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)
Jul 16, 2023, 10:02 am
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
$375 is a very good price to upgrade to PP, but don't do it solely for the reason to increase your chance at getting into Polaris via Plus Points because you will just end up being disappointed as others have been - important to read the Upgrade thread for a better understanding.
But if you're going to be happy if you end up just sitting in PP, which I would certainly be for $375, then go for it.
But if you're going to be happy if you end up just sitting in PP, which I would certainly be for $375, then go for it.
I'm not pulling the trigger on $375 just yet because there's a chance I cancel that flight and take the non-stop to my destination out of EWR. United wants a bunch more miles for it right now and I'd lose the $375 if I do wind up changing.
-RM
Jul 16, 2023, 10:12 am
#302
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United 1K/*G, HHonors Platinum
Posts: 142
LAX-IAD on a non-lie flat. I was #4 on the upgrade list with a family of three ahead of me and two seats available up front. Upon check in, I was offered an upsell for $399 and took it. Then I saw someone else jump the three on the list to become #1. It does not look like anyone got upgraded. Just like general wisdom here says: WFBF. :-)
Jul 16, 2023, 10:23 am
#303
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
LAX-IAD on a non-lie flat. I was #4 on the upgrade list with a family of three ahead of me and two seats available up front. Upon check in, I was offered an upsell for $399 and took it. Then I saw someone else jump the three on the list to become #1. It does not look like anyone got upgraded. Just like general wisdom here says: WFBF. :-)
.
Jul 16, 2023, 11:46 am
#304
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 31
Is the upsell offer from PP to Polaris at point of purchase always the difference between the two fares at the time of purchase? And if not, I guess the only way to find out is to do a "dummy booking". Or would expert mode fare codes give me a clue?
Jul 16, 2023, 4:02 pm
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,034
No, the upsell is rarely or never the difference between the two fares. That would be an "upfare" or "refare".
Jul 17, 2023, 1:33 am
#306
Join Date: May 2017
Location: BCN/STL
Programs: Marriott Titanium, United Silver, SW A List Preferred
Posts: 42
BCN-IAD in PP on an award ticket. Upgrade to Polaris currently $1204.
Five days from departure, Expert Flyer shows 20 (of 49) Polaris seats open.
FWIW, have a ~4 hour connection in IAD, connecting to a United Express flight. With Global Entry, figuring transfer to clear CBP, customs, re-check, transfer to C, then back to A, would still have ~2 hours use of Polaris Lounge if upgraded. Two of us traveling.
With 40% of Polaris open, any chance that price will drop, and if so, how much would you guess?
Five days from departure, Expert Flyer shows 20 (of 49) Polaris seats open.
FWIW, have a ~4 hour connection in IAD, connecting to a United Express flight. With Global Entry, figuring transfer to clear CBP, customs, re-check, transfer to C, then back to A, would still have ~2 hours use of Polaris Lounge if upgraded. Two of us traveling.
With 40% of Polaris open, any chance that price will drop, and if so, how much would you guess?
Jul 17, 2023, 1:51 am
#307
Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,494
BCN-IAD in PP on an award ticket. Upgrade to Polaris currently $1204.
Five days from departure, Expert Flyer shows 20 (of 49) Polaris seats open.
FWIW, have a ~4 hour connection in IAD, connecting to a United Express flight. With Global Entry, figuring transfer to clear CBP, customs, re-check, transfer to C, then back to A, would still have ~2 hours use of Polaris Lounge if upgraded. Two of us traveling.
With 40% of Polaris open, any chance that price will drop, and if so, how much would you guess?
Five days from departure, Expert Flyer shows 20 (of 49) Polaris seats open.
FWIW, have a ~4 hour connection in IAD, connecting to a United Express flight. With Global Entry, figuring transfer to clear CBP, customs, re-check, transfer to C, then back to A, would still have ~2 hours use of Polaris Lounge if upgraded. Two of us traveling.
With 40% of Polaris open, any chance that price will drop, and if so, how much would you guess?
Jul 17, 2023, 2:12 am
#308
Join Date: May 2017
Location: BCN/STL
Programs: Marriott Titanium, United Silver, SW A List Preferred
Posts: 42
Last edited by Chalmers3716; Jul 17, 2023 at 2:21 am Reason: more detail
Jul 17, 2023, 2:51 am
#309
Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,494
Right, so there at least 9 seats available in business class and the inventory all the way down to P implies it could be closer to 20 than to 9.
Jul 17, 2023, 4:27 am
#310
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
Haven’t there been a number of posts claiming that though seat maps used to be a poor means of determining passenger counts in premium cabins, it’s no longer the case? That’s not to say it’s a perfect representation but usually pretty darn close. I know whenever I’ve made a reservation in the past couple years, I ended up with a seat assignment even when I asked for one not to be made.
Jul 17, 2023, 12:32 pm
#311
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: 66,831
These posts would be wrong for multiple reasons. One is PremPlus oversells and another I have regularly observed sold but unselected seats is not uncommon (at least for SFO TATL flights)
Jul 17, 2023, 12:51 pm
#312
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
What do you mean by “not uncommon”? I didn’t say the seat map was a perfect indicator of sold seats but there have been multiple posts in this forum claiming its become a pretty good one.
Jul 17, 2023, 1:27 pm
#313
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: 66,831
A few months ago, I tracked inventory versus seatmap for SFO TATL (FRA/MUC/ZRH) for multiple days. when J inventory was below 9 on nearly all the flights the open seats were 6-8-10 more than J inventory (while PremPlus also had open seats in many cases. Once inside the 7 day window I crosschecked the flight status numbers which tracked J inventory but there were far more open seats.
I have not seen these reports of accurate seatmaps but that may occasionally happen BUT inaccurate seatmaps are still with us. And will continue for long haul.
Jul 18, 2023, 4:34 pm
#314
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: Sixt Platinum, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,557
I guess I won't be getting upsell offers then.. G fare SNA-SFO-SYD this December. Cheap $1,115 fare, but it was a minimum of a week, otherwise it was $2,347. Then saw that it dropped to $1,115 for a five-day trip so I grabbed it.
Put myself on the waitlist.. $600 + 30K to Polaris. Did it for both ways. Not holding my breath though...
Put myself on the waitlist.. $600 + 30K to Polaris. Did it for both ways. Not holding my breath though...
Jul 18, 2023, 7:08 pm
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I guess I won't be getting upsell offers then.. G fare SNA-SFO-SYD this December. Cheap $1,115 fare, but it was a minimum of a week, otherwise it was $2,347. Then saw that it dropped to $1,115 for a five-day trip so I grabbed it.
Put myself on the waitlist.. $600 + 30K to Polaris. Did it for both ways. Not holding my breath though...
Put myself on the waitlist.. $600 + 30K to Polaris. Did it for both ways. Not holding my breath though...
David