Apr 8, 2015, 3:27 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
One of the more confusing aspects of cash upgrades is "does this upgrade get premium cabin mileage bonus and is the fee included in PQD?"
The best assumption is no bonus and fee is not included in PQD but there are some cases where there will be a premium cabin bonus and amount will count toward PQD.
There are multiple cash upgrade paths and different ones are offered at different times (and can be quite hard to separate).
The key is what is the new fare basis after the upgrade. Note R, RN, P, PN, ZN, ON, A and others have been reported.
The following are generally not eligible for PQD or bonus:
However the offer, in "My Reservations" via the cash method tab "Buy Up to First" under "View {Upgrade} Options" is likely to be eligible for PQDs & PQM bonus.
**** Due to UA changes in May 2018, this statement may not be relieable ****
**** This now appears to be an Upgrade Fee (no PQDs) and may book into Upgrade fare class (no extra PQMs) or into a mileage earning bonus fare class (PQMs earning). Unclear if that is a way to tell which will happen ****
Generally these will be reflected on the receipt as
Notice the words "generally" and "likely" -- those are weasel words to protect the wiki author because of the lack of transparency in this system 
For instance, some time of checkin paid upgrades that book into P, will earn PQM bonus but not earn PQDs.
Checking the actual fare basis during booking when you are given access (or using the Saudi site) is key in understanding the outcome.
UA Insider commented on this a while back, but there has been no improvement in the confusion / clarity in the meantime.
The best assumption is no bonus and fee is not included in PQD but there are some cases where there will be a premium cabin bonus and amount will count toward PQD.
There are multiple cash upgrade paths and different ones are offered at different times (and can be quite hard to separate).
The key is what is the new fare basis after the upgrade. Note R, RN, P, PN, ZN, ON, A and others have been reported.
- Many of the upgrade offers results in R/PN/ZN fare class (and post as Zx) -- so like a regular upgrade the mileage posting is based on the original fare class. The upgrade fee does not earn PQDs.
- Others bump the fare basis to a -UP fare which reports as a P/Z/A fare class, these are now earning PQMs at the up-fared fare class and the up-fare costs earns PQDs.
- And others book into a true P/Z/A fare basis and will earn the PQM bonus and the up-fare cost will earn PQDs.
The following are generally not eligible for PQD or bonus:
- Pop-up upgrade immediately following purchase on united.com
- Last minute upgrade at check-in
Additional Charges:
Date/CreditCard XXXX was charged xxx USD for the Merchandising / EDD
xxx USD for: Premium Cabin Upgrade
Date/CreditCard XXXX was charged xxx USD for the Merchandising / EDD
xxx USD for: Premium Cabin Upgrade
**** Due to UA changes in May 2018, this statement may not be relieable ****
**** This now appears to be an Upgrade Fee (no PQDs) and may book into Upgrade fare class (no extra PQMs) or into a mileage earning bonus fare class (PQMs earning). Unclear if that is a way to tell which will happen ****
Generally these will be reflected on the receipt as
Add Collect: An additional amount for the difference in fare was charged to {card} on {date}. $yyy USD per ticket for an additional total of $yyy USD was collected.
For instance, some time of checkin paid upgrades that book into P, will earn PQM bonus but not earn PQDs.
Checking the actual fare basis during booking when you are given access (or using the Saudi site) is key in understanding the outcome.
UA Insider commented on this a while back, but there has been no improvement in the confusion / clarity in the meantime.
Hi Everyone,
I’ve done a little bit of research on this, and I wanted to share some background on the scenario vandrei shared.
At a high level, and as a some of you have noticed more recently in the thread, the buy-up offer we sometimes present immediately upon booking an economy ticket is indeed distinct from the one presented when viewing a reservation in My Account at some point after the flight has been ticketed and confirmed. For example, the offer at booking enables customers to the flexibility to confirm an upgraded seat on a segment-by-segment basis, whereas the one in My Reservations is based on the line of flight.
Additionally, from a functional perspective, the offer immediately upon booking does not change the underlying fare basis for the original purchased fare (even though the visible fare class is reflective of the buy-up inventory), whereas the one in My Reservations results in a complete re-issue of the existing ticket. It is this aspect of the functionality which drives mileage accrual, which is based on the original purchased fare for the offer immediately after booking, but based on the new fare class for the offer in My Reservations. These policies are disclosed in each offer’s respective (and indeed, different) terms and conditions.
Longer-term, the vision is indeed to align mileage accrual policies between the two types of offers. In the meantime, the tradeoff between the two offers continues to be one of additional miles vs. the flexibility to confirm on a segment-by-segment basis.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
I’ve done a little bit of research on this, and I wanted to share some background on the scenario vandrei shared.
At a high level, and as a some of you have noticed more recently in the thread, the buy-up offer we sometimes present immediately upon booking an economy ticket is indeed distinct from the one presented when viewing a reservation in My Account at some point after the flight has been ticketed and confirmed. For example, the offer at booking enables customers to the flexibility to confirm an upgraded seat on a segment-by-segment basis, whereas the one in My Reservations is based on the line of flight.
Additionally, from a functional perspective, the offer immediately upon booking does not change the underlying fare basis for the original purchased fare (even though the visible fare class is reflective of the buy-up inventory), whereas the one in My Reservations results in a complete re-issue of the existing ticket. It is this aspect of the functionality which drives mileage accrual, which is based on the original purchased fare for the offer immediately after booking, but based on the new fare class for the offer in My Reservations. These policies are disclosed in each offer’s respective (and indeed, different) terms and conditions.
Longer-term, the vision is indeed to align mileage accrual policies between the two types of offers. In the meantime, the tradeoff between the two offers continues to be one of additional miles vs. the flexibility to confirm on a segment-by-segment basis.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Some Paid Upgrades Count Towards PQD & mileage bonus and some DON'T!
Sep 24, 2013, 2:05 am
#181
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA 1K/MM, EK Gold, CX Silver
Posts: 880
This is getting out of hand. I don't believe for a minute that UA is deliberately deceiving anyone, but the complexity has got out of hand.
It's just like fares themselves - revenue management didn't require ridiculous complexity - it was a combination of compatibility requirements with multiple IT systems (even of different carriers), commissioning and other payment requirements, that brought us to this silly state. Note that even trained agents often need to go to a "rate desk" for specialized help.
The MP earnings schedules are a parallel system, also hit by complexity every time they optimize revenue (which is their right).
Although there could be a simpler system that would benefit airlines and flyers - there is no reasonable way to get there from here that I can conceive of.
It's just like fares themselves - revenue management didn't require ridiculous complexity - it was a combination of compatibility requirements with multiple IT systems (even of different carriers), commissioning and other payment requirements, that brought us to this silly state. Note that even trained agents often need to go to a "rate desk" for specialized help.
The MP earnings schedules are a parallel system, also hit by complexity every time they optimize revenue (which is their right).
Although there could be a simpler system that would benefit airlines and flyers - there is no reasonable way to get there from here that I can conceive of.
Sep 24, 2013, 7:55 am
#182
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 311
Seems like a classic case of false advertising to me. One of the more important goals behind false advertising laws is to prevent vendors from tricking customers into believing they will get one thing with the tempting, well publicized offer, but then resorting to fine print or additional text hidden in other places to deny to the customer what a reasonable person might expect to to receive based on the primary advertising material. And the "reasonable person" is construed to be an ordinary customer who is simple layman in the business being advertised, with no special knowledge.
In other words, you cannot use terms that reasonable folks would believe would entitle you to business class MP benefits and then resort to near-deception to evade liability... Such as expecting the buyer to hunt down information in fine print on other pages, and then figure out which specific fare-basis code will be given, and then determine whether or not that code is treated the same as all of the other fare basis codes, at which point, the customer, if he is wise enough to understand what's happened so far (not everyone is an FT guru, mind you), will discover that NO business class buy-up offer actually qualifies for the higher fare-class.
At the very best, it's a bait-and-switch. At worst, it's false advertising and near-fraud.
In other words, you cannot use terms that reasonable folks would believe would entitle you to business class MP benefits and then resort to near-deception to evade liability... Such as expecting the buyer to hunt down information in fine print on other pages, and then figure out which specific fare-basis code will be given, and then determine whether or not that code is treated the same as all of the other fare basis codes, at which point, the customer, if he is wise enough to understand what's happened so far (not everyone is an FT guru, mind you), will discover that NO business class buy-up offer actually qualifies for the higher fare-class.
At the very best, it's a bait-and-switch. At worst, it's false advertising and near-fraud.
Sep 30, 2013, 9:45 pm
#183
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco Penninsula
Programs: Bear Backers
Posts: 934
First class bonus miles
Do you get bonus miles for either of these situations?
1. Bought coach from SFO to ORD. Offered first class for cash. Took them up on it.
2. Booked coach JFK to SFO. Used miles + $75.00 to get business.
1. Bought coach from SFO to ORD. Offered first class for cash. Took them up on it.
2. Booked coach JFK to SFO. Used miles + $75.00 to get business.
Sep 30, 2013, 9:47 pm
#184
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...h-buy-ups.html
no
Sep 30, 2013, 10:02 pm
#185
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
# 2 is more likely to be NO since you are will be credited for the original class fare purchased. this case is a clear cut miles upgrade.
#1 on the other hand depends; if you were sold a Y, M or B fare and upgraded from there then the answer is NO. If you purchased a first class fare then it could be.
Oct 3, 2013, 5:23 pm
#186
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: UA Pt
Posts: 4
PQM miles on ticket that gets upgraded
Howdy,
i just need a quick clarification on program rules (MilagePlus) here
This means, once you apply an upgrade (not getting upgraded complimentary) to a regular paid ticket, one will not receive PQM or BonusMiles on that flight?
So, that means, if I have a V-class ticket on LH that i use a bonus for to bump me to I (seated in C), i will not get any PQM credited, correct?
Just to make sure
Thanks.
i just need a quick clarification on program rules (MilagePlus) here
Class-of-service bonus miles, if any, will be credited according to the fare paid, not the cabin flown, and will not be credited on any upgrade.
So, that means, if I have a V-class ticket on LH that i use a bonus for to bump me to I (seated in C), i will not get any PQM credited, correct?
Just to make sure
Thanks.
Oct 3, 2013, 5:43 pm
#188
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
If using miles or certs to upgrade, there is no class of bonus credit.
In the case of cash upgrades, it becomes a may be, may be not situation. If will depend on the new fare class. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...h-buy-ups.html
BTW, what kind of "bonus" are you using to upgrade a LH V ticket?
In the case of cash upgrades, it becomes a may be, may be not situation. If will depend on the new fare class. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...h-buy-ups.html
BTW, what kind of "bonus" are you using to upgrade a LH V ticket?
Oct 3, 2013, 5:44 pm
#189
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Howdy,
i just need a quick clarification on program rules (MilagePlus) here
This means, once you apply an upgrade (not getting upgraded complimentary) to a regular paid ticket, one will not receive PQM or BonusMiles on that flight?
So, that means, if I have a V-class ticket on LH that i use a bonus for to bump me to I (seated in C), i will not get any PQM credited, correct?
Just to make sure
Thanks.
i just need a quick clarification on program rules (MilagePlus) here
This means, once you apply an upgrade (not getting upgraded complimentary) to a regular paid ticket, one will not receive PQM or BonusMiles on that flight?
So, that means, if I have a V-class ticket on LH that i use a bonus for to bump me to I (seated in C), i will not get any PQM credited, correct?
Just to make sure
Thanks.
A very good question.
Oct 3, 2013, 6:20 pm
#190
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: UA Pt
Posts: 4
Alright, i should have been more clear...
I switched from M&M (beeing FTL/SEN there for quite a while) over to UA two years ago, when i moved to the US.
From that time I have still quite some M&M bonus miles left - that happen to expire by the end of the year.
It happens, that I have a flight in December from SFO to FRA booked in V class on LH.
So I had the idea to use 50k of these M&M miles to upgrade to I/C - but CREDIT the flight to my UA account.
Here comes the catch: I need the PQM from that very flight to reach 1k on UA this year
So, in case the M&M mile upgrade will nullify PQM on UA, I would of course not upgrade, because the 1k for 2014 is way more valueable than thrashing 50k miles on M&M...
I switched from M&M (beeing FTL/SEN there for quite a while) over to UA two years ago, when i moved to the US.
From that time I have still quite some M&M bonus miles left - that happen to expire by the end of the year.
It happens, that I have a flight in December from SFO to FRA booked in V class on LH.
So I had the idea to use 50k of these M&M miles to upgrade to I/C - but CREDIT the flight to my UA account.
Here comes the catch: I need the PQM from that very flight to reach 1k on UA this year
So, in case the M&M mile upgrade will nullify PQM on UA, I would of course not upgrade, because the 1k for 2014 is way more valueable than thrashing 50k miles on M&M...
Oct 3, 2013, 7:09 pm
#191
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 328
It wouldn't nullify the PQM, you just don't get the bonus - you would get the PQM for your paid fare class.
Oct 30, 2013, 5:43 am
#192
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Charlottesville
Programs: UA Gold, VX Gold, AA PLT, DL Gold, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz 5* Gold
Posts: 469
Some of the buy-ups AFTER purchase will earn based on the new fare class but you must manually check the rules and restrictions for the upgraded ticket to verify the fare class. Some of the buy ups are V-UP tickets which likely earn the same PQM as S/T/G/L/K/N fare classes. Other buy ups are B/M tickets which earn different PQM.
Oct 30, 2013, 5:54 am
#193
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
The upsells at purchase will earn based on original fare class.
Some of the buy-ups AFTER purchase will earn based on the new fare class but you must manually check the rules and restrictions for the upgraded ticket to verify the fare class. Some of the buy ups are V-UP tickets which likely earn the same PQM as S/T/G/L/K/N fare classes. Other buy ups are B/M tickets which earn different PQM.
Some of the buy-ups AFTER purchase will earn based on the new fare class but you must manually check the rules and restrictions for the upgraded ticket to verify the fare class. Some of the buy ups are V-UP tickets which likely earn the same PQM as S/T/G/L/K/N fare classes. Other buy ups are B/M tickets which earn different PQM.
Oct 30, 2013, 6:18 am
#194
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Probably not the correct place to answer you about your LH miles - but if it is important for you to keep them alive, just apply for the LH credit card (go for the no fee bottom line credit card), and the miles will live forever.
Oct 30, 2013, 8:40 am
#195
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
This is in my opinion one of UA's practices that actually does border on fraud (along with the claim that elites have access to expanded premium cabin award availability).