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
Jun 21, 2023 | 2:04 am
#121
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,344
Really dumb question: Does Status:OK for Business Class I below mean the upgrade has cleared? ANA still shows a duplicate segment. Is that how it is supposed to be? And when I pull up my reservation on ANA it says "Since you have a duplicate reservation, this reservation can only be viewed. Please contact the travel agency through which the reservation was made to change your reservation and register your information. For ANA-operated flights, Online Check-in service is available from 24 hours before the departure time.(W_S01P04_0023)"
I still can't select a seat for either flight in either coach or business.
I still can't select a seat for either flight in either coach or business.
Jun 21, 2023 | 4:47 am
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
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yeah, looks like this needs to be cleaned up. I'd call NH and inquire. Usually the OK means it has cleared and the 'duplicate' indicates the same. Unusual that it does have both listed ... I would get it fixed
Jun 30, 2023 | 12:56 pm
#123
Join Date: May 2022
Programs: United
Posts: 7
Hey everyone! Looking to book a flight for me and a +1 on ANA from SEA to HND in a few months and ideally get an upgrade to the Room each way (meaning I'd stop through SFO). I've been reading through and wanted some advice on the best option here as I look to buy economy tickets (ideally not looking to spend >$3k pp round trip).
So Step 1 is to book on United in one of the required fare classes (B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U and Y). Currently the cheapest economy requested fare class I can get is U and that's looking to be $3k round trip per person. Meanwhile premium economy on ANA is looking to be in the $2500 range (Fare class R - which according to earlier comments needs to be up-fared. I'm not presented with the option to book O or A when I search on United's site). At the moment I'm seeing >75% availability in business on the flight but there's no availability at this time for an upgrade/award ticket and I'm going to be waitlisted.
Should I 1) book premium economy and get the fare into a higher class so that, at minimum, we have a comfy flight each way on ANA (upgrade or not)? 2) Pay a little extra for the economy fare and hope everything works out by using PP on ANA? 3) save 3 hours and just go direct from SEA to HND in economy (which will also be cheaper overall) on ANA or 4) try to get upgraded to Polaris out of SFO (which will also be a cheaper option)?
So Step 1 is to book on United in one of the required fare classes (B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U and Y). Currently the cheapest economy requested fare class I can get is U and that's looking to be $3k round trip per person. Meanwhile premium economy on ANA is looking to be in the $2500 range (Fare class R - which according to earlier comments needs to be up-fared. I'm not presented with the option to book O or A when I search on United's site). At the moment I'm seeing >75% availability in business on the flight but there's no availability at this time for an upgrade/award ticket and I'm going to be waitlisted.
Should I 1) book premium economy and get the fare into a higher class so that, at minimum, we have a comfy flight each way on ANA (upgrade or not)? 2) Pay a little extra for the economy fare and hope everything works out by using PP on ANA? 3) save 3 hours and just go direct from SEA to HND in economy (which will also be cheaper overall) on ANA or 4) try to get upgraded to Polaris out of SFO (which will also be a cheaper option)?
Jun 30, 2023 | 1:07 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,472
Hey everyone! Looking to book a flight for me and a +1 on ANA from SEA to HND in a few months and ideally get an upgrade to the Room each way (meaning I'd stop through SFO). I've been reading through and wanted some advice on the best option here as I look to buy economy tickets (ideally not looking to spend >$3k pp round trip).
So Step 1 is to book on United in one of the required fare classes (B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U and Y). Currently the cheapest economy requested fare class I can get is U and that's looking to be $3k round trip per person. Meanwhile premium economy on ANA is looking to be in the $2500 range (Fare class R - which according to earlier comments needs to be up-fared. I'm not presented with the option to book O or A when I search on United's site). At the moment I'm seeing >75% availability in business on the flight but there's no availability at this time for an upgrade/award ticket and I'm going to be waitlisted.
Should I 1) book premium economy and get the fare into a higher class so that, at minimum, we have a comfy flight each way on ANA (upgrade or not)? 2) Pay a little extra for the economy fare and hope everything works out by using PP on ANA? 3) save 3 hours and just go direct from SEA to HND in economy (which will also be cheaper overall) on ANA or 4) try to get upgraded to Polaris out of SFO (which will also be a cheaper option)?
So Step 1 is to book on United in one of the required fare classes (B, C, D, E, G, J, M, U and Y). Currently the cheapest economy requested fare class I can get is U and that's looking to be $3k round trip per person. Meanwhile premium economy on ANA is looking to be in the $2500 range (Fare class R - which according to earlier comments needs to be up-fared. I'm not presented with the option to book O or A when I search on United's site). At the moment I'm seeing >75% availability in business on the flight but there's no availability at this time for an upgrade/award ticket and I'm going to be waitlisted.
Should I 1) book premium economy and get the fare into a higher class so that, at minimum, we have a comfy flight each way on ANA (upgrade or not)? 2) Pay a little extra for the economy fare and hope everything works out by using PP on ANA? 3) save 3 hours and just go direct from SEA to HND in economy (which will also be cheaper overall) on ANA or 4) try to get upgraded to Polaris out of SFO (which will also be a cheaper option)?
How do you see >75% availability
- you can't use the seat map to judge that ...Waitlisting an UG is always risky. I have great luck w/ NH upgrades, but it is a gamble. From prem exco your changes are of course much higher
Jun 30, 2023 | 1:39 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2022
Programs: United
Posts: 7
You can specify the fare class on united.com ...
How do you see >75% availability - you can't use the seat map to judge that ...
Waitlisting an UG is always risky. I have great luck w/ NH upgrades, but it is a gamble. From prem exco your changes are of course much higher
How do you see >75% availability
- you can't use the seat map to judge that ...Waitlisting an UG is always risky. I have great luck w/ NH upgrades, but it is a gamble. From prem exco your changes are of course much higher
Sorry - 75% of seats have not yet been claimed according to the seat map.
Jun 30, 2023 | 4:09 pm
#126
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Posts: 37,472
I've been specifying O and A class in the search but they're not available. I'm only shown R for premium economy on the flight I want (NH 107). Would PP still work if I can call the premier 1k line and get them to change it O or A?
Sorry - 75% of seats have not yet been claimed according to the seat map.
Sorry - 75% of seats have not yet been claimed according to the seat map.
Jul 1, 2023 | 7:27 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2023
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 66
Can anyone clarify if its possible to upgrade to J from PY if I book ANA via United with points or points + cash like United PZ?
Last edited by PathSelector; Jul 1, 2023 at 8:21 am
Jul 1, 2023 | 1:03 pm
#128
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,175
It may be possible to call UA to convert the UA codeshare to NH native flight is the appropriate fare class is still available. Best done immediately after purchase.
Jul 1, 2023 | 3:19 pm
#129
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Jul 1, 2023 | 7:21 pm
#130
Join Date: May 2022
Programs: United
Posts: 7
I figured it out. I needed to change the origin from SEA to SFO and the search worked!
Jul 5, 2023 | 4:21 pm
#131
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 1
Really dumb question: Does Status:OK for Business Class I below mean the upgrade has cleared? ANA still shows a duplicate segment. Is that how it is supposed to be? And when I pull up my reservation on ANA it says "Since you have a duplicate reservation, this reservation can only be viewed. Please contact the travel agency through which the reservation was made to change your reservation and register your information. For ANA-operated flights, Online Check-in service is available from 24 hours before the departure time.(W_S01P04_0023)"
I still can't select a seat for either flight in either coach or business.
I still can't select a seat for either flight in either coach or business.
Jul 5, 2023 | 4:49 pm
#132
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Sonoma, CA
Programs: United 1K UA, MM *G for life
Posts: 19
Jul 11, 2023 | 6:34 am
#133
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: United, BA
Posts: 7
Using PlusPoints on NH/ANA: Looking for advice
Has anyone had any success booking on NH, economy face code H class, and being able to use PlusPoints to upgrade to business? On the ANA website, it seems to suggest that this is a fare that can be upgraded to Business, but presumably they are referring to upgrading using ANA miles.
Jul 11, 2023 | 11:53 am
#134
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,729
Has anyone had any success booking on NH, economy face code H class, and being able to use PlusPoints to upgrade to business? On the ANA website, it seems to suggest that this is a fare that can be upgraded to Business, but presumably they are referring to upgrading using ANA miles.
Jul 11, 2023 | 1:50 pm
#135
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Has anyone had any success booking on NH, economy face code H class, and being able to use PlusPoints to upgrade to business? On the ANA website, it seems to suggest that this is a fare that can be upgraded to Business, but presumably they are referring to upgrading using ANA miles.
mplete list of fare classes that allow for this is here. As someone else pointed out, H is not among them.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 11, 2023 at 2:33 pm Reason: repaired link, eligible fare class are in the wiki also
