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)
Jan 19, 2023, 6:39 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 4
Flying CPT - EWR on Thu, Mar 16, 2023 and currently in Economy. The cash upgrade price to Polaris Business was $1,382 for a while, but it has been $6,047 for a week or two now. Did I miss my opportunity for a reasonable cash upgrade or could it drop again?
Jan 19, 2023, 7:38 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
Edit: The one-way price is quoted at around $3000 booked into D, have you looked into "changing flight" into business class? Might yield a favorable result.
Jan 20, 2023, 6:00 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
Recent offers when booking PP:
EWR-LHR ~$1,200
ZHR-EWR ~$2,600
Both flights had PZ inventory available (the flight from Zurich was PZ9.)
EWR-LHR ~$1,200
ZHR-EWR ~$2,600
Both flights had PZ inventory available (the flight from Zurich was PZ9.)
Jan 20, 2023, 6:20 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
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Jan 20, 2023, 6:29 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
Jan 20, 2023, 7:09 pm
#22
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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Posts: 10,496
Are you referring to IRROPS? Given PP is the smallest cabin, there may not be enough seats on the next flight. Downgrade would be less likely.
United smiles all the way to the bank.
Jan 21, 2023, 4:33 am
#23
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 66
Posted related question in another thread. Flying IAH-IAD on UA1754 (764ER) on a Sunday in mid-March on M fare. I have platinum status. Currently J9 JN9 C9 D5, everything else 0. Seat map shows 33 out of 39 seats available. Current offer to buy up is $350. Is this at least an OK deal? Chances it will go down? I’ve been prone to paying too much to upgrade and would value some additional input. For now, per jsloan’s advice, I’ve just been keeping an eye on it.
Jan 21, 2023, 5:32 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Purchased an int'l round trip in PP, used Plus Points to waitlist for upgrade to Polaris. Purchased domestic round trip in economy, assumed would get CPU offer at some point.
In both cases i received upgrade offers within 24 hours of booking. In both cases the final price including upgrade offer came to about half what I would have paid if I had purchased Polaris and F to begin with, so I jumped on them. Plus Points for int'l itinerary waitlist upgrade were returned to my account immediately.
In both cases i received upgrade offers within 24 hours of booking. In both cases the final price including upgrade offer came to about half what I would have paid if I had purchased Polaris and F to begin with, so I jumped on them. Plus Points for int'l itinerary waitlist upgrade were returned to my account immediately.
Jan 22, 2023, 3:22 pm
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Posted related question in another thread. Flying IAH-IAD on UA1754 (764ER) on a Sunday in mid-March on M fare. I have platinum status. Currently J9 JN9 C9 D5, everything else 0. Seat map shows 33 out of 39 seats available. Current offer to buy up is $350. Is this at least an OK deal? Chances it will go down? I’ve been prone to paying too much to upgrade and would value some additional input. For now, per jsloan’s advice, I’ve just been keeping an eye on it.
Jan 22, 2023, 3:36 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 64
Posted related question in another thread. Flying IAH-IAD on UA1754 (764ER) on a Sunday in mid-March on M fare. I have platinum status. Currently J9 JN9 C9 D5, everything else 0. Seat map shows 33 out of 39 seats available. Current offer to buy up is $350. Is this at least an OK deal? Chances it will go down? I’ve been prone to paying too much to upgrade and would value some additional input. For now, per jsloan’s advice, I’ve just been keeping an eye on it.
Jan 22, 2023, 4:18 pm
#27
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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
Posts: 35,406
Posted related question in another thread. Flying IAH-IAD on UA1754 (764ER) on a Sunday in mid-March on M fare. I have platinum status. Currently J9 JN9 C9 D5, everything else 0. Seat map shows 33 out of 39 seats available. Current offer to buy up is $350. Is this at least an OK deal? Chances it will go down? I’ve been prone to paying too much to upgrade and would value some additional input. For now, per jsloan’s advice, I’ve just been keeping an eye on it.