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 15, 2024 | 10:17 am
#331
Join Date: Oct 2024
Programs: UA
Posts: 6
Unfortunately still getting the same errors (PlusPoints award):
The flight is booked in Z so it should be upgradeable and NH is referring me back to UA and UA is unable to do anything that is not online...I agree these are first world problems (business -> first) but still, the process is what is frustrating given there is no one truly trying to resolve it.
Please contact the source where you booked the ticket.
and Star Alliance Upgrade Award:The flight segment you are trying to upgrade has not been ticketed.
The flight is booked in Z so it should be upgradeable and NH is referring me back to UA and UA is unable to do anything that is not online...I agree these are first world problems (business -> first) but still, the process is what is frustrating given there is no one truly trying to resolve it.
Oct 15, 2024 | 2:27 pm
#332
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,498
Unfortunately still getting the same errors (PlusPoints award):
The flight is booked in Z so it should be upgradeable and NH is referring me back to UA and UA is unable to do anything that is not online...I agree these are first world problems (business -> first) but still, the process is what is frustrating given there is no one truly trying to resolve it.
Please contact the source where you booked the ticket.
and Star Alliance Upgrade Award:The flight segment you are trying to upgrade has not been ticketed.
The flight is booked in Z so it should be upgradeable and NH is referring me back to UA and UA is unable to do anything that is not online...I agree these are first world problems (business -> first) but still, the process is what is frustrating given there is no one truly trying to resolve it.
Can you ask NH to re-issue the ticket?
Oct 17, 2024 | 8:06 am
#334
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PVG
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 331
Help! I've been trying for the last half year to upgrade two friends using PlusPoints or miles. I have tried every combination of:
FirstName
LastName1 LastName2 (they are Spanish so have two last names, and they purchased it this way)
with and without ticket number
FirstName
LastName1
with and without ticket number
First Name
LastName2
with and without ticket number
The only inputs that lead to the system "finding" the reservation are:
FirstName
LastName1 LastName2
with and without ticket number (doesn't seem to matter, they both lead to the following page)
I click on the purple "Add to Waitlist" button, and then EVERY TIME for it leads to this screen:
When I try Star Alliance Upgrade Award it leads to this page:
They are ticketed in ANA E class, bought directly through ANA with NH flight numbers.
I called United 1K desk and they said this was completely normal behavior, and just to keep trying and trying. Which I do, now every day! *Something* is happening because in my account I see that 40+40 PlusPoints are deducted, and then 40+40 points are redeposited. And then I read on this forum that people do have success getting put on the waitlist.
I've been trying for half a year now with the system, and called several times - the response is this is normal behavior for the system. Now their outbound flight has already passed, and I'm still trying to upgrade the return flight, which is within 14 days.
Is it because I'm trying to upgrade 2 passengers? Are 2 passengers not allowed to waitlist? Just trying to understand what I might be doing wrong!
Any ideas??
FirstName
LastName1 LastName2 (they are Spanish so have two last names, and they purchased it this way)
with and without ticket number
FirstName
LastName1
with and without ticket number
First Name
LastName2
with and without ticket number
The only inputs that lead to the system "finding" the reservation are:
FirstName
LastName1 LastName2
with and without ticket number (doesn't seem to matter, they both lead to the following page)
I click on the purple "Add to Waitlist" button, and then EVERY TIME for it leads to this screen:
When I try Star Alliance Upgrade Award it leads to this page:
They are ticketed in ANA E class, bought directly through ANA with NH flight numbers.
I called United 1K desk and they said this was completely normal behavior, and just to keep trying and trying. Which I do, now every day! *Something* is happening because in my account I see that 40+40 PlusPoints are deducted, and then 40+40 points are redeposited. And then I read on this forum that people do have success getting put on the waitlist.
I've been trying for half a year now with the system, and called several times - the response is this is normal behavior for the system. Now their outbound flight has already passed, and I'm still trying to upgrade the return flight, which is within 14 days.
Is it because I'm trying to upgrade 2 passengers? Are 2 passengers not allowed to waitlist? Just trying to understand what I might be doing wrong!
Any ideas??
Oct 17, 2024 | 3:49 pm
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,498
There is something whacky going on with NH right now. Maybe the WL function is broken? This is not normal behavior. Your first screen is normal - then it just add to the WL, but that is apparently not happening. Looks like an issue on the NH side or on the UA-NH connection piece.
Oct 17, 2024 | 3:53 pm
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,604
There is something whacky going on with NH right now. Maybe the WL function is broken? This is not normal behavior. Your first screen is normal - then it just add to the WL, but that is apparently not happening. Looks like an issue on the NH side or on the UA-NH connection piece.
Oct 17, 2024 | 10:17 pm
#337
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,276
Hi I am booked on a NH flight from KUL to NRT on a 016 ticket stock. I called UA 1K line to use PP for an upgrade from Premium Economy to business. The 1K agent said that it's not upgradeable. After examining my tickets, I notice that the fare class is N and only G and E are upgradable. For some reason, the 1K agent just told me to call ANA when the ticket stock 016 and I am trying to use PP. There are at least 5 J seats left in the business class for this flight. Would it be wise to pay an up-charge to G fare class and attempt to apply PP. I don't know the price for the up faring since I have not called UA back. I don't want to pay the upcharge and the upgrade does not go through. The 1K agent did mention that no one is on the upgrade waitlist for my flight.
Oct 17, 2024 | 11:24 pm
#338
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PVG
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 331
There is something whacky going on with NH right now. Maybe the WL function is broken? This is not normal behavior. Your first screen is normal - then it just add to the WL, but that is apparently not happening. Looks like an issue on the NH side or on the UA-NH connection piece.
!) of this year this was already happening. And then I called and reached a very experienced 1K agent who said that back in the day, when they themselves processed the upgrade requests, that the responses would be 1) upgrade confirmed, 2) upgrade waitlisted, 3) this technical error. Which is why she said it is expected behavior.So from February until now I've been trying about 1-2 times per week, all with the same response. And now I'm trying every day and still the same...
Oct 17, 2024 | 11:45 pm
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,604
Hi I am booked on a NH flight from KUL to NRT on a 016 ticket stock. I called UA 1K line to use PP for an upgrade from Premium Economy to business. The 1K agent said that it's not upgradeable. After examining my tickets, I notice that the fare class is N and only G and E are upgradable. For some reason, the 1K agent just told me to call ANA when the ticket stock 016 and I am trying to use PP. There are at least 5 J seats left in the business class for this flight. Would it be wise to pay an up-charge to G fare class and attempt to apply PP. I don't know the price for the up faring since I have not called UA back. I don't want to pay the upcharge and the upgrade does not go through. The 1K agent did mention that no one is on the upgrade waitlist for my flight.
Oct 20, 2024 | 8:05 pm
#340
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 19
NH PlusPoints Upgrades are a joke
Outbound ORD-HND booked ANA business and applied PP to get on the waitlist. 24 hours before the flight the upgrade canceled out with F2 available (and flight left with 2 F seats empty).
Return flight a week later same story - F3 available at 24 hours and the waitlist cancels. 3 F seats went out empty.
Not worth going out of my way to book NH and deal with converting UA flight numbers etc when the only way to get confirmed is the flight being F4 (at least) or more at 24 hours before departure.
Return flight a week later same story - F3 available at 24 hours and the waitlist cancels. 3 F seats went out empty.
Not worth going out of my way to book NH and deal with converting UA flight numbers etc when the only way to get confirmed is the flight being F4 (at least) or more at 24 hours before departure.
Oct 21, 2024 | 7:22 am
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,498
they do seem to cancel 24 hours prior. A shame that happened with F3. I have been successful in similar situations.
Right now there also seems to be an IT issue w/ UA/NH. Reports also from the NH end that UA upgrades are not working.
Right now there also seems to be an IT issue w/ UA/NH. Reports also from the NH end that UA upgrades are not working.
Oct 30, 2024 | 8:43 pm
#342
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 3,174
Last edited by ani90; Oct 30, 2024 at 8:55 pm
Nov 3, 2024 | 8:58 am
#343
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 7,190
Changing reservation number from UA's codeshare to ANA's native - procedure?
Hello everyone,
Here is the situation - my wife has a reservation booked on UA's site that is with ANA and has UA's codeshare 4 digit number. She wants to use Pluspoints to upgrade it to business and I did read on this forum that it takes 40 points and can be done only if in the reservation there is narive AHA's number.
At this moment she is at SFO waiting for her outgoing flight to ICN (the return flight is with ANA several weeks later). She went to UA's service desk at T3 and:
- They told her that service desk does not handle such requests
- They gave her a card with QR code to scan to speak with agent
- The agent told her that changing reservation number to ANA's number is not possible.
What can be done now, if any and what would be the most efficient way to do this?
Here is the situation - my wife has a reservation booked on UA's site that is with ANA and has UA's codeshare 4 digit number. She wants to use Pluspoints to upgrade it to business and I did read on this forum that it takes 40 points and can be done only if in the reservation there is narive AHA's number.
At this moment she is at SFO waiting for her outgoing flight to ICN (the return flight is with ANA several weeks later). She went to UA's service desk at T3 and:
- They told her that service desk does not handle such requests
- They gave her a card with QR code to scan to speak with agent
- The agent told her that changing reservation number to ANA's number is not possible.
What can be done now, if any and what would be the most efficient way to do this?
Nov 3, 2024 | 9:00 am
#345
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,498
She needs to call the 1K line or another reservation line. This requires more experienced agents and a supervisor in the end to make it happen.
If she is already at the airport and taking the outbound flight - this will not get any easier. Best is to wait till the outbound in complete and then call in to make the change. Generally not recommended to doing this mid-itinerary, but it 'should work'.
Good luck. Btw, the reservation number does not change - the flight number will change
Also, make sure the booking class is eligible for +P upgrades
If she is already at the airport and taking the outbound flight - this will not get any easier. Best is to wait till the outbound in complete and then call in to make the change. Generally not recommended to doing this mid-itinerary, but it 'should work'.
Good luck. Btw, the reservation number does not change - the flight number will change
Also, make sure the booking class is eligible for +P upgrades