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
Jul 21, 2025 | 5:20 am
#436
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 611
I'm having the same issue.
I'm booked on NH806 in E on July 27. When selecting Economy it says "The cabin you selected does not match the cabin indicated in the reservation." and when I select Business it says "We have experienced a technical problem."
I'm booked on NH806 in E on July 27. When selecting Economy it says "The cabin you selected does not match the cabin indicated in the reservation." and when I select Business it says "We have experienced a technical problem."
Jul 21, 2025 | 6:43 am
#437
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 174
My suggestion is to contact United. If enough of us keep complaining, maybe they will figure it out eventually.
Jul 28, 2025 | 7:51 am
#439
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 26
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes beforetrying to request again. lf youhave received this errorpreviously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canadaelsewhere call your locaCustomer Contact Center.
I keep having issues when trying to upgrade an ANA flight. Can anyone check if it's the same with other airlines, like LH? I know this has been an issue for a while, but I’ve never figured out how to resolve it.
Please wait 15 minutes beforetrying to request again. lf youhave received this errorpreviously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canadaelsewhere call your locaCustomer Contact Center.
I keep having issues when trying to upgrade an ANA flight. Can anyone check if it's the same with other airlines, like LH? I know this has been an issue for a while, but I’ve never figured out how to resolve it.
Jul 28, 2025 | 2:09 pm
#440
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 128
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes beforetrying to request again. lf youhave received this errorpreviously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canadaelsewhere call your locaCustomer Contact Center.
I keep having issues when trying to upgrade an ANA flight. Can anyone check if it's the same with other airlines, like LH? I know this has been an issue for a while, but Ive never figured out how to resolve it.
Please wait 15 minutes beforetrying to request again. lf youhave received this errorpreviously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canadaelsewhere call your locaCustomer Contact Center.
I keep having issues when trying to upgrade an ANA flight. Can anyone check if it's the same with other airlines, like LH? I know this has been an issue for a while, but Ive never figured out how to resolve it.
Jul 28, 2025 | 6:47 pm
#441
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 26
We cannot process your request.
Jul 29, 2025 | 3:09 am
#442
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 26
This way does not work. I tried to upgrade it latter. No difference. The web is down. Because the error is the same when I fill wrong info. It means the web is not checking/seaching.
Jul 29, 2025 | 11:41 am
#443
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 174
"Request a PlusPoints Upgrade Award
The cabin you selected does not match the cabin indicated in the reservation.
Please check the cabin and try again."I have been stuck there for weeks now and calling United does not accomplish anything. They are either uninterested or incapable...
Jul 29, 2025 | 1:02 pm
#444
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
I hate to break it to you but even if you get past this error message, next you will most likely have to deal with this one;
I have been stuck there for weeks now and calling United does not accomplish anything. They are either uninterested or incapable...
"Request a PlusPoints Upgrade Award
The cabin you selected does not match the cabin indicated in the reservation.
Please check the cabin and try again."I have been stuck there for weeks now and calling United does not accomplish anything. They are either uninterested or incapable...
Jul 29, 2025 | 7:28 pm
#445
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 26
I hate to break it to you but even if you get past this error message, next you will most likely have to deal with this one;
I have been stuck there for weeks now and calling United does not accomplish anything. They are either uninterested or incapable...
"Request a PlusPoints Upgrade Award
The cabin you selected does not match the cabin indicated in the reservation.
Please check the cabin and try again."I have been stuck there for weeks now and calling United does not accomplish anything. They are either uninterested or incapable...
Jul 29, 2025 | 8:31 pm
#447
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 1,022
Hi all, I've been having the same issue trying for NH159 on 10/15 and NH160 on 10/19 to upgrade from J to F. Keeps giving me this message:
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes before trying to request again. lf you have received this error previously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canada elsewhere call your local Customer Contact Center.
Any idea when this will get resolved???
Thank you,
GT
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes before trying to request again. lf you have received this error previously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canada elsewhere call your local Customer Contact Center.
Any idea when this will get resolved???
Thank you,
GT
Jul 29, 2025 | 8:43 pm
#448
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 26
Hi all, I've been having the same issue trying for NH159 on 10/15 and NH160 on 10/19 to upgrade from J to F. Keeps giving me this message:
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes before trying to request again. lf you have received this error previously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canada elsewhere call your local Customer Contact Center.
Any idea when this will get resolved???
Thank you,
GT
We cannot process your request.
Please wait 15 minutes before trying to request again. lf you have received this error previously, please call 1-800.UNITED-1(1-800-864-8331)within the U.S.or Canada elsewhere call your local Customer Contact Center.
Any idea when this will get resolved???
Thank you,
GT
Jul 29, 2025 | 9:02 pm
#449
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, AA Platinum
Posts: 1,022
Ive been repeatedly submitting complaints through the official website（help-customer care-complait）, hoping they will see the messages and fix the issue. You can call them and ask to be transferred to web support. They will pass the issue on to the IT department. The more people report the issue, the faster theyll fix it.
GT