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
Nov 26, 2023 | 1:35 pm
#226
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,602
Hi there. Leaving NYC to HNL for a February school reunion and then figured I'd go to Japan and then maybe Thailand after. I don't have status with UA at all so I'm wondering if you have any hints ? I imagine I'll be using mileage to go HNL to Japan (can be Kyoto or Tokyo, but I'd prefer Tokyo). Then Japan - > Seoul. : )
Nov 28, 2023 | 10:18 pm
#227
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-Silver
Posts: 3,292
Datapoint: Upgrade failed on NH DEL-HND, Y fare, Y to J. Business class was sold out almost a week before departure.
Kind of disappointed but NH economy was pleasant enough.
Will UA refund the 40 PP or do I need to call? Not that it matters, I have lots of PP that are going to expire in 2024 and nothing planned anyways.
Kind of disappointed but NH economy was pleasant enough.
Will UA refund the 40 PP or do I need to call? Not that it matters, I have lots of PP that are going to expire in 2024 and nothing planned anyways.
Nov 30, 2023 | 8:35 pm
#228
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 30
Outbound flight has been F4 since I booked this a little over three weeks ago. We are now T-5 days from departure and P2 and I just cleared. Return is still at F6 so Im feeling very confident about those clearing as well.
Dec 1, 2023 | 7:57 am
#229
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: MSP/ORD
Programs: UA 1MM/GS, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 327
Batting a thousand (4 for 4) on PP upgrades, PE>Business, on my two round trips HNL-NRT on ANA this year. Japanese tourism to Hawaii still down 64.3% since pre-pandemic. Looks like all 4 flights this year will have departed with some empty business seats. Last trip I was happy w/ 130 yen/$. Now it's 150. Just amazing. Wish domestic U.S. was this easy...
Dec 1, 2023 | 8:47 am
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,482
Datapoint: Upgrade failed on NH DEL-HND, Y fare, Y to J. Business class was sold out almost a week before departure.
Kind of disappointed but NH economy was pleasant enough.
Will UA refund the 40 PP or do I need to call? Not that it matters, I have lots of PP that are going to expire in 2024 and nothing planned anyways.
Kind of disappointed but NH economy was pleasant enough.
Will UA refund the 40 PP or do I need to call? Not that it matters, I have lots of PP that are going to expire in 2024 and nothing planned anyways.
Dec 10, 2023 | 3:15 am
#231
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,449
I put in for a Z->F upgrade on NH212 for today. At around T-28, the booking went from upgrade waitlisted to OK and my plus points were redeposited. I wasn't really paying that close attention nor did I care that much (Im already in the new 77W Room biz seat which Ive never flown before) but was surprised that the waitlist was canceled. I expected the waitlist to go until departure.
any ideas?
I assume nothing can be done now that its less than T-24 so Im not going to bother even trying to ask. The return is still waitlisted.
any ideas?
I assume nothing can be done now that its less than T-24 so Im not going to bother even trying to ask. The return is still waitlisted.
Dec 10, 2023 | 6:05 am
#232
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-Silver
Posts: 3,292
Dec 10, 2023 | 6:05 am
#233
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold/MM, DL Plat/2MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil
Posts: 4,679
I put in for a Z->F upgrade on NH212 for today. At around T-28, the booking went from upgrade waitlisted to OK and my plus points were redeposited. I wasn't really paying that close attention nor did I care that much (Im already in the new 77W Room biz seat which Ive never flown before) but was surprised that the waitlist was canceled. I expected the waitlist to go until departure.
any ideas?
I assume nothing can be done now that its less than T-24 so Im not going to bother even trying to ask. The return is still waitlisted.
any ideas?
I assume nothing can be done now that its less than T-24 so Im not going to bother even trying to ask. The return is still waitlisted.
Dec 10, 2023 | 8:42 am
#234
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United 1K/*G, HHonors Platinum
Posts: 167
My upgrade from PE -> J was canceled within 24 hours on Nov 11. I thought this may have been because I checked in online to my PE seat. One could still purchase 3 J seats in the morning of the 9:05PM fight after my request was canceled.
Dec 25, 2023 | 4:38 am
#236
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 21,005
I have zero experience using PPs on NH flights. I have read UA's website and the Wiki. So I just want to make sure that under no circumstance I can use PPs to upgrade any economy fare class to a PY seat on NH816?
Dec 25, 2023 | 4:42 am
#237
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,482
*A upgrades don't work to PY. You can upgrade Y to J and J to F.
Dec 25, 2023 | 4:46 am
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 21,005
Dec 25, 2023 | 7:20 am
#239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,482
Nothing to do with NH at all, not possible for any *A upgrade. Some thing with awards, not available for PE
Dec 25, 2023 | 7:31 am
#240
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 21,005