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UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase to Day of Departure (TOD)

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Old Jan 21, 2017, 10:27 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 instead Buy 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)

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UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase to Day of Departure (TOD)

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Old Apr 23, 2024, 8:10 am
  #811  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K - 1 MM, Marriott LT-Plt, Hyatt Glb
Posts: 213
SFO-AUS-SFO RT this week. L Fare one way, S the other. Both eventually got down to $249 UG and I bit. One was a week out one was T-30 (J=3). For a 3:45 flight

I will pay $250 to be able to work for that much time. And United seems to be in sync with me since mid-con flights seem to consistently drop to $249 if there is space available.
SPN Lifer, 8MiHi and tstauck like this.
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Old Yesterday, 6:02 am
  #812  
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Wellington
Posts: 86
I have an upcoming SFO-LHR flight (T class) that was booked through NZ (086). I can see on the UA app I have the option to upgrade with miles (to join the waitlist), but not cash.

Is there an option to upgrade with cash at the gate, or closer to departure? Or not at all as it was not booked through UA (016)?

I’ll be checking in with NZ in WLG (I’m flying WLG-AKL-SFO on NZ, then SFO-LHR on UA) so I’m guessing it’s unlikely I can upgrade then.
Nightowl888 is offline  
Old Yesterday, 11:11 am
  #813  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
Originally Posted by ExplorerWannabe
Jun 1 - Jun 8/9. Offer to upgrade from Economy Plus to First for DEN-HNL (HNL-DEN not available) for $1369. Hard pass.
Had to slip my flights by 4 days yesterday (so Jun 5-12/13). Again, HNL-DEN upfare not offered. DEN-HNL offered at $999. Still a hard pass.
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Old Yesterday, 7:09 pm
  #814  
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,040
Originally Posted by Nightowl888
I have an upcoming SFO-LHR flight (T class) that was booked through NZ (086). I can see on the UA app I have the option to upgrade with miles (to join the waitlist), but not cash.

Is there an option to upgrade with cash at the gate, or closer to departure? Or not at all as it was not booked through UA (016)?

I’ll be checking in with NZ in WLG (I’m flying WLG-AKL-SFO on NZ, then SFO-LHR on UA) so I’m guessing it’s unlikely I can upgrade then.
upgrades on non-016 tickets are tricky. You can’t upgrade at check-in and the likelihood you’ll be able to do anything at the gate in SFO is low. Keep checking for $$$ upgrade offers, also check the UA app. After you have checked in, you can try again on the UA app to see if an offer pops up. Also try to move your seat to Polaris and see if an offer comes up that way.
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Old Yesterday, 7:15 pm
  #815  
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Wellington
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by cfischer
upgrades on non-016 tickets are tricky. You can’t upgrade at check-in and the likelihood you’ll be able to do anything at the gate in SFO is low. Keep checking for $$$ upgrade offers, also check the UA app. After you have checked in, you can try again on the UA app to see if an offer pops up. Also try to move your seat to Polaris and see if an offer comes up that way.
Thanks for the helpful info, thought that may be the case as it’s nearly impossible to upgrade NZ flights if they’re not NZ ticketed.
At the moment both Polaris and PP are unavailable on my seat map, but perhaps I’ll try looking on the UA app again for cash offers at T-24/after I’ve checked in with NZ.
Nightowl888 is offline  


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