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)
Jan 25, 2023, 1:22 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Jan 27, 2023, 3:40 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
It was my girlfriend's flight. Economy was rather empty, so she decided to stay there, and had 3 seats to herself. But yes, would definitely have been an easy choice between the 2 upgrade options if she'd decided to upgrade!
Jan 27, 2023, 6:00 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 772
Purchased an int'l round trip in PP, used Plus Points to waitlist for upgrade to Polaris. Purchased domestic round trip in economy, assumed would get CPU offer at some point.
In both cases i received upgrade offers within 24 hours of booking. In both cases the final price including upgrade offer came to about half what I would have paid if I had purchased Polaris and F to begin with, so I jumped on them. Plus Points for int'l itinerary waitlist upgrade were returned to my account immediately.
In both cases i received upgrade offers within 24 hours of booking. In both cases the final price including upgrade offer came to about half what I would have paid if I had purchased Polaris and F to begin with, so I jumped on them. Plus Points for int'l itinerary waitlist upgrade were returned to my account immediately.
Jan 27, 2023, 11:33 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
In that case, why did I receive a notification telling me that the PlusPoints had been detached from my reservations and returned to my account for use?
Jan 28, 2023, 10:06 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
My friend was on BOS-SFO this morning. He was No.1 on the upgrade list as 1K using PP.
The plane is 757-200 with flat bed.
The offer from UA was $700 and he didn't take it.
I am wondering if it's a mistake for such a long flight.
The plane is 757-200 with flat bed.
The offer from UA was $700 and he didn't take it.
I am wondering if it's a mistake for such a long flight.
Jan 28, 2023, 2:34 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,496
Last year I did 3 cross country segment in less than 24 hrs (not on UA) in the back of 739/7M9. (SEA-BOS-SEA-BOS).
Jan 28, 2023, 2:58 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Jan 28, 2023, 3:55 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,496
Not clearing at #1 is probably the worst feeling out of all other positions. Even worst would be GA not clearing the upgrade list at all despite inquiry...then the flight from LAX to EWR departing with you still at #1 on the UG list and one seat open throughout the flight...and then you'd get lousy 5k we are sorry for our incompetence miles.
Jan 28, 2023, 4:16 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
Feb 4, 2023, 11:25 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
Just booked for late Feb: SBA-LAX-IAD-BTV, BTV-ORD-LAX-SBA returning (I know, lots of connections to get from Santa Barbara to Burlington, VT! )
LAX - IAD $537
ORD-LAX $299
the shorter ones were either $99 or $149.
Passed on all for right now.
LAX - IAD $537
ORD-LAX $299
the shorter ones were either $99 or $149.
Passed on all for right now.
Feb 4, 2023, 11:58 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
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David
Feb 5, 2023, 2:20 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
$725 for late night IAD - LHR and $1250 for LHR - EWR morning return.
O fare.
Return had PZ space so confirmed with miles.
Listed for the miles upgrade for now on the outbound, not sure I want to pay the $725 for a short flight (plus late departure from RDU means basically a 1 hour layover at 9pm-10pm aka no real Polaris lounge time
O fare.
Return had PZ space so confirmed with miles.
Listed for the miles upgrade for now on the outbound, not sure I want to pay the $725 for a short flight (plus late departure from RDU means basically a 1 hour layover at 9pm-10pm aka no real Polaris lounge time
Feb 5, 2023, 2:21 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 694
$725 for late night IAD - LHR and $1250 for LHR - EWR morning return.
O fare.
Return had PZ space so confirmed with miles.
Listed for the miles upgrade for now on the outbound, not sure I want to pay the $725 for a short flight (plus late departure from RDU means basically a 1 hour layover at 9pm-10pm aka no real Polaris lounge time
O fare.
Return had PZ space so confirmed with miles.
Listed for the miles upgrade for now on the outbound, not sure I want to pay the $725 for a short flight (plus late departure from RDU means basically a 1 hour layover at 9pm-10pm aka no real Polaris lounge time