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!
Mar 16, 2017, 11:03 am
#406
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The receipt is available under "Manage Reservations."
Apr 20, 2017, 8:36 pm
#407
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I paid $89 at check in to upgrade a RDU-IAH flight last week and sadly ended up in ZK. Oh well it was still a good deal.
Jun 1, 2017, 10:14 am
#408
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: CVG, originally LAX/SNA
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Posts: 77
Paid up for 3 segments in a span of 2 weeks and all 3 of them ended up changing to P fare class. 2 of them were classified as an "upgrade" while last one as an "upfare"
May 18th - UA 5211 CVG-ORD: $55 ("upfared" and called in to get the My Reservation price)
May 26th - UA 741 ORD-SFO: $199 ("upgrade" and found it at online check in)
May 29th - UA 1858 SFO-DEN: $129 ("upgrade" and did it at the gate with ExpertFlyer help)
May 18th - UA 5211 CVG-ORD: $55 ("upfared" and called in to get the My Reservation price)
May 26th - UA 741 ORD-SFO: $199 ("upgrade" and found it at online check in)
May 29th - UA 1858 SFO-DEN: $129 ("upgrade" and did it at the gate with ExpertFlyer help)
Last edited by InterPlace55; Jun 1, 2017 at 10:17 am Reason: More elaboration
Jun 7, 2017, 1:40 pm
#409
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Took a $99 pop-up-at-purchase offer from ORD-EWR on a Monday morning 737. To me, a good value and was very surprised to see it book into F class, as in:
Does this meat 3X PQMs on that segment? Not a HUGE deal, but you never know!
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Fare Class: United First (F)
Meal: Refreshments
Fare Class: United First (F)
Meal: Refreshments
Jun 7, 2017, 2:12 pm
#410
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Weird! Yes, I would expect it to post as F class (300% PQM).
Jun 7, 2017, 2:39 pm
#411
Used to be MBS PremExec
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F9 A9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0 R0 RN0...And so on.
Jul 20, 2017, 1:26 pm
#412
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Washington DC and Denver CO
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 379
Just did a P-class buy-up 5 days before departure.. However receipt is currently showing extra PQMs, but not extra PQDs yet. However, the "Airfare Paid" does include the add collect.. Was originally ~$471, now showing a lovely $666.. Should this probably get the PQDs paid as well, despite the XX9 cost and it not showing yet? (Apparently the buyup breakdown was $195 airfare $14 taxes). Never seen the "BU200USDFC2" code before.
-----
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 666.05 USD (Originally $471)
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 78.35 USD
Award Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
BU200USDFC2
All changes must be made prior to the departure date, or the ticket has no value.
Add Collect: An additional amount for the difference in fare was charged to VISA VIXXXXXXXXXXXX9570 on Thursday, July 20, 2017. $209.00 USD per ticket for an additional total of $209.00 USD was collected.
-----
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 666.05 USD (Originally $471)
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 78.35 USD
Award Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
BU200USDFC2
All changes must be made prior to the departure date, or the ticket has no value.
Add Collect: An additional amount for the difference in fare was charged to VISA VIXXXXXXXXXXXX9570 on Thursday, July 20, 2017. $209.00 USD per ticket for an additional total of $209.00 USD was collected.
Jul 20, 2017, 1:52 pm
#413
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Just did a P-class buy-up 5 days before departure.. However receipt is currently showing extra PQMs, but not extra PQDs yet. However, the "Airfare Paid" does include the add collect.. Was originally ~$471, now showing a lovely $666.. Should this probably get the PQDs paid as well, despite the XX9 cost and it not showing yet? (Apparently the buyup breakdown was $195 airfare $14 taxes). Never seen the "BU200USDFC2" code before.
-----
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 666.05 USD (Originally $471)
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 78.35 USD
Award Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
BU200USDFC2
All changes must be made prior to the departure date, or the ticket has no value.
Add Collect: An additional amount for the difference in fare was charged to VISA VIXXXXXXXXXXXX9570 on Thursday, July 20, 2017. $209.00 USD per ticket for an additional total of $209.00 USD was collected.
-----
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 666.05 USD (Originally $471)
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 78.35 USD
Award Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
BU200USDFC2
All changes must be made prior to the departure date, or the ticket has no value.
Add Collect: An additional amount for the difference in fare was charged to VISA VIXXXXXXXXXXXX9570 on Thursday, July 20, 2017. $209.00 USD per ticket for an additional total of $209.00 USD was collected.
Jul 30, 2017, 1:35 am
#414
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 585
purchased ord-yyz for dec.
base fare K was S$145 (~US$106). business fare P was S$445 (~US$327)
after ticket, was offered upgrade for S$134 (~US$100) and booked into Z.
after reading this wiki - i was wondering whether to rebook/cancel etc. then realised that for accrual to my SQ Krisflyer program - K and Z both accrue at the same rate.
base fare K was S$145 (~US$106). business fare P was S$445 (~US$327)
after ticket, was offered upgrade for S$134 (~US$100) and booked into Z.
after reading this wiki - i was wondering whether to rebook/cancel etc. then realised that for accrual to my SQ Krisflyer program - K and Z both accrue at the same rate.
Aug 22, 2017, 12:03 pm
#415
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
Receipt vs MileagePlus account posting
Has anyone had any luck disputing whats displayed on a receipt vs whats displayed on MileagePlus? Case in point this:
Receipt
UA 1900 SANORD F
Award Miles 1184
PQM 5169
PQS 1.5
PQD 148
Mileage Plus
UA 1900 SANORD Y
Award Miles 1360
PQM 2585
PQS 1.5
PQD 170
I know there is anecdotal information as to whether an upgrade bought at check-in will/won't count. But what I find weird about this is on my outbound I flew STLSFO, was ticketed in S, bought the upgrade and it posted as P. So I would have expected that even if it didn't count, my return SANORD would have posted still with the flown ticket class of F. Clearly my new receipt seems to indicate that I was ticketed in F, so I assumed that's what I would earn.
Receipt
UA 1900 SANORD F
Award Miles 1184
PQM 5169
PQS 1.5
PQD 148
Mileage Plus
UA 1900 SANORD Y
Award Miles 1360
PQM 2585
PQS 1.5
PQD 170
I know there is anecdotal information as to whether an upgrade bought at check-in will/won't count. But what I find weird about this is on my outbound I flew STLSFO, was ticketed in S, bought the upgrade and it posted as P. So I would have expected that even if it didn't count, my return SANORD would have posted still with the flown ticket class of F. Clearly my new receipt seems to indicate that I was ticketed in F, so I assumed that's what I would earn.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:24 am
#416
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
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Posts: 150
I am just reporting an inconsistency and although I figure that, because these events are purchased upgrades during check in, treatment of PQDs and PQMs are inconsistent and seem random and I do not think that I have a real chance of getting PQms and PQDs beyond what I have already received, I thought I'd share it anyway. Please feel free to weigh in.
I booked a round trip EWR - LIM a few weeks ago but ended up from EWR to SCL instead on the outbound leg and LIM - EWR inbound on my return. This was due to Harvey and since I had to go to SCL in any event, this was actually a much appreciated move by UA to make a change without a change fee during the hurricane's travel waiver period. Both flights were routed through IAH. The original fare calls for all legs was L. I have no idea what the fare basis was. I did not try to check on Saudi's webpage until after the last flight which was too late I guess. The search result came up with an error.
When I checked in for my EWR-SCL flight I received an upgrade offer for the IAH-SCL portion of the trip for $829 which I accepted. The new fare class noted on the receipt was ZN. A few days later, PQMs and PQDs posted including the upgrade fee.
For my flight back to EWR I was again offered an upgrade, this time for $859 for the LIM - IAH leg. Upon acceptance, my fare class shown was the same as before: ZN. Needless to say, this time, the PQMs and PQDs that posted a few days later did not include the upgrade payment.
In both instances, the language on the receipt reads:" ...was charged xxx USD for the / EDD .... for: Premium Cabin Upgrade."
After my first flight posted favorably, I started reading this thread for the first time and saw in the Wiki portion that additional PQMs and PQDs have been reported in ZN class fares. When the second flight did not post as hoped, I called the premier desk. The representative forwarded me to US's web support where I received the monotonous response that only true upfares ticketed as such and any fare differences into the same count towards PQMs and PQDs.
When the web support representative looked at my numbers for the first leg, I was told that the numbers did not make sense as they don't correctly reflect the PQDs spent but since it was an error in my favor (none of the upgrade fee should have been added to the PQDs or counted as PQMs, not even partially as it was done in my case) but that UA does audit these numbers every 2 weeks and it is possible that if an audit catches the alleged mismatch, my account may be adjusted downwards.
Any thoughts anybody?
I booked a round trip EWR - LIM a few weeks ago but ended up from EWR to SCL instead on the outbound leg and LIM - EWR inbound on my return. This was due to Harvey and since I had to go to SCL in any event, this was actually a much appreciated move by UA to make a change without a change fee during the hurricane's travel waiver period. Both flights were routed through IAH. The original fare calls for all legs was L. I have no idea what the fare basis was. I did not try to check on Saudi's webpage until after the last flight which was too late I guess. The search result came up with an error.
When I checked in for my EWR-SCL flight I received an upgrade offer for the IAH-SCL portion of the trip for $829 which I accepted. The new fare class noted on the receipt was ZN. A few days later, PQMs and PQDs posted including the upgrade fee.
For my flight back to EWR I was again offered an upgrade, this time for $859 for the LIM - IAH leg. Upon acceptance, my fare class shown was the same as before: ZN. Needless to say, this time, the PQMs and PQDs that posted a few days later did not include the upgrade payment.
In both instances, the language on the receipt reads:" ...was charged xxx USD for the / EDD .... for: Premium Cabin Upgrade."
After my first flight posted favorably, I started reading this thread for the first time and saw in the Wiki portion that additional PQMs and PQDs have been reported in ZN class fares. When the second flight did not post as hoped, I called the premier desk. The representative forwarded me to US's web support where I received the monotonous response that only true upfares ticketed as such and any fare differences into the same count towards PQMs and PQDs.
When the web support representative looked at my numbers for the first leg, I was told that the numbers did not make sense as they don't correctly reflect the PQDs spent but since it was an error in my favor (none of the upgrade fee should have been added to the PQDs or counted as PQMs, not even partially as it was done in my case) but that UA does audit these numbers every 2 weeks and it is possible that if an audit catches the alleged mismatch, my account may be adjusted downwards.
Any thoughts anybody?
Sep 18, 2017, 12:32 pm
#417
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
....
After my first flight posted favorably, I started reading this thread for the first time and saw in the Wiki portion that additional PQMs and PQDs have been reported in ZN class fares. When the second flight did not post as hoped, I called the premier desk. The representative forwarded me to US's web support where I received the monotonous response that only true upfares ticketed as such and any fare differences into the same count towards PQMs and PQDs.
When the web support representative looked at my numbers for the first leg, I was told that the numbers did not make sense as they don't correctly reflect the PQDs spent but since it was an error in my favor (none of the upgrade fee should have been added to the PQDs or counted as PQMs, not even partially as it was done in my case) but that UA does audit these numbers every 2 weeks and it is possible that if an audit catches the alleged mismatch, my account may be adjusted downwards. ...
After my first flight posted favorably, I started reading this thread for the first time and saw in the Wiki portion that additional PQMs and PQDs have been reported in ZN class fares. When the second flight did not post as hoped, I called the premier desk. The representative forwarded me to US's web support where I received the monotonous response that only true upfares ticketed as such and any fare differences into the same count towards PQMs and PQDs.
When the web support representative looked at my numbers for the first leg, I was told that the numbers did not make sense as they don't correctly reflect the PQDs spent but since it was an error in my favor (none of the upgrade fee should have been added to the PQDs or counted as PQMs, not even partially as it was done in my case) but that UA does audit these numbers every 2 weeks and it is possible that if an audit catches the alleged mismatch, my account may be adjusted downwards. ...
Occasionally they do slip by and receive bonus but it is best to "let sleeping dogs lie."
Sep 18, 2017, 3:19 pm
#418
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, M Life Gold, SIXT Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum, Global Entry
Posts: 150
Thanks WineCountry. What I meant was that after the initial perusal of the Wiki and its language I thought that ZN would qualify as a fare category that automatically and regularly receives additional PQDs and PQMs. After re-reading and having read the entire thread in context it became clear to me that I misread, didn't take into account that I purchased at check-in, and that I can call myself lucky to have received an accidentally favorable treatment on the outbound flight. I will certainly let sleeping dogs lie in the future...and buy up-fares before check-in, if I like the price (or have no expectation whatsoever when buying check-in upgrades again).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 19, 2017 at 12:48 am Reason: repaired quote
Sep 18, 2017, 11:26 pm
#419
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When the web support representative looked at my numbers for the first leg, I was told that the numbers did not make sense as they don't correctly reflect the PQDs spent but since it was an error in my favor (none of the upgrade fee should have been added to the PQDs or counted as PQMs, not even partially as it was done in my case) but that UA does audit these numbers every 2 weeks and it is possible that if an audit catches the alleged mismatch, my account may be adjusted downwards.
Any thoughts anybody?
Any thoughts anybody?
Sep 20, 2017, 3:56 am
#420
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, M Life Gold, SIXT Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum, Global Entry
Posts: 150