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)
Mar 19, 2023, 3:30 pm
#76
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(And I've reported this problem previously over in the Tech Support Forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34861678-post1.html)
David
Mar 19, 2023, 8:16 pm
#77
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I would "like" this post but it's not working for me.
(And I've reported this problem previously over in the Tech Support Forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34861678-post1.html)
David
(And I've reported this problem previously over in the Tech Support Forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34861678-post1.html)
David
Mar 19, 2023, 8:30 pm
#78
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Purchased a LAX-DEN upsell offer for $149. Best value offer I have seen in a long time, especially since only middle E+ seats were available when I ticketed!
Mar 20, 2023, 5:43 am
#80
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
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Traveling ORD- HNL tomorrow. Yesterday I was offered PP>F (Polaris on a 787-10) for $577. Snapped that one up and even managed to snag a solo "L" seat.
Mar 21, 2023, 11:12 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: ORD
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 211
Does checking in on your phone prevent you from getting offers at check in at the airport? I feel like I've gotten offers while checking my bags on the kiosk but I can't remember for sure. My flight TPA-EWR has an upgrade available for $199 which isn't bad (but not great), but since it's a relatively short flight and only 5 seats are taken in first I was hoping it might drop a bit at check in.
Mar 21, 2023, 7:39 pm
#82
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Does checking in on your phone prevent you from getting offers at check in at the airport? I feel like I've gotten offers while checking my bags on the kiosk but I can't remember for sure. My flight TPA-EWR has an upgrade available for $199 which isn't bad (but not great), but since it's a relatively short flight and only 5 seats are taken in first I was hoping it might drop a bit at check in.
David
Mar 25, 2023, 2:30 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,772
Have an EWR to EDI flight in June and logged in this morning and looked at upgrade prices and was able to upgrade from Economy to Polaris for only $340! Sure its 757 polaris, but better than back of the plane. Not sure if this was glitch or luck, but I took it, since its cheaper than the copay for a mileage upgrade. When I had checked 2 weeks ago, the upgrade price was like $1500.
Maybe I'll go buy a lottery ticket now.
Maybe I'll go buy a lottery ticket now.
Mar 25, 2023, 2:53 pm
#86
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Don't see any issues. It's a data point, glitch or otherwise.
Mar 30, 2023, 6:22 pm
#88
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Mar 30, 2023, 6:57 pm
#89
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Mar 31, 2023, 1:16 am
#90
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These days if the app doesn't show an upgrade price, I assume it's because UA's not selling the buy-up. You can still upfare using change flights though (which I successfully did in this situation on a domestic flight just last week, reticketing in Z for the lowest F differential).