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}
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Buy up to higher fare class w/o change fee? {GG BUYUP}
ok, so this might sound almost impossible but I'm trying to get my mother in law to like me. My first task is to try to upgrade her on her trip from London next week.
Is there any GG BUYUP like in continental, to be able to use a SWU or another instrument?
She has an L fare, so upgrading her to W would cost about $200, unfortunately United wants to charge me $250 change fee.
Any other way to upgrade her besides paying the 20K miles plus $500 copay?
GG BUYUP (for continental) - Did you buy a low fare class ticket? Want to buy up to a higher fare class to ensure an upgrade (e.g. Y/B/M or even a true F fare)? Call in to the reservations line and feed them this little ditty and you'll be on your way without having to pay the change fee on your ticket; you'll only pay the fare difference. Sitting in first class has never been easier.
Is there any GG BUYUP like in continental, to be able to use a SWU or another instrument?
She has an L fare, so upgrading her to W would cost about $200, unfortunately United wants to charge me $250 change fee.
Any other way to upgrade her besides paying the 20K miles plus $500 copay?
GG BUYUP (for continental) - Did you buy a low fare class ticket? Want to buy up to a higher fare class to ensure an upgrade (e.g. Y/B/M or even a true F fare)? Call in to the reservations line and feed them this little ditty and you'll be on your way without having to pay the change fee on your ticket; you'll only pay the fare difference. Sitting in first class has never been easier.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
GG BUYUP (for continental) - Did you buy a low fare class ticket? Want to buy up to a higher fare class to ensure an upgrade (e.g. Y/B/M or even a true F fare)? Call in to the reservations line and feed them this little ditty and you'll be on your way without having to pay the change fee on your ticket; you'll only pay the fare difference. Sitting in first class has never been easier.
Now, as far as on the day of departure it could be significantly cheaper (provided you are even offered a buyup).
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Too bad she bought an L fare. United used to allow you to upfare without paying the change fee but that went away years ago.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
The fare difference from L to W is $198 (each way). Using the SWU instrument would make it. I just want UA to waive the change fee like CO does when keeping the same flight but only upgrading the fare.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,814
I had an agent (actually a supervisor) do it for me a month ago. I didnt even ask. She just said she would waive it since I was upgrading the fare. Reminded of the "good ole days". I did not ask for a supervisor but she was answering the phones due to short staff or something like that.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I had an agent (actually a supervisor) do it for me a month ago. I didnt even ask. She just said she would waive it since I was upgrading the fare. Reminded of the "good ole days". I did not ask for a supervisor but she was answering the phones due to short staff or something like that.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
I agree, but it's a foolish move from UA. I don't see why it wouldn't take more cash for exactly the same flight and let one more passenger play upgrade roulette. It's not like they would sell the FC seat (otherwise they just wouldn't open NC or NF).
Awesome thanks for the hint. I will try one more time Tonight, hopefully this time will work.
I had an agent (actually a supervisor) do it for me a month ago. I didnt even ask. She just said she would waive it since I was upgrading the fare. Reminded of the "good ole days". I did not ask for a supervisor but she was answering the phones due to short staff or something like that.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; May 19, 2011 at 4:30 pm Reason: multi-quote
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, AS GM, AA Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 102
GG BUYUP (for continental) - Did you buy a low fare class ticket? Want to buy up to a higher fare class to ensure an upgrade (e.g. Y/B/M or even a true F fare)? Call in to the reservations line and feed them this little ditty and you'll be on your way without having to pay the change fee on your ticket; you'll only pay the fare difference. Sitting in first class has never been easier.
Customer: Can I please give you $198 to change a letter?
UA: Sure! The total with the $250 change fee comes to $448.
#10
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,127
Many reports of UA offering double-upgrade buy-ups from Y->F of late for ridiculously low prices (for international, 3-class F, that is; we're talking ~$1k one-way). You can always check the "travel options" on her itinerary and see if they're offering a buy-up to F! Much better than paying a change fee + upfare to W and playing the SWU lottery (with UA holding back NC space more and more often now).
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
I meant in comparison to a premium fare (F/A/Z etc) which a week out wouldn't most discounted fare classes be gone?
BTW If upgrading.... didn't the old "riding the coattails" of the sponsor go away (basically, she would clear as a GM and not at the OP's status)?
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
That might change things... Is this something specific to UA? I kind of remember CO prioritized with the sponsor. If that's the case, then the upgrade chances are essentially zero since LHR-ORD on memorial day Monday will probably not be an easy upgrade.
#13
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Will an upfare with no change fee be allowed on UA after 3/3 (post-SHARES), or is the "change fee for upfares" rule a separate UA policy that's not dependent on the reservation system?
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Another thing that happens often to me. I must buy cheapest available ticket for business trips, which tent to be non upgradable fare. I'll be happy to pay the difference for upgradable fare.
Hopefully policy will move toward CO.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold75K
Posts: 850
Good question. It was very disappointing last time since UA wanted to charge the change fee to stay on the same flight with a W fare.
Another thing that happens often to me. I must buy cheapest available ticket for business trips, which tent to be non upgradable fare. I'll be happy to pay the difference for upgradable fare.
Hopefully policy will move toward CO.
Another thing that happens often to me. I must buy cheapest available ticket for business trips, which tent to be non upgradable fare. I'll be happy to pay the difference for upgradable fare.
Hopefully policy will move toward CO.