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)
Apr 11, 2023, 11:22 pm
#107
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Apr 12, 2023, 12:39 am
#108
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Apr 13, 2023, 10:55 am
#109
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 845
Flew last week PAD-MUC-DEN-LAX. Ticket was an award ticket booked in Y.
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
Apr 13, 2023, 11:55 am
#110
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Flew last week PAD-MUC-DEN-LAX. Ticket was an award ticket booked in Y.
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
Apr 13, 2023, 7:49 pm
#112
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Do you have bags to check?
Do you need workspace?
Do yo have issues fitting in economy?
Do you prefer to have more personal space?
What do you value?
Worth is a subjective term, your measure will be different than my measure.
What can be said at $290 for over five hour flight, this is a decent price.
Apr 14, 2023, 3:26 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
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Does anyone have a theory to explain these cash upgrade prices? Is there any possibility someone in this flight will pay to UG to PE?
Cash upgrade price Y->PE and Y->J
Cash upgrade price Y->PE and Y->J
Apr 14, 2023, 3:38 pm
#114
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Prices are set by algorithm and PremPlus is likely nearly sold out or oberbooked and Polaris probably has many open seats. And the present algorithm does not crosscheck.
One would hope not.
One would hope not.
Apr 14, 2023, 4:19 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Apr 15, 2023, 10:17 pm
#116
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,531
Flew last week PAD-MUC-DEN-LAX. Ticket was an award ticket booked in Y.
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
At the gate in MUC i inquired how much an upgrade would be from Y to J on the MUC-DEN segment. Was first told can’t upgrade award ticket. Asked a second agent and was told $799. Took the upgrade.
Don’t follow this thread much, so was $799 a good deal or is that the standard going?
What is tricky is with the dynamic pricing, and economy award might range from 35,000-100,000. Business 80,000-170,000.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 20, 2023 at 3:02 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Apr 20, 2023, 2:01 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
LAX-ORD - $345 to First
ORD-IAH - $199 to First
I try to stick to $50/hour, but do you think that's a bit low these days? LAX-ORD seems potentially good value at $345 for a 4 hour flight?
ORD-IAH - $199 to First
I try to stick to $50/hour, but do you think that's a bit low these days? LAX-ORD seems potentially good value at $345 for a 4 hour flight?
Last edited by NZ_Flyer; Apr 20, 2023 at 5:49 pm
Apr 20, 2023, 3:05 pm
#118
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Posts: 66,834
Apr 20, 2023, 8:57 pm
#119
Join Date: Sep 2022
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Apr 20, 2023, 9:07 pm
#120
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For example, I see $1,000 coach fare SFO-SYD and don't mind paying $1,500 to Polaris.
Also, often I get $200 coach EWR-SFO, and I don't mind paying $500 upgrade fee to Polaris.