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 19, 2023, 11:31 am
#316
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Free Agent, Any Status is Accidental
Posts: 1,395
Upgrade Strategy: Miles vs Cash
Looking for some advice on miles vs cash upgrade strategy:
Booking a RT from SFO-ORD-FCO, return FCO-IAD-SFO in economy this fall. I'm open to using either miles or as cash to upgrade to Polaris (or minimum Prem Eco). Typically I set a expertflyer alert for D/Z class which, when it becomes available, usually translates to a reasonable web-offer. I'm willing to wait for that D/Z inventory until we get a little closer, but my question is, if I go ahead and waitlist for a miles upgrade now, doesn't that remove the online cash upgrade offers? Should I then wait until we are much closer and no good cash offer has come up (e.g one week out) before waitlisting the miles upgrade? Or will I miss out on a lot of chances for a prem eco or polaris miles upgrade chances by doing that? (I assume that upgrades are pretty rare until very close to departure, but maybe that's not true?)
Is alternative strategy to waitlist with miles now, and then if D/Z availability opens, calling to cancel the miles upgrade request and immediately check the cash offer? (and if not acceptable, re-list the miles upgrade?)
Thanks!
Booking a RT from SFO-ORD-FCO, return FCO-IAD-SFO in economy this fall. I'm open to using either miles or as cash to upgrade to Polaris (or minimum Prem Eco). Typically I set a expertflyer alert for D/Z class which, when it becomes available, usually translates to a reasonable web-offer. I'm willing to wait for that D/Z inventory until we get a little closer, but my question is, if I go ahead and waitlist for a miles upgrade now, doesn't that remove the online cash upgrade offers? Should I then wait until we are much closer and no good cash offer has come up (e.g one week out) before waitlisting the miles upgrade? Or will I miss out on a lot of chances for a prem eco or polaris miles upgrade chances by doing that? (I assume that upgrades are pretty rare until very close to departure, but maybe that's not true?)
Is alternative strategy to waitlist with miles now, and then if D/Z availability opens, calling to cancel the miles upgrade request and immediately check the cash offer? (and if not acceptable, re-list the miles upgrade?)
Thanks!
Jul 19, 2023, 6:03 pm
#317
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 698
Yes on an international PNR you will not be able to see the cash upgrade after you apply a MUA, which covers all legs of your itinerary. If your international leg only has D<9 and/or Z<9, I wouldn't worry about PZ opening anytime soon. This also means that United is very confident they will sell all seats before departure. I would wait with applying the MUA and check the cash upgrade prices, for the international legs, daily and see if they move, then pounce on it if you like the price. There should be a separate upgrade price for the domestic segment. If you have no status with UA, your upgrade chances using a MUA are pretty much zero.
Jul 23, 2023, 7:03 pm
#318
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 3
Hi guys, not sure if this has been mentioned. But I've been trying to find an answer but haven't gotten it. Booked on EWR - HND then on NH HND-SIN in Premium PLus (R), however, I'm unable to see the cash upgrade option and there is only miles + copay option for EWR-HND route. Would I have to call in to ask for the price or am I not eligible (No status). J D Z P showing 9.
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
Jul 24, 2023, 8:03 pm
#319
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
Hi All - Does United offer the ability to pay the fare difference to switch to First Class after booking? This would be for a domestic flight booked in normal (not basic) economy.
Jul 24, 2023, 8:08 pm
#320
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,532
Yes. If you view your reservation you should see an upgrade offer, which will frequently be cheaper than the fare difference between economy and first. If you want to pay the full fare difference you can do so in the "Change Flights" functionality.
Jul 24, 2023, 8:29 pm
#321
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,501
Jul 25, 2023, 7:06 am
#322
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Platinum, Former Amtrak Select, Former Hilton Gold
Posts: 422
Jul 25, 2023, 9:03 am
#323
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
Jul 30, 2023, 12:23 pm
#324
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 462
Tomorrow - Mileage award for Premium Plus DEN/IAH/AMS 562 to 20 - offered Polaris for $699 at check in and grabbed it. Before that, it had been $1850. UA562 seems to possibly need volunteers. Could be an interesting day.
Jul 30, 2023, 12:43 pm
#325
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
I'm pretty sure this is just UA gathering data again. I don't think the flight is oversold.
Jul 30, 2023, 1:17 pm
#326
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 462
Jul 30, 2023, 1:50 pm
#327
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
$1952 for ORD-ASE on a mileage ticket at time of purchase several months out. Hahahahahahahahahahahhahaha...yeah...no.
Aug 12, 2023, 8:55 am
#329
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
8-10 J seats open but seems like the price is relatively inline with what others have seen/paid. Of course will always wonder if I could have gotten cheaper closer to departure.
Aug 12, 2023, 9:35 am
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
not even close, It’s not even the longest flight from EWR within the 48 contiguous states. (EWR-SFO is a little longer).EWR-HNL is the longest domestic flight in the system.
But if you need to sleep, $319 isn’t an awful price.