Upgrade help
 

Hey guys, hope you can help. I'm a bit of a newbie.

Which United-upgrade option seem to be cheaper? Online, or at the airport just before check-in? Im flying from NYC (EWR) to Orlando in December.

Thanks!

Are you looking at doing cash upgrade or miles?
Miles will always be the same.
Cash will depend on the flight - what offer are you currently getting? And do you have any status with UA?

Welcome to FT! ^

It is my understanding the UFC's (upgrades for cash) are dynamic, they can change depending on loads, original fare paid, dates, equipment, etc.

IME: I had a "buy up" offer at booking for (IIRC) 200-300, and the same flight UFC at check-in for under 100.

I had another flight a few weeks later to buy up for under 100... but UFC at checkin for over 200.

FWIW, I cleared UDU on both flights.

There is no way to game the system. UA prices based on demand. If demand doesn't get met, the price drops. If it does get met and you didn't buy when it was first offered, it's gone.

Note, I'm presuming you have no status on UA.

Welcome to FT.

The cheapest way ever for upgrade is simply using an upgrade instrument from GS/1K/PP.

As jhayes_1780 suggests, UFC is dynamic. It is not even necessary for UA to offer UFC option.

So it really depends on how strong your desire for the upgrade. The stronger your desire, more money you will need to pay.

Also which aircraft serves your flight?

Well, you probably could buy a bunch of fully refundable F seats then cancel a day or so before the flight... Probably a good way to get your MP account cancelled if you play that game too often and would tie up 10s of thousands of dollars on your credit card, but if you really wanted to cause a glut of F seats to drive down the price of the TOD upgrades, that would likely do it.

The cheapest upgrade price in that route I ever had was Online at check in time. $79. Funny enough, they offered an "award upgrade" for 20K miles plus $75 and a $44 E+ "upgrade" (how pathetic is that some people consider an E+ an upgrade these days....) at the same breathe. I fly that route on a weekly basis. Some hours are better than others... But the Online upgrade price at check in time is always the best

OK, thanks guys! Im paying for the upgrade and have no status. But I get it. The prices vary. Thanks!