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 21, 2023, 6:48 am
#122
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 741
I have flight scheduled May 30, SFO-FRA-NCE, Premium Plus seats both ways.
I've applied 30 Plus Points, am 1K this year.
When I do Upgrade Cabin in Manage Trip page, it says no MUA or Buy-Up upgrades available.
In the United app on my iPhone, it says flight isn't upgradeable.
Where do you see these buy-up offers?
I've applied 30 Plus Points, am 1K this year.
When I do Upgrade Cabin in Manage Trip page, it says no MUA or Buy-Up upgrades available.
In the United app on my iPhone, it says flight isn't upgradeable.
Where do you see these buy-up offers?
Apr 21, 2023, 7:02 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 741
Ah thanks, I just tried it, selected a Polaris seat and it takes me to the Upgrade Cabin seat, where it says "No Upgrade Available" when I select Upgrade By: Money, Miles PlusPoints.
Does the fact that I applied for Plus Points upgrades back in January mean I can't get Buy Up offers unless I revoke the PlusPoints upgrade request?
Apr 21, 2023, 10:31 am
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
Ah thanks, I just tried it, selected a Polaris seat and it takes me to the Upgrade Cabin seat, where it says "No Upgrade Available" when I select Upgrade By: Money, Miles PlusPoints.
Does the fact that I applied for Plus Points upgrades back in January mean I can't get Buy Up offers unless I revoke the PlusPoints upgrade request?
Does the fact that I applied for Plus Points upgrades back in January mean I can't get Buy Up offers unless I revoke the PlusPoints upgrade request?
-RM
Apr 21, 2023, 10:42 am
#127
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
PVG-SFO: XN fare (35K miles) $8,611 to Premium Plus; $14,231 for Polaris
SFO-IAD: XN fare (part of PVG-ORF), $1000 to First Class (with only two seats for sale) on an redeye flight.
If I buy a new ticket (last minutes purchase at T-20 h) for PVG-ORF on the same set of flights with cash (not miles), PP costs $5,733, Polaris costs $15,278. The 35K miles paid to the original ticket have negative values for Premium Plus, but almost zero value for Polaris ($15,231 plus 35K miles vs. $15,278).
No biting. My wife said that "it is a good decision, but we need to upgrade our mattress when I get home." haha.
SFO-IAD: XN fare (part of PVG-ORF), $1000 to First Class (with only two seats for sale) on an redeye flight.
If I buy a new ticket (last minutes purchase at T-20 h) for PVG-ORF on the same set of flights with cash (not miles), PP costs $5,733, Polaris costs $15,278. The 35K miles paid to the original ticket have negative values for Premium Plus, but almost zero value for Polaris ($15,231 plus 35K miles vs. $15,278).
No biting. My wife said that "it is a good decision, but we need to upgrade our mattress when I get home." haha.
Apr 21, 2023, 9:08 pm
#128
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 741
But then I'd lose my place in the queue right?
I applied the PP back in January, right after purchasing the ticket.
Apr 21, 2023, 10:48 pm
#129
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: 66,856
Time of request comes after 7-8 other factors -- only a very small chance it will lead to change once reapplied
Apr 21, 2023, 10:58 pm
#130
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
These days I consistently get buy-up offers with PP applied domestically so long as there is discount inventory available. And my (much more limited) experience with international is same.
The problem may be lack of discount inventory, not the fact that you have PP applied.
Apr 21, 2023, 11:19 pm
#131
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,823
For this 5/23/2023 UA872 TPE-SFO economy ticket, the cash upgrade costs are far higher than if I just upgrade (change) the ticket to a higher class
The cash upgrade offers $2,348 for PE, $2,448 for J
But if I just change the ticket, PE costs $646, J costs $1913. These fare differences are much cheaper than the cash upgrade offers.
The cash upgrade offers $2,348 for PE, $2,448 for J
But if I just change the ticket, PE costs $646, J costs $1913. These fare differences are much cheaper than the cash upgrade offers.
Apr 21, 2023, 11:36 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
For this 5/23/2023 UA872 TPE-SFO economy ticket, the cash upgrade costs are far higher than if I just upgrade (change) the ticket to a higher class
The cash upgrade offers $2,348 for PE, $2,448 for J
But if I just change the ticket, PE costs $646, J costs $1913. These fare differences are much cheaper than the cash upgrade offers.
The cash upgrade offers $2,348 for PE, $2,448 for J
But if I just change the ticket, PE costs $646, J costs $1913. These fare differences are much cheaper than the cash upgrade offers.
Clearly it is showing that UA is more than willing to offer up multiple ways to upfare your ticket. It clearly pays to do one's investigations to find the most cost effective path.
David
Last edited by DELee; Apr 21, 2023 at 11:51 pm
Apr 22, 2023, 4:01 pm
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Apr 22, 2023, 7:01 pm
#135
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
In my experiences with international flights, yes. The upgrade offers disappear once I apply PPs. For domestic segments though, the cash upgrade offers usually remain visible.