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!
May 8, 2014, 11:42 am
#211
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
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At ticketing, the "would you like to upgrade to Business First" for $2,059 window popped up and I took it. This was IAH-GIG, originally booked as a W (I think), then was treated as a Z after the upgrade purchase. I got 1.5 EQM's but no PDQ for the $2,059. Is this correct? Wasn't the $2,059 likely just the difference between the original ticket price and a one-way upfare to Z? So by doing this in 2 steps instead of 1, I lose out on the $2,059 PQDs?
Last edited by st530; May 8, 2014 at 11:57 am
May 8, 2014, 11:54 am
#212
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You rode in GF for a coach fare plus a buy-up. The price you paid was ultimately a HUGE discount to what you would have had to pay to buy the seat outright. I can't begrudge UA for not adding CoS miles/dollars to the deal. You already got one. Whether or not UA should be asking what they do for an outright purchase of their GF product is another topic.
May 8, 2014, 12:35 pm
#213
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At ticketing, the "would you like to upgrade to Business First" for $2,059 window popped up and I took it. This was IAH-GIG, originally booked as a W (I think), then was treated as a Z after the upgrade purchase. I got 1.5 EQM's but no PDQ for the $2,059. Is this correct? Wasn't the $2,059 likely just the difference between the original ticket price and a one-way upfare to Z? So by doing this in 2 steps instead of 1, I lose out on the $2,059 PQDs?
Buy-ups at ticketing are problematic. An FT member received an e-mail from MP on the subject as follows:
The Premier qualifying dollars for a ticket will include the base fare (before government-imposed taxes) plus any carrier-imposed surcharge and Economy Plus purchases on paid tickets.
No other types of purchases will count toward PQD. They include, but are not limited to the following:
• Government-imposed taxes, fees and charges
• Unpublished fares
• Consolidator fares
• Group/Tour fares
• Opaque fares (certain Hotwire, Priceline and other online tickets)
• Change fees
• Checked bag fees
• United Club memberships
• Extra seat for you or an inanimate object
• Upgrades to a premium cabin (Business or First Class) that require a fee. This includes upgrades via the airport kiosk (day of departure), Upsell at time of booking and any co-pays paid when using miles to upgrade. If a flight is upgraded through the Buy Up option through Manage Reservations, the new fare will count toward Premier qualifying dollars.
According to this, the only "upgrade" spend that counts towards PQD is the "Buy Up" option through "Manage My Reservations" after ticketing. A very harsh rule, no doubt, and very poorly disclosed.
You rode in GF for a coach fare plus a buy-up. The price you paid was ultimately a HUGE discount to what you would have had to pay to buy the seat outright. I can't begrudge UA for not adding CoS miles/dollars to the deal. You already got one. Whether or not UA should be asking what they do for an outright purchase of their GF product is another topic.
I think this is a pretty harsh result. $2000+ for a one-way upgrade from W to Z is no bargain.
May 8, 2014, 12:38 pm
#214
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,506
Ouch.
Buy-ups at ticketing are problematic. An FT member received an e-mail from MP on the subject as follows:
The Premier qualifying dollars for a ticket will include the base fare (before government-imposed taxes) plus any carrier-imposed surcharge and Economy Plus purchases on paid tickets.
No other types of purchases will count toward PQD. They include, but are not limited to the following:
• Government-imposed taxes, fees and charges
• Unpublished fares
• Consolidator fares
• Group/Tour fares
• Opaque fares (certain Hotwire, Priceline and other online tickets)
• Change fees
• Checked bag fees
• United Club memberships
• Extra seat for you or an inanimate object
• Upgrades to a premium cabin (Business or First Class) that require a fee. This includes upgrades via the airport kiosk (day of departure), Upsell at time of booking and any co-pays paid when using miles to upgrade. If a flight is upgraded through the Buy Up option through Manage Reservations, the new fare will count toward Premier qualifying dollars.
According to this, the only "upgrade" spend that counts towards PQD is the "Buy Up" option through "Manage My Reservations" after ticketing. A very harsh rule, no doubt, and very poorly disclosed.
OP upgraded to BF, not GF.
I think this is a pretty harsh result. $2000+ for a one-way upgrade from W to Z is no bargain.
Buy-ups at ticketing are problematic. An FT member received an e-mail from MP on the subject as follows:
The Premier qualifying dollars for a ticket will include the base fare (before government-imposed taxes) plus any carrier-imposed surcharge and Economy Plus purchases on paid tickets.
No other types of purchases will count toward PQD. They include, but are not limited to the following:
• Government-imposed taxes, fees and charges
• Unpublished fares
• Consolidator fares
• Group/Tour fares
• Opaque fares (certain Hotwire, Priceline and other online tickets)
• Change fees
• Checked bag fees
• United Club memberships
• Extra seat for you or an inanimate object
• Upgrades to a premium cabin (Business or First Class) that require a fee. This includes upgrades via the airport kiosk (day of departure), Upsell at time of booking and any co-pays paid when using miles to upgrade. If a flight is upgraded through the Buy Up option through Manage Reservations, the new fare will count toward Premier qualifying dollars.
According to this, the only "upgrade" spend that counts towards PQD is the "Buy Up" option through "Manage My Reservations" after ticketing. A very harsh rule, no doubt, and very poorly disclosed.
OP upgraded to BF, not GF.
I think this is a pretty harsh result. $2000+ for a one-way upgrade from W to Z is no bargain.
May 8, 2014, 12:40 pm
#215
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
Post 1 reports a GF upgrade , not BF.
May 8, 2014, 12:57 pm
#216
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May 8, 2014, 1:03 pm
#217
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,616
This is exactly my understanding - if you buy up at ticketing or buy up at OLCI, you get zero PQD. If you buy up in between using the option offered throough manage my reservations, you get PQD.
May 8, 2014, 1:08 pm
#218
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
You rode in GF for a coach fare plus a buy-up. The price you paid was ultimately a HUGE discount to what you would have had to pay to buy the seat outright. I can't begrudge UA for not adding CoS miles/dollars to the deal. You already got one. Whether or not UA should be asking what they do for an outright purchase of their GF product is another topic.
Further discussion of post #1 is probably not useful especially with the new incident.
The most recent posting that restarted this thread is post #15.
Post #15 is a cash upgrade from economy to BF. (not GF)
Please reference which incident your are replying to to prevent further confusion.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 8, 2014 at 1:14 pm
May 8, 2014, 1:10 pm
#219
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
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May 8, 2014, 1:33 pm
#220
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
Moreover PQDs are not relevant for poster #15 who is GS.
May 8, 2014, 1:42 pm
#221
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
May 9, 2014, 4:00 pm
#222
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
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Posts: 2,506
Correct, that was my concern. I didn't see a dedicated thread on this topic and I wasn't about to go through scores of pages in the general GS or PQD threads. But if PDQ is not relevant to GS, then why do they continue to track it on one's account even after hitting $10K?
May 9, 2014, 4:33 pm
#223
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May 9, 2014, 5:09 pm
#224
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After paying all the taxes, we both paid $1300 RT for the tix. Cool. By the way (BTW) the fare value for each ticket was, but $500. The rest was taxes and those rip-off British taxes for leaving LHR on a business fair. Fair enough. I've been putting up with this all my life.
$500 may be the base fare, but the biggest rip off was the fuel surcharges that the airline charged, and that does count as PQDs.
This is off a recent receipt of mine. $1,500 total price, $500 fare, $850 in surcharges, should net $1,350 PQD:
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 500.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.00
September 11th Security Fee: 7.50
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 46.10
Italy Security Bag Charge: 3.70
Italy Council City Tax: 9.00
Italy Embarkation Tax: 14.70
Italy Passenger Service Charge: 1.10
Italy Security Charge: 5.00
International Surcharge: 856.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,509.10
USD
eTicket Total: 1,509.10
USD
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 500.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 1,009.10 USD
Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
May 9, 2014, 5:10 pm
#225
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Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 500.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.00
September 11th Security Fee: 7.50
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 46.10
Italy Security Bag Charge: 3.70
Italy Council City Tax: 9.00
Italy Embarkation Tax: 14.70
Italy Passenger Service Charge: 1.10
Italy Security Charge: 5.00
International Surcharge: 856.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,509.10
USD
eTicket Total: 1,509.10
USD
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 500.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 1,009.10 USD
Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
Airfare: 500.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.00
September 11th Security Fee: 7.50
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 46.10
Italy Security Bag Charge: 3.70
Italy Council City Tax: 9.00
Italy Embarkation Tax: 14.70
Italy Passenger Service Charge: 1.10
Italy Security Charge: 5.00
International Surcharge: 856.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,509.10
USD
eTicket Total: 1,509.10
USD
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 500.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 1,009.10 USD
Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.