me the difference in price ($293), OR , would they charge me $293 plus a change fee (not sure what that fee is as Silver Premier)
Jul 31, 2015, 12:17 pm
#158
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
OP, what you are referring to is a Buyup, and yes, they can process without a change fee. You may get mixed reports, but I've always had 100% success with it after mentioning to the agent GG Buyup.
Last edited by goalie; Jul 31, 2015 at 3:14 pm Reason: referral link no longer needed after thread merge
Aug 14, 2015, 11:25 am
#159
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 297
In the past I've had good success buying up from one coach fare to another without paying the change fee. Not today.
Tried to buy from an E fare to an M; tried HUACA twice and still no dice, had to pay $200 + $64.
I'm going to email 1kvoice and try for a refund of the $200 but I'm not optimistic at all.
Tried to buy from an E fare to an M; tried HUACA twice and still no dice, had to pay $200 + $64.
I'm going to email 1kvoice and try for a refund of the $200 but I'm not optimistic at all.
Aug 14, 2015, 2:58 pm
#160
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1.77MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 2,782
In the past I've had good success buying up from one coach fare to another without paying the change fee. Not today.
Tried to buy from an E fare to an M; tried HUACA twice and still no dice, had to pay $200 + $64.
I'm going to email 1kvoice and try for a refund of the $200 but I'm not optimistic at all.
Tried to buy from an E fare to an M; tried HUACA twice and still no dice, had to pay $200 + $64.
I'm going to email 1kvoice and try for a refund of the $200 but I'm not optimistic at all.
Hope you put it on an Amex card to offset the change fee...
Aug 16, 2015, 2:12 am
#161
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SYD
Programs: UA 1K, SPG LT Gold
Posts: 36
I am booked LAX-SYD on an L fare. Just called to ask if I could upfare so I could apply my GPUs to the reservation. Agent said no problem, and that that she would be happy to waive the $300 change fee this time. Fare difference was about $460, but nothing like the $9000, if I was to book into C directly. Worked out well, but the system was definitely going to charge the standard change fee. Outbound waitlisted, return cleared at time of application.
Aug 16, 2015, 9:43 am
#162
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 825
Last week I tried twice (2 calls) to do a buy up from an E fare to a Z fare on a domestic trip. The difference in price was roughly 0.40, so it seemed like a good bargain. Both agents though told me I had to pay the $200 change fee and I mentioned the GG Buy Up policy to no avail. Both did offer an "upsell" that waived the change fee, but was roughly $250 difference.
Aug 16, 2015, 12:39 pm
#163
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Posts: 42,198
Last week I tried twice (2 calls) to do a buy up from an E fare to a Z fare on a domestic trip. The difference in price was roughly 0.40, so it seemed like a good bargain. Both agents though told me I had to pay the $200 change fee and I mentioned the GG Buy Up policy to no avail. Both did offer an "upsell" that waived the change fee, but was roughly $250 difference.
Aug 16, 2015, 12:42 pm
#164
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 825
The second agent actually went to talk to a supervisor and still wouldn't budge. I wasn't quote sure though if there was a difference between a Buy Up and an Upsell.
Aug 16, 2015, 8:14 pm
#165
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
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