MileagePlus rules clarification [certificates]
Jan 28, 2018 | 9:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Tel Aviv
Programs: UA 1K, AZ CFP, O6 Diamond, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 32
MileagePlus rules clarification [certificates]
(I know it's against forum rules to offer upgrades here- I'm NOT offering any, I'm looking for clarification regarding UA's MP rules)
I've been sponsoring upgrades (GPUs and RPUs) for friends and family for a long while, similar to most of the members here - not selling, bartering, exchanging or offering "travel advice", simply upgrading people who are close to me.
Since I have a few xPUs expiring in a few days, I thought about offering them to people who I don't necessarily know personally (e.g. on travel forums, social media, etc.) - again, 100% free, not selling or anything like that. Before doing so, being a good boy 'n all, I went to UA's website to read the MP program rules, to make sure I'm in the clear- I'm happy to be a Good Samaritan, but have no intention of "breaking the law" :-)
Section 10 (Prohibition of sale or barter), states the following:
Now, I'm no lawyer, but doesn't this section basically state that ANY upgrade transfer is prohibited? That is, unless "other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United" (whatever that means
) is what allows it? Obviously this is somehow allowed, since most (if not all) of us redeem upgrades for people all the time.
Once again, I'm not looking for a 'loophole' or 'validation' to sell/barter/exchange the upgrades, just trying to better understand this.
I've been sponsoring upgrades (GPUs and RPUs) for friends and family for a long while, similar to most of the members here - not selling, bartering, exchanging or offering "travel advice", simply upgrading people who are close to me.
Since I have a few xPUs expiring in a few days, I thought about offering them to people who I don't necessarily know personally (e.g. on travel forums, social media, etc.) - again, 100% free, not selling or anything like that. Before doing so, being a good boy 'n all, I went to UA's website to read the MP program rules, to make sure I'm in the clear- I'm happy to be a Good Samaritan, but have no intention of "breaking the law" :-)
Section 10 (Prohibition of sale or barter), states the following:
The sale, barter or other transfer or attempted sale, barter or other transfer of any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status, other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United, is expressly prohibited. Any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status sold, bartered or otherwise transferred is in violation of the Rules and any accounts or Members involved in such sales, barters or other transfers may be subject to United’s Remedies. The acquisition, use, transfer or attempted acquisition, use or transfer of mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status that have been acquired by purchase, barter or other transfer in violation of the Rules may result in United’s exercise of United’s Remedies.
Now, I'm no lawyer, but doesn't this section basically state that ANY upgrade transfer is prohibited? That is, unless "other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United" (whatever that means
) is what allows it? Obviously this is somehow allowed, since most (if not all) of us redeem upgrades for people all the time.Once again, I'm not looking for a 'loophole' or 'validation' to sell/barter/exchange the upgrades, just trying to better understand this.
Jan 28, 2018 | 9:17 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,511
You can sponsor an upgrade for anyone. As long as this is for free you are o.k.; you don't need to know that person necessarily. Of course UA is sensitive to this, so folks have gotten into trouble when they e.g. gave them to charity auctions for example since the 'buyer' paid for them, just not to the holder of the cert.
You don't give them away, you log into your account and upgrade someone else ... I do it all the time, never an issue. Family, friends, co-workers ...
You don't give them away, you log into your account and upgrade someone else ... I do it all the time, never an issue. Family, friends, co-workers ...
Jan 28, 2018 | 9:19 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,604
You're reading too much into this. Here are the key words
"other than as authorized"
United, via the Mileage Plus program rules, authorizes certain transfers. Transfers outside of the rules ("other than as authorized") are not.
"other than as authorized"
United, via the Mileage Plus program rules, authorizes certain transfers. Transfers outside of the rules ("other than as authorized") are not.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jan 28, 2018 at 10:00 am