Jan 21, 2017, 10:27 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA will generally offer cash upgrades from any non-Basic Economy fare for UA operated flights, these can be offered:
- At the time of purchase
- Before travel in the itinerary view
- At check-in (computer, smartphone, airport)
- You can inquire with an agent anytime (including at the gate)
The price can vary, as it appears multiple processes are used -- occasionally yielding strangely high offers. Always cross-check on what the fare difference (up fare) might be and consider insteadBuy up to higher fare class w/o change fee? {GG BUYUP}
Awards tickets may be offered similar cash upgrade but generally only at check-in (Aug 2022 update, frequent reports of award ticket cash upgrade offers; at booking, after booking and check-in. Unclear under what conditions.
For Check-in offers, these can vary post initial check-in, so check back closer to departure.
Such upgrades will be eligible for all the benefits of a premium cabin ticket, UA makes no distinction on how a passenger premium cabin ticket was obtained.
Generally, fees for upgrades are non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel. If UA cancels or fails to provide the upgrade, the fees will be refunded. On voluntary changes, the agent may transfer to the changes flight but that is not standard policy.
True up-fares (ADD/COLLECT) are transferable if the appropriate inventory space is available.
Fees paid for upgrades now {2020) earn PQPs
Will the upgrade earn PQDs or bonus PQMs see the wiki of Some Paid Upgrades Count Towards PQD & mileage bonus and some DON"T!
On how pricing is structured, see A Comprehensive Look at Domestic First Class Monetization (FCM) on United
Previous Threads:
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
2016 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2015 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2014 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2013 "Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU)" Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
- At the time of purchase
- Before travel in the itinerary view
- At check-in (computer, smartphone, airport)
- You can inquire with an agent anytime (including at the gate)
The price can vary, as it appears multiple processes are used -- occasionally yielding strangely high offers. Always cross-check on what the fare difference (up fare) might be and consider instead
Awards tickets may be offered similar cash upgrade but generally only at check-in (Aug 2022 update, frequent reports of award ticket cash upgrade offers; at booking, after booking and check-in. Unclear under what conditions.
For Check-in offers, these can vary post initial check-in, so check back closer to departure.
Such upgrades will be eligible for all the benefits of a premium cabin ticket, UA makes no distinction on how a passenger premium cabin ticket was obtained.
Generally, fees for upgrades are non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel. If UA cancels or fails to provide the upgrade, the fees will be refunded. On voluntary changes, the agent may transfer to the changes flight but that is not standard policy.
True up-fares (ADD/COLLECT) are transferable if the appropriate inventory space is available.
Fees paid for upgrades now {2020) earn PQPs
On how pricing is structured, see A Comprehensive Look at Domestic First Class Monetization (FCM) on United
Previous Threads:
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
2016 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2015 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2014 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2013 "Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU)" Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase to Day of Departure (TOD)
Apr 13, 2024, 9:36 pm
#781
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,731
I found the wiki to be a bit hard to follow since there are so many strike outs?
If I have to buy Economy for work, and I want to upgrade to F (or PE) and want to get miles and PQP, and be able to change flights. Do all the upgrade paths get that or do I need to call in and change the class- and are their ‘magic words’ I need to say to the agent to make sure that I’m getting everything.
If I have to buy Economy for work, and I want to upgrade to F (or PE) and want to get miles and PQP, and be able to change flights. Do all the upgrade paths get that or do I need to call in and change the class- and are their ‘magic words’ I need to say to the agent to make sure that I’m getting everything.
Only way to get miles is to up-fare. Change the ticket to the new fare.
Yesterday, 10:54 am
#782
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,189
Semi-hypothetical question from a buyup newbie: Let's say I've already purchased a coach fare on a UA flight for $600. Some time later I buyup to Premium Plus for another $349. Then day of flight I'm offered a buyup to Polaris for, let's say, $4000. Would I be dinged the full $4000 on top of the $349 PP upgrade already paid?
Or would the $349 be applied to the Polaris buyup, such that my additional cost for the Polaris buyup would be $3651? If so, would that happen at time of purchase, or would I pay the full $4000 and the $349 would be refunded sometime after the flight?
Or would the $349 be applied to the Polaris buyup, such that my additional cost for the Polaris buyup would be $3651? If so, would that happen at time of purchase, or would I pay the full $4000 and the $349 would be refunded sometime after the flight?
Yesterday, 1:31 pm
#783
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 477
Hi Guys,
Two days ago I purchased a one way Y ticket through work OTA on work credit card.
Earlier this morning, I paid $200 on my personal credit card to up fare from Y to P for this 3 leg domestic itinerary.
Unfortunately, I just found out that I now have to attend a funeral for a police offer who suffered a line of duty death and won't be taking this trip at all.
The original Y booking (on company card) was refundable ticket.
Is there anyway to recoup my $200 I spent this morning?
I really don't care that much about it to be honest, but I figure it was worth a post here.
Thanks!
Two days ago I purchased a one way Y ticket through work OTA on work credit card.
Earlier this morning, I paid $200 on my personal credit card to up fare from Y to P for this 3 leg domestic itinerary.
Unfortunately, I just found out that I now have to attend a funeral for a police offer who suffered a line of duty death and won't be taking this trip at all.
The original Y booking (on company card) was refundable ticket.
Is there anyway to recoup my $200 I spent this morning?
I really don't care that much about it to be honest, but I figure it was worth a post here.
Thanks!
Yesterday, 3:11 pm
#784
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,731
...
Two days ago I purchased a one way Y ticket through work OTA on work credit card.
Earlier this morning, I paid $200 on my personal credit card to up fare from Y to P for this 3 leg domestic itinerary.
...
The original Y booking (on company card) was refundable ticket.
Is there anyway to recoup my $200 I spent this morning? ...
Two days ago I purchased a one way Y ticket through work OTA on work credit card.
Earlier this morning, I paid $200 on my personal credit card to up fare from Y to P for this 3 leg domestic itinerary.
...
The original Y booking (on company card) was refundable ticket.
Is there anyway to recoup my $200 I spent this morning? ...
If a GS or other high elite, you may be able to get a agent to re-use the $200 for another PCU. On rare occasions refunds have been offered, so appears the phone agent has some discretion --- but the published policy is no refunds on voluntary changes.
Yesterday, 5:45 pm
#785
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 477
The PCUs (cash upgrade) are clearly marked as non-refundable for voluntary changes. The fact the base fare was refundable does not change that.
If a GS or other high elite, you may be able to get a agent to re-use the $200 for another PCU. On rare occasions refunds have been offered, so appears the phone agent has some discretion --- but the published policy is no refunds on voluntary changes.
If a GS or other high elite, you may be able to get a agent to re-use the $200 for another PCU. On rare occasions refunds have been offered, so appears the phone agent has some discretion --- but the published policy is no refunds on voluntary changes.
I appreciate the insight.
Yesterday, 6:58 pm
#786
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,731
Thanks Wine. Does it make a difference if I went through the "Change Flight" dialogue and manually entered P fare class vs doing PCU? I was under the impression those were two different things (sometimes I see different prices and "change flight" is often cheaper for me than PCU...?) but perhaps I am wrong.
I appreciate the insight.
I appreciate the insight.
It is very likely you up-fared to a non-refundable fare, made the entire ticket / fare nonrefundable. Did it say refundable at the upfare purchase. Change ticket is know for this little unseen changes. What does the endorsement line on the ticket state..
If non=refundable, on cancellation you will receive a single FFC for the combined amount
Your corporate TA may be upset with this.
If a corporate credit card was used to purchased the original ticket, They may ask for you to payback that original purchase price which will now be in your name.
