May 10, 2017, 11:29 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Upgrading on flights operated by ANA
Each NH/ANA segment requires an unique GPU. A a single GPU can not be used for two ANA segment nor for a connecting UA segment
Summary of Practical Advice from this thread:
* If you have bought a ticket from United (e.g., cause you want PQDs), you likely have UA codeshares of NH-operated flights. However, only NH-ticketed flights can have upgrades requested. When you have these flights, you need to call United (e.g., the 1K desk) and tell them you want to use GPUs on this itinerary. What they will do is modify your ticket so that the codeshares are replaced with the native flight numbers. This takes 10-15 minutes. You will still need to separately request the upgrades using the United GPU request form (link below) for LH/ANA flights.
* The web form will ask for information from your ticket. You will need to enter the NH flight numbers. Also it will ask for your confirmation code and can use the United-issued confirmation code (not the NH confirmation code)
* You should be able to verify in advance whether the upgrade is going to clear based on NH inventory. I class is for Y->J upgrades and O class is for J->F. These are also the business and first 'saver' award buckets, and can be estimated by doing phantom bookings of award travel for the same flights. If saver awards are showing up the classes should be available.Expertflyer and other sites can also show the availability.
* The T&Cs suggest that you cannot request upgrades until 8 weeks before the flight, but various flyertalkers have confirmed upgrades beyond the 8 week window.
* If your upgrade is not confirmed, you can keep trying before the flight. Waitlisting is now an option (for NH/ANA)
* There seems to be mixed opinion on whether O and I class inventory is put back into the system as the flight gets closer, but several have reported finding inventory show up 2-3 weeks before the flight.
* Fare mapping from ANA to UA:
J/C/D/Y/B = J/C/D/Y/B
G/E = O/A
Below are various T&Cs from United relevant to the applicability of fares, etc, copied from the website.
Acrhive: Using PlusPoints on NH / ANA {Archive}
PlusPoints can be used on flights operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for one-segment, one-cabin upgrades on any multi-cabin international flight operated by ANA and marketed by ANA or United. Upgrades are subject to availability and valid for paid, published fares only. The following ANA fare classes are eligible for PlusPoints upgrades: B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U, Y and Z. PlusPoints cant be used to upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy on ANA-operated flights. Please see the terms and conditions below for specific eligibility rules.
The PlusPoints upgrade system with NH/LH appears to be a slightly modified version of the star alliance upgrade award system (using PP instead of miles obviously). Given Z is a valid booking code on NH for a SAUA, not really surprising if there was an oversight in adapting the system to work for PlusPoints upgrades and someone forgot to either add Z-fare being allowed in the official T&C, or forgot to take Z-fares out when the upgrade request system validates the booking code.
Each NH/ANA segment requires an unique GPU. A a single GPU can not be used for two ANA segment nor for a connecting UA segment
Summary of Practical Advice from this thread:
* If you have bought a ticket from United (e.g., cause you want PQDs), you likely have UA codeshares of NH-operated flights. However, only NH-ticketed flights can have upgrades requested. When you have these flights, you need to call United (e.g., the 1K desk) and tell them you want to use GPUs on this itinerary. What they will do is modify your ticket so that the codeshares are replaced with the native flight numbers. This takes 10-15 minutes. You will still need to separately request the upgrades using the United GPU request form (link below) for LH/ANA flights.
* The web form will ask for information from your ticket. You will need to enter the NH flight numbers. Also it will ask for your confirmation code and can use the United-issued confirmation code (not the NH confirmation code)
* You should be able to verify in advance whether the upgrade is going to clear based on NH inventory. I class is for Y->J upgrades and O class is for J->F. These are also the business and first 'saver' award buckets, and can be estimated by doing phantom bookings of award travel for the same flights. If saver awards are showing up the classes should be available.
* The T&Cs suggest that you cannot request upgrades until 8 weeks before the flight, but various flyertalkers have confirmed upgrades beyond the 8 week window.
* If your upgrade is not confirmed, you can keep trying before the flight. Waitlisting is now an option (for NH/ANA)
* There seems to be mixed opinion on whether O and I class inventory is put back into the system as the flight gets closer, but several have reported finding inventory show up 2-3 weeks before the flight.
* Fare mapping from ANA to UA:
J/C/D/Y/B = J/C/D/Y/B
G/E = O/A
Below are various T&Cs from United relevant to the applicability of fares, etc, copied from the website.
updated May 2023
- Upgrades are valid only on ANA.
- Requests for upgrades can be made after you have purchased your ticket. Upgrades can be requested until 24 hours prior to departure. Your MileagePlus account number and password are required to complete the request.
- PlusPoints upgrades may not be requested when you travel on industry discount, agency discount, deeply discounted promotional tickets, award tickets using miles, or tickets purchased on websites where you dont know the exact flight itinerary or airline until after youve paid for the ticket.
- ANA may impose blackout periods where upgrades are not permitted.
- You may request PlusPoints upgrades for up to four people traveling on the same reservation. The amount of PlusPoints required is listed per passenger for each itinerary and deducted at time of request; to upgrade additional people, youll need to use additional PlusPoints. (If the reservation has more than four travelers, you will need to call the operating carrier.) You do not need to be traveling with the passengers to request the upgrades and you can request upgrades for travelers with a different last name than yours.
- While you can only request upgrades for one segment at a time, you may upgrade more than one eligible segment on the itinerary.
- Double upgrades from Economy to First are not permitted on three-cabin aircraft.
- Standby is not permitted, but waitlisting is permitted. Waitlisting is now an option (for NH/ANA)
- An upgrade may be confirmed within eight weeks of departure, if a seat is available.
- Mileage accrual is based on the original ticketed booking class, not the upgraded class of service.
- Requests for seat assignments, special meals and amenities should be made directly with the operating carrier.
- If you wish to make changes or cancel your PlusPoints upgrade request, please contact ANA.
- If an ANA segment of your itinerary is canceled, the upgrade request for that segment will also be automatically canceled. Your PlusPoints will be automatically redeposited 24 to 48 hours after the cancellation.
- PlusPoints upgrades are not available through general selling agents.
How to request
Once the ticket has been issued, requests can be made online through the Global Premier Upgrade on ANA or Lufthansa request page. You can make upgrade requests for ANA-operated flights beginning eight weeks before departure until up to 24 hours before departure. You can make upgrade requests for Lufthansa-operated flights beginning 331 days before departure until up to 10 hours before departure.
You may request Global Premier Upgrades for up to four people traveling on the same reservation. You will need one Global Premier Upgrade for each traveler. (If the reservation has more than four travelers, you will need to call ANA or Lufthansa.) You do not need to be traveling with the passengers to request the upgrades and you can request upgrades for travelers with a different last name than yours. While you can only request upgrades for one segment at a time, you may upgrade more than one eligible segment on the itinerary.
If upgrade space is available at the time of the request and the requester chooses to confirm the upgrade, United will automatically deduct Global Premier Upgrades from the requester's MileagePlus account.
How to request for codeshare flights
If you are traveling on an ANA- or Lufthansa-operated codeshare flight with a United flight number, upgrades may be available and can be requested by calling 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. and Canada, elsewhere call your local United Customer Contact Center.
Once the ticket has been issued, requests can be made online through the Global Premier Upgrade on ANA or Lufthansa request page. You can make upgrade requests for ANA-operated flights beginning eight weeks before departure until up to 24 hours before departure. You can make upgrade requests for Lufthansa-operated flights beginning 331 days before departure until up to 10 hours before departure.
You may request Global Premier Upgrades for up to four people traveling on the same reservation. You will need one Global Premier Upgrade for each traveler. (If the reservation has more than four travelers, you will need to call ANA or Lufthansa.) You do not need to be traveling with the passengers to request the upgrades and you can request upgrades for travelers with a different last name than yours. While you can only request upgrades for one segment at a time, you may upgrade more than one eligible segment on the itinerary.
If upgrade space is available at the time of the request and the requester chooses to confirm the upgrade, United will automatically deduct Global Premier Upgrades from the requester's MileagePlus account.
How to request for codeshare flights
If you are traveling on an ANA- or Lufthansa-operated codeshare flight with a United flight number, upgrades may be available and can be requested by calling 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) within the U.S. and Canada, elsewhere call your local United Customer Contact Center.
Using PlusPoints on NH / ANA
Oct 25, 2023 | 2:38 pm
#196
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott Titanium, Avis PC
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NH 101 shows 20 empty and 1 blocked J seats (out of 48) on 11/11 if that is the date. I'd say there is a good chance for you. But I would upfare to A and end up with a premium economy seat in case the upgrade to business fails. Maybe I am too risk-averse.
I have an A fare on that date ex-TYO and the equipment changed from 787-9 with 48 J seats to 787-8 with 32 J seats; only 9 available and I am still waitlisted with my PlusPoints. Nervous time.
I have an A fare on that date ex-TYO and the equipment changed from 787-9 with 48 J seats to 787-8 with 32 J seats; only 9 available and I am still waitlisted with my PlusPoints. Nervous time.
Good luck on your PlusPoints I hope you get as lucky as me.
Oct 25, 2023 | 3:07 pm
#198
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Now is a good time to remind people that counting the number of available seats on a seatmap is N
T a reliable way to find out how many seats an airline is still willing to sell. There are often passengers who have purchased tickets but who do not have seat assignments.
T a reliable way to find out how many seats an airline is still willing to sell. There are often passengers who have purchased tickets but who do not have seat assignments.
Oct 25, 2023 | 5:10 pm
#199
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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Quick question for the NH experts -- I'm looking at flying to TYO on November 1st from NYC -- does .bomb correctly show NH upgrade availability for the afternoon flight when you search for upgrade availability using PP -- or do you have to book first (in my case A class) - and then try? It is showing O9 but I class isn't even shown....
Oct 25, 2023 | 5:59 pm
#200
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Quick question for the NH experts -- I'm looking at flying to TYO on November 1st from NYC -- does .bomb correctly show NH upgrade availability for the afternoon flight when you search for upgrade availability using PP -- or do you have to book first (in my case A class) - and then try? It is showing O9 but I class isn't even shown....
Isn't NH A discount F?
Originally Posted by wiki
You should be able to verify in advance whether the upgrade is going to clear based on NH inventory. I class is for Y->J upgrades and O class is for J->F. These are also the business and first 'saver' award buckets, and can be estimated by doing phantom bookings of award travel for the same flights. If saver awards are showing up the classes should be available.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 25, 2023 at 6:08 pm Reason: wiki quote
Oct 25, 2023 | 8:07 pm
#201
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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Posts: 8,115
As far as I can tell A class is PE on NH -- I was looking for upgrade space from PE - J on an NH flight -- but there is no "I" space shown on UA when looking at the flights -- only O space, thus the question since .bomb shows no upgrade space available using PP -- but I don't know how reliable .bomb is in this respect....
Oct 25, 2023 | 8:20 pm
#202
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If looking at NH fare class , G, E, N are PremEcon
Per UA, NH fare class are
Expert Mode is not useable for seeing partner award space. As recommended in the thread's wiki, use the award search for the segment to determine award availability for partner.
If looking at a UA codeshare of NH operated flight, the UA fare class for Prem Econ will be O, A and R. And the award class will not show. You will not be able to use PlusPoints on a codeshare, it must be converted to a native NH flight number.
Per UA, NH fare class are
Expert Mode is not useable for seeing partner award space. As recommended in the thread's wiki, use the award search for the segment to determine award availability for partner.
If looking at a UA codeshare of NH operated flight, the UA fare class for Prem Econ will be O, A and R. And the award class will not show. You will not be able to use PlusPoints on a codeshare, it must be converted to a native NH flight number.
Oct 25, 2023 | 8:42 pm
#203
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
Programs: UA GS 1.8MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriott LT, Accor P
Posts: 8,115
If looking at NH fare class , G, E, N are PremEcon
Per UA, NH fare class are
Expert Mode is not useable for seeing partner award space. As recommended in the thread's wiki, use the award search for the segment to determine award availability for partner.
If looking at a UA codeshare of NH operated flight, the UA fare class for Prem Econ will be O, A and R. And the award class will not show. You will not be able to use PlusPoints on a codeshare, it must be converted to a native NH flight number.
Per UA, NH fare class are
Expert Mode is not useable for seeing partner award space. As recommended in the thread's wiki, use the award search for the segment to determine award availability for partner.
If looking at a UA codeshare of NH operated flight, the UA fare class for Prem Econ will be O, A and R. And the award class will not show. You will not be able to use PlusPoints on a codeshare, it must be converted to a native NH flight number.
Oct 25, 2023 | 8:48 pm
#204
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No, an award search will tell you if I space exists
Oct 25, 2023 | 9:02 pm
#206
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / RSW Up in the Air avoiding the Snowflakes
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Posts: 8,115
Thanks - did an award search -- nothing shows up for NH on November 1 - Given it's only 6 days away I guess I'm stuck on UA buying Y and upgrading.... Really wanted to fly back in "The Room" this trip for the same price and RDM....
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Oct 25, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Oct 25, 2023 | 9:12 pm
#207
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Oct 27, 2023 | 5:56 am
#208
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NH clears very frequently. I wouldn't give up hope.
Oct 28, 2023 | 10:57 pm
#209
Join Date: Dec 2008
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J->F NH109 on 11/3 and NH160 on 11/5 chances?
Hi. Im 1K and didnt know about PP upgrade on NH from UA1K and instead did *A upgrade from J-F on NH 109 on 11/3 and NH 160 on 11/5 after my flight was booked a month ago. Both are still waitlisted. Are my chances better with PP upgrade instead of *A? How many PP is needed from J to F? I have >300 points! I guess theres no point to cancel my upg now from *A and switch to PP?
Thanks for your insight,
GT
Thanks for your insight,
GT
Oct 29, 2023 | 1:04 pm
#210
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Hi. I’m 1K and didn’t know about PP upgrade on NH from UA1K and instead did *A upgrade from J-F on NH 109 on 11/3 and NH 160 on 11/5 after my flight was booked a month ago. Both are still waitlisted. Are my chances better with PP upgrade instead of *A? How many PP is needed from J to F? I have >300 points! I guess there’s no point to cancel my upg now from *A and switch to PP?
Thanks for your insight,
GT
Thanks for your insight,
GT
All partner UGs cost 40 +Ps per flight.
Last edited by cfischer; Oct 29, 2023 at 4:30 pm