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)
Jun 20, 2023, 6:47 pm
#271
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Jun 20, 2023, 7:07 pm
#272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,513
Jun 29, 2023, 1:08 pm
#273
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: UA*G
Posts: 7
Hi! Thoughts on $375 for PP on FRA-SFO? My boyfriend and I are currently in a row by ourselves in E+, but thinking that will likely change by the time we fly (8/16). I know they say PP comes with bedding, amenity kits and plated dishes/drinks – can any recent travelers confirm? If not, I think I'd rather hold off and wait to see if the Polaris buy-up drops (currently $3,565).
Thanks much!
Thanks much!
Jun 29, 2023, 1:19 pm
#274
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 26
Hi! Thoughts on $375 for PP on FRA-SFO? My boyfriend and I are currently in a row by ourselves in E+, but thinking that will likely change by the time we fly (8/16). I know they say PP comes with bedding, amenity kits and plated dishes/drinks – can any recent travelers confirm? If not, I think I'd rather hold off and wait to see if the Polaris buy-up drops (currently $3,565).
Thanks much!
Thanks much!
Jul 2, 2023, 6:56 pm
#275
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 57
I currently have 3 XN tickets IAH-SFO-HND, leaving in four days. Cash upgrade SFO-HND from PE to PP is $300 each. If I purchase the cash upgrade, is it possible to apply PlusPoints to upgrade to business? I am a first time 1K. I thought that using PP on award tickets is not allowed, but from what I am reading, the cash upgrade will take me to a O/A/R fare, thus allowing me to use Pluspoints? Thanks for any help!
Jul 2, 2023, 7:17 pm
#276
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
It is a quirk in the system, could change in the future, but works today (or at least yesterday).
Jul 4, 2023, 8:54 pm
#277
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 36
Booked premium economy with miles for SFO > CPH (layover ZRH) and CDG > SFO nonstop. Cost to upgrade is:
SFO > CPH: $760 to upgrade
CDG > SFO: $1052 to upgrade
Any thoughts on whether this is “worth it?” Looks like I don’t have the option to upgrade with miles so these are cash upgrades for flights in August. I’ve seen the SFO > CPH leg upgrade drop down to 4-something on some days. If I had to choose one leg to upgrade, it’d be CDG >SFO since it’s nonstop but wondering if that price will drop at all…? Curious for thoughts and what you’d do with this.
SFO > CPH: $760 to upgrade
CDG > SFO: $1052 to upgrade
Any thoughts on whether this is “worth it?” Looks like I don’t have the option to upgrade with miles so these are cash upgrades for flights in August. I’ve seen the SFO > CPH leg upgrade drop down to 4-something on some days. If I had to choose one leg to upgrade, it’d be CDG >SFO since it’s nonstop but wondering if that price will drop at all…? Curious for thoughts and what you’d do with this.
Jul 5, 2023, 12:18 pm
#278
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Booked premium economy with miles for SFO > CPH (layover ZRH) and CDG > SFO nonstop. Cost to upgrade is:
SFO > CPH: $760 to upgrade
CDG > SFO: $1052 to upgrade
Any thoughts on whether this is “worth it?” Looks like I don’t have the option to upgrade with miles so these are cash upgrades for flights in August. I’ve seen the SFO > CPH leg upgrade drop down to 4-something on some days. If I had to choose one leg to upgrade, it’d be CDG >SFO since it’s nonstop but wondering if that price will drop at all…? Curious for thoughts and what you’d do with this.
SFO > CPH: $760 to upgrade
CDG > SFO: $1052 to upgrade
Any thoughts on whether this is “worth it?” Looks like I don’t have the option to upgrade with miles so these are cash upgrades for flights in August. I’ve seen the SFO > CPH leg upgrade drop down to 4-something on some days. If I had to choose one leg to upgrade, it’d be CDG >SFO since it’s nonstop but wondering if that price will drop at all…? Curious for thoughts and what you’d do with this.
Jul 5, 2023, 6:57 pm
#279
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 12
Cash-only upgrade offer from Premium Plus to Polaris
My premium economy ticket is A and my wife's ticket is R. We have separate cash-only upgrade offers to Polaris Business for $450 and $770, respectively. I want to make sure there is availability for both of us. I have to upgrade two tickets minutes apart.
Which fare class is being offered to us?
Here are the available fare classes for that flight:J5 JN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09
ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9
HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
15 IN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09 ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
Thanks in advance.
Which fare class is being offered to us?
Here are the available fare classes for that flight:J5 JN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09
ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9
HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
15 IN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09 ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by GreenDiceLiu; Jul 5, 2023 at 7:03 pm Reason: Add screenshot
Jul 5, 2023, 7:06 pm
#280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,513
My premium economy ticket is A and my wife's ticket is R. We have separate cash-only upgrade offers to Polaris Business for $450 and $770, respectively. I want to make sure there is availability for both of us. I have to upgrade two tickets minutes apart.
Which fare class is being offered to us?
Here are the available fare classes for that flight:J5 JN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09
ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9
HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
15 IN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09 ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
Thanks in advance.
Which fare class is being offered to us?
Here are the available fare classes for that flight:J5 JN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09
ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9
HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
15 IN5 C5 D5 ZO ZNO PO PNO PZO INO 09 ON9 A5 RO RNO Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 LO KO GO XN9
Thanks in advance.
Jul 5, 2023, 7:09 pm
#281
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 12
I want to make sure there are two seats of that fare class available. Hate to upgrade one ticket and then find out that was the last seat for that fare class. It is my understanding the ticket availability is based on the fare class. I thought it would be either PN or PZ but both PN and PZ shows zero tickets available.
Jul 5, 2023, 7:33 pm
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
I want to make sure there are two seats of that fare class available. Hate to upgrade one ticket and then find out that was the last seat for that fare class. It is my understanding the ticket availability is based on the fare class. I thought it would be either PN or PZ but both PN and PZ shows zero tickets available.
That said, UA can (and often will) recalculate the inventory (and, thus, most likely, the upgrade cost) every time a ticket purchase is made, so even if you see n>=2 in the lowest non-zero Polaris inventory bucket, the cost of the second upgrade might change after you buy the first one.
Jul 5, 2023, 7:40 pm
#283
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 12
That said, UA can (and often will) recalculate the inventory (and, thus, most likely, the upgrade cost) every time a ticket purchase is made, so even if you see n>=2 in the lowest non-zero Polaris inventory bucket, the cost of the second upgrade might change after you buy the first one.
Jul 6, 2023, 12:26 pm
#285
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Paid upgrades are not limited to any specific fare class and will generally clear into the lowest available non-zero bucket. It looks like you’ve done a connecting flight search, though — you need to search just for the segment in question to see the information you’re looking for.
That said, UA can (and often will) recalculate the inventory (and, thus, most likely, the upgrade cost) every time a ticket purchase is made, so even if you see n>=2 in the lowest non-zero Polaris inventory bucket, the cost of the second upgrade might change after you buy the first one.
That said, UA can (and often will) recalculate the inventory (and, thus, most likely, the upgrade cost) every time a ticket purchase is made, so even if you see n>=2 in the lowest non-zero Polaris inventory bucket, the cost of the second upgrade might change after you buy the first one.