Last edit by: drewguy
There are no complimentary upgrades on "Polaris" or premium transcon service or Hawaii (to/from ORD/EWR/IAD/IAH) flights for elites. Elites need to support their upgrades with Plus Points or miles+copay. A complete table is here
Some international flights are CPU eligible (mainly North American)
On very rare occasions if a lower cabin is overbooked, some passengers (usually by elite status) will be operational upgraded (op-up'ed)
Consolidated - Chance of Operational Upgrade (Op-Up) on my flight?
did united ever offer complimentary upgrades on international routes?
Some international flights are CPU eligible (mainly North American)
On very rare occasions if a lower cabin is overbooked, some passengers (usually by elite status) will be operational upgraded (op-up'ed)
Consolidated - Chance of Operational Upgrade (Op-Up) on my flight?
did united ever offer complimentary upgrades on international routes?
Complimentary upgrades when UA's PremPlus / Polaris cabin(s) are open? (No)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GSP
Programs: UA Gold; 1MM; Marriot Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 401
Complimentary upgrades when UA's PremPlus / Polaris cabin(s) are open? (No)
Hi everyone,
I've not flown internationally with United since before the merger with Continental and am trying to understand the new upgrade procedures. I am Gold Status (as a result of the 1MM highflying days) and will be flying from IAD to Tokyo (NRT). Does United still give complimentary upgrades? I understand my chances are slim to none since I am no longer a 1K but just curious whether this is even done anymore.
I've not flown internationally with United since before the merger with Continental and am trying to understand the new upgrade procedures. I am Gold Status (as a result of the 1MM highflying days) and will be flying from IAD to Tokyo (NRT). Does United still give complimentary upgrades? I understand my chances are slim to none since I am no longer a 1K but just curious whether this is even done anymore.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,879
Hi everyone,
I've not flown internationally with United since before the merger with Continental and am trying to understand the new upgrade procedures. I am Gold Status (as a result of the 1MM highflying days) and will be flying from IAD to Tokyo (NRT). Does United still give complimentary upgrades? I understand my chances are slim to none since I am no longer a 1K but just curious whether this is even done anymore.
I've not flown internationally with United since before the merger with Continental and am trying to understand the new upgrade procedures. I am Gold Status (as a result of the 1MM highflying days) and will be flying from IAD to Tokyo (NRT). Does United still give complimentary upgrades? I understand my chances are slim to none since I am no longer a 1K but just curious whether this is even done anymore.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GSP
Programs: UA Gold; 1MM; Marriot Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 401
Thanks for the replies all. I did used to get automatic upgrades between HNL and NRT years ago 2007-2010 time frame. Used my Systemwide Upgrades when I had them, but 99% of the time was upgraded...but I was 1k back then. As I recall it, I requested it online and they would take some miles, but no copay (so yes, I suppose that wasn't complimentary, but it usually only cost me 10K miles). Once got upgraded twice, from Economy to Business, then as I walked past the gate agent, she stopped me and handed me a ticket to Intl First (NRT - SFO). They probably needed the space and I wasn't about to complain. :-)
These days I am just happy that I can get access to Economy Plus.
These days I am just happy that I can get access to Economy Plus.
#6
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,425
But mileage upgrades on discounted fares require more miles and co-pays. And in the past most discount fare were not eligible for mileage upgrades.
But since miles were required, it was not complimentary.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GSP
Programs: UA Gold; 1MM; Marriot Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 401
Mileage upgrades on full fare economy Y/B fares then and now can be done with miles only. It is up to 20K or 30K miles now.
But mileage upgrades on discounted fares require more miles and co-pays. And in the past most discount fare were not eligible for mileage upgrades.
But since miles were required, it was not complimentary.
But mileage upgrades on discounted fares require more miles and co-pays. And in the past most discount fare were not eligible for mileage upgrades.
But since miles were required, it was not complimentary.
Thanks again for the replies, I'm rusty on my FF info..used to be up on all the latest when I was flying alot. Now I'm virtually a Kettle!
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
united complimentary upgrade when International / Polaris First is open?
i'm flying SFO->PEK tomorrow. first class is completely open, with no seats booked an no one on the upgrade list. does United ever upgrade anyone from bus to first on their own in a case like this?
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,834
If both economy and business cabins are overbooked, United will move some business pax to First. Operational upgrade happens very often on SFO-PEK route, according to my friend living in the Bay area. Good luck.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,227
It's blocked to 6, so there may be some op-ups to clear space in the business cabin. Op-ups would likely be done by status, GS then 1K.
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,298
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Bear in mind that the OPUP is only to avoid an oversale, so even if J is overbooked, that does not mean an oversale. All it takes is one J misconnect and the need to OPUP someone goes away.
I also question whether if F is truly empty and there are no nonrevs to fill it, whether UA will OPUP someone before it downgrades someone on an award or GPU to Y (presuming space in Y).
I also question whether if F is truly empty and there are no nonrevs to fill it, whether UA will OPUP someone before it downgrades someone on an award or GPU to Y (presuming space in Y).