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
Mar 2, 2023 | 4:54 am
#76
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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For the past month I've confirmed that my uncleared upgrades, flight changes, and even reissued tickets (had a flight where United reissued 3 times and I had to upgrade 3 times) are not being refunded.
The 1K desk hasn't been able to help me and I haven't heard back from mileage plus at all.
From the upgrade redemption receipt the confirmation number is the ANA confirmation and not United. I wonder if this is related to the issue.
If anyone had these situations definitely check your accounts.
The 1K desk hasn't been able to help me and I haven't heard back from mileage plus at all.
From the upgrade redemption receipt the confirmation number is the ANA confirmation and not United. I wonder if this is related to the issue.
If anyone had these situations definitely check your accounts.
If this happens ... send in a DOT complaint. IME this is the only way UA will fix these issues. These should come back automatically and they simply don't ... many customers who are not aware of these issues are currently getting scammed by UA.
Mar 3, 2023 | 6:24 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: ORD, MCO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 293
For the past month I've confirmed that my uncleared upgrades, flight changes, and even reissued tickets (had a flight where United reissued 3 times and I had to upgrade 3 times) are not being refunded.
The 1K desk hasn't been able to help me and I haven't heard back from mileage plus at all.
From the upgrade redemption receipt the confirmation number is the ANA confirmation and not United. I wonder if this is related to the issue.
If anyone had these situations definitely check your accounts.
The 1K desk hasn't been able to help me and I haven't heard back from mileage plus at all.
From the upgrade redemption receipt the confirmation number is the ANA confirmation and not United. I wonder if this is related to the issue.
If anyone had these situations definitely check your accounts.
Mar 3, 2023 | 7:59 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
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not only is that not the experience ... it should not require a call in the first place. UA knows whether these have cleared or not.
Mar 21, 2023 | 2:25 pm
#79
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NJ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4
No waitlist for 2nd leg: EWR-HND-SGN
I am trying to apply pluspoint on my upcoming trip: EWR-HND-SGN (booked through united.com). Called 1K hotline and got the 2nd leg (HND-SGN) flipped to native NH # from codeshare. I see the option to waitlist the 1st leg but there is no even waitlist option for the 2nd leg. This is my first time ever to upgrade NH flight using pluspoint. Any idea what I did wrong? It's class U for both legs, btw.
Mar 21, 2023 | 2:31 pm
#80
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Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
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I am trying to apply pluspoint on my upcoming trip: EWR-HND-SGN (booked through united.com). Called 1K hotline and got the 2nd leg (HND-SGN) flipped to native NH # from codeshare. I see the option to waitlist the 1st leg but there is no even waitlist option for the 2nd leg. This is my first time ever to upgrade NH flight using pluspoint. Any idea what I did wrong? It's class U for both legs, btw.
follow the instructions on this page. That includes filling out the request form on this page.
Last edited by Xyzzy; Mar 21, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Mar 22, 2023 | 9:01 pm
#81
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NJ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4
Xyzzy This info is super helpful! Big thanks!
Unfortunately, the request form kept telling me that We have found more than one reservation that matches the traveler information you provided.
I left the ticket number field blank as per some of the previous threads suggested. Any idea why I got this error message?
Unfortunately, the request form kept telling me that We have found more than one reservation that matches the traveler information you provided.
I left the ticket number field blank as per some of the previous threads suggested. Any idea why I got this error message?
Mar 22, 2023 | 11:04 pm
#82
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,602
Currently booked through UA, HNL-NRT operated by ANA, UA flight #, UA R class.
Is this correct in order to request PP upgrade for ANA flight?
1) Find out what the upfare is to eligible Premium Economy fare class (what is ANA's minimum fare class for PE to J?). If price reasonable, do it.
2) Call UA and ask to swap in NH native flight number
3) Use link in post #384 above to request upgrade
4) Cross fingers
Is this correct in order to request PP upgrade for ANA flight?
1) Find out what the upfare is to eligible Premium Economy fare class (what is ANA's minimum fare class for PE to J?). If price reasonable, do it.
2) Call UA and ask to swap in NH native flight number
3) Use link in post #384 above to request upgrade
4) Cross fingers
Mar 22, 2023 | 11:07 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,729
Xyzzy This info is super helpful! Big thanks!
Unfortunately, the request form kept telling me that We have found more than one reservation that matches the traveler information you provided.
I left the ticket number field blank as per some of the previous threads suggested. Any idea why I got this error message?
Unfortunately, the request form kept telling me that We have found more than one reservation that matches the traveler information you provided.
I left the ticket number field blank as per some of the previous threads suggested. Any idea why I got this error message?
t seen the above errors in my tries at PP upgrades on NH. Let us know what you find out!
Mar 23, 2023 | 1:27 am
#84
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,121
Currently booked through UA, HNL-NRT operated by ANA, UA flight #, UA R class.
Is this correct in order to request PP upgrade for ANA flight?
1) Find out what the upfare is to eligible Premium Economy fare class (what is ANA's minimum fare class for PE to J?). If price reasonable, do it.
2) Call UA and ask to swap in NH native flight number
3) Use link in post #384 above to request upgrade
4) Cross fingers
Is this correct in order to request PP upgrade for ANA flight?
1) Find out what the upfare is to eligible Premium Economy fare class (what is ANA's minimum fare class for PE to J?). If price reasonable, do it.
2) Call UA and ask to swap in NH native flight number
3) Use link in post #384 above to request upgrade
4) Cross fingers
Mar 23, 2023 | 11:32 am
#85
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
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Mar 28, 2023 | 5:19 pm
#86
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
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Posts: 37,482
Booked a Z-class ticket today for BOS-ORD-HND-ORD-BOS ... boy are these expensive 
Even with a 'small' corporate discount still > $10k
Called to convert flight numbers. Took a whopping 40 mins to get it done, but was successful. Had to remind them in the beginning that Z is upgradable for NH, but no issue thereafter.
Added +Ps once re-issued and was waitlisted. Right now F7 ... keeping my fingers crossed
Even with a 'small' corporate discount still > $10kCalled to convert flight numbers. Took a whopping 40 mins to get it done, but was successful. Had to remind them in the beginning that Z is upgradable for NH, but no issue thereafter.
Added +Ps once re-issued and was waitlisted. Right now F7 ... keeping my fingers crossed
Mar 29, 2023 | 5:54 pm
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,729
The UA page for PlusPoint upgrades on NH shows Z is not upgradeable. nly tickets in these fare classes can have PP applied: B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U, Y
nly tickets in these fare classes can have PP applied: B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U, Y
Mar 29, 2023 | 6:48 pm
#90
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 173
Just now, I noticed my waitlisted ANA flight on my united account was removed (next Thursday flight), so I checked the ANA website and could not find the previous notes of "waitlisted". Called 1K but was told to ask ANA directly for the Pluspoints return. It seems not usual to be removed from ANA's waitlist one week earlier. Shall I call ANA?