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 31, 2023, 12:29 pm
#91
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Is there any way to see how much money it will cost to upgrade from a saver economy award ticket to business class on a domestic flight before booking the award ticket? I'm traveling on short notice and trying to bring some basic household items to a friend who could use some support. I could really take advantage of the the 70 lbs weight limit for checked bags from an upgrade to first class to share more. So I'm ideally hoping to use the miles I have to cover the saver ticket and see if it's economical to upgrade to a business class ticket since it's a very short flight where business class might not sell out. But I ideally want to know what it'll cost to do that before using my award miles on the saver ticket. Thanks :-)
Mar 31, 2023, 1:06 pm
#92
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: 66,846
Welcome to FT!, RhinoItAll
The cash upgrade offer for award tickets is variable. It may not be offered, and if offered it will depend on unpublished factors (likely based of paid fares, sales of paid fares, ...). I use a ballpark estimate of not much cheaper than $75/flight hour but can be higher.
FedEx/UPS may be cheaper
FedEx/UPS may be cheaper
Mar 31, 2023, 1:17 pm
#93
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Is there any way to see how much money it will cost to upgrade from a saver economy award ticket to business class on a domestic flight before booking the award ticket? I'm traveling on short notice and trying to bring some basic household items to a friend who could use some support. I could really take advantage of the the 70 lbs weight limit for checked bags from an upgrade to first class to share more. So I'm ideally hoping to use the miles I have to cover the saver ticket and see if it's economical to upgrade to a business class ticket since it's a very short flight where business class might not sell out. But I ideally want to know what it'll cost to do that before using my award miles on the saver ticket. Thanks :-)
Mar 31, 2023, 11:19 pm
#94
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Welcome to FT!, RhinoItAll
The cash upgrade offer for award tickets is variable. It may not be offered, and if offered it will depend on unpublished factors (likely based of paid fares, sales of paid fares, ...). I use a ballpark estimate of not much cheaper than $75/flight hour but can be higher.
FedEx/UPS may be cheaper
The cash upgrade offer for award tickets is variable. It may not be offered, and if offered it will depend on unpublished factors (likely based of paid fares, sales of paid fares, ...). I use a ballpark estimate of not much cheaper than $75/flight hour but can be higher.
FedEx/UPS may be cheaper
Thanks for the reminder that I should be able to cancel and get my points back promptly.
Apr 4, 2023, 6:46 am
#95
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Houston
Programs: United GS, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
When you purchase a buy up from Premium Economy to Business, do you get RDMs based on the amount purchased? The PQDs posted to my account, but not RDMs. My total purchase will credit less than 75,000 RDMs on the round trip, so that is not the issue.
Apr 5, 2023, 5:33 am
#98
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 698
Apr 5, 2023, 4:38 pm
#99
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 741
Apr 5, 2023, 5:43 pm
#100
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
The offer is typically priced based on J inventory. When P is available, that should be the lowest price.
Apr 6, 2023, 11:36 pm
#102
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Apr 11, 2023, 7:33 pm
#104
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
I am a United 1k member, I accepted an offer to upgrade a ticket booked with my miles to upgrade my wife and daughter from PP to F.
I would now like to change my flight, If I change or cancel my upgrade fee is not being considered, if I cancel I do not see it being listed as being refunded. What are my options / best tips to bypass this.
I would now like to change my flight, If I change or cancel my upgrade fee is not being considered, if I cancel I do not see it being listed as being refunded. What are my options / best tips to bypass this.
Apr 11, 2023, 9:53 pm
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450