ObieGrad

Booked on EWR->HNL on 5/27. First class cabin has 13 seats open on the chart, expert mode says J8. I don't have any status.

I booked a refundable B fare that priced about $200 more than the cheapest available refundable fare in order to apply for a miles upgrade without the co-pay. This seemed to be a good deal since the difference was about the same as the cost of Economy Plus (which I planned to buy anyway) and the B fare included it.

Right now the cash buy up to first is $1,550 which is too high. If United lowers the buy up price will the price be different depending on the fare class purchased? In other words, if a non-refundable lower-fare class economy fare is available, would I get the same buy up price if I cancelled my B fare for a refund, purchased the cheapest available (non BE fare) and then paid for a cash upgrade?

UAFAM

Short answer: your chance of being upgraded with miles co pay or plus points is NONE
The assigned AC has 34J (retrofitted), 25 seats are sold, currently there are 20 pax waitlisted for upgrade, if you must sit up front, then you need to pay whatever UA is asking for upgrade.
Best Advise: Grab that 18F, since this AC is equipped with premium economy cabin, and most likely you will end up sitting in premium economy (purple seats) cabin w/o paying for it, but keep an eye within the next 2-3 days for an email stating seating config swap, first 4 rows will be prem eco 2 2 2.

Kacee

Can't predict. UA sometimes prices the upgrade based on the price to upgrade your ticket, and sometimes it's calculated based on the the underlying fare differential, without regard to your specific fare.

ObieGrad

Thanks! The upgrade list isn't available for the flight yet on United's site. Is there a way to see it?

In any case do you think 18 K/L will be treated the same as 18F?

Kacee

With no status, I'm afraid there's no chance for an upgrade on this route. Within a week of departure, you should be able to see the list on the website's flight status page through the change the date trick.

UAFAM

Those are even better, but still keep an eye on email/text from UA regarding seat map swap (I usually get them around 4 am), system may not automatically re-assign you to Prem Eco rows, so you need to be proactive and may need to call UA to get re-assigned to those seats.

ObieGrad

Thanks - changed the date and yeah... not getting upgraded. This is super helpful info though I'll keep an eye on this.

canadiancow

I bought a couple upgrades at time of purchase for SFO-ABQ-SFO, a couple months ago. I'm booked in D class on both segments.

I now see there has been a minor schedule change on the outbound, and a major (3 hour) on the return.

The website prompts me to do a free change, but the only $0 options are for Y.

I think this is mostly hypothetical, because the new flights are still likely the best option (though the return might be too early now).

However, the wiki only mentions transferring upgrades for voluntary changes, not involuntary.

If I were to call about the return (3 hour change), would they rebook me into D on a different routing (likely ABQ-DEN-SFO)? Or am I completely hosed if I can't fly that early?

zeer0

Family member did SFO-TLV this week. Upgrade at online check-in was a cool $4699, looked like 2 seats available.

passportsandpolaroids

Ended up getting lucky with a price drop for premium plus for 375pp the day prior!

Merolis

Is the system a bit out of wack currently?

I had an offer for a July LAX-EWR flight for $1600 to business with only 5 seats "occupied" on a 787-10. Instead of taking the upsell offer I changed the ticket from a non-refundable "T" to outright "P" for $460.

Shouldn't the system see that there is a dramatically cheaper fare available and price the offer lower than the fare difference?

Kacee

No more than it's ever been.

You would think. But it doesn't. People have been posting these anomalies for literally years.

friedablass

That's cheap. A couple of months back on EWR-TLV I had over $9k at check in. And that was from a PE fare.

bermudai

Yes

Still keep checking For a paid upgrade to have my wife join me in pp ( see my post 1679)

My wife travels with a wheeled portable oxygen machine. Not the walk around style that one sees tv ads for, it does fit under the seat in front about the size of under seat carryon and she only needs it at night.

She called to ask for United’s recommendations on how to travel with it, got a very nice rep who move all her seats to Econ plus at no charge!

I was in seat BOI- SFO I was in 10d they put her in 10a.
Seat in front 9a opens up I move to it, now i am in front of her. Seating is 2-2. Then I check again 9b opens up finally we have one leg where we can sit together.

So early this morning 1am. Online I try moving her cost 66$.
I start a text chat did not know that can be done!

first UA response “I can not move her”

then “ I can move her but it is 66 the seat you want is EP.”

I am like wow wait, i moved 10d EP to 9a EP no charge but you want me to pay 66 to do exactly the same for her. 10a is aEP seat!

My wife is 10a EP to move her to 9a you want to charge her?

Then I texted magic words I never knew existed

“This is why I hate flying United. Thank you have a good night!

United seems to make up rules as it goes along. Talk to 3 people get 5 different answers!”

Next text reply problem solved she’s moved we have 10 a and b!

It was better than a Harry Potter spell.

What I found is by texting you have an actual record of exactly what was said , that should a problem arise you can present a record of the deal that was made.

Still only miles up grade to PP, on SFO-HDN no money offers we leave tues. She is close just on the other side of the wall two rows back in EP.

Why does United make this so hard. 2019 same trip I flew delta comfort plus all the way. It was too late for the agency to make a booking, so I booked my own air! I moved my seats at least a 1/2 dozen time even paid for a first class up grade SEA - BOI! Delta was way less for a class higher.

DELee

Probably better to fly Delta then.

David