Changes and Problems with Online Upgrade Process
Mar 27, 2018, 5:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
It also seems the what’s the difference question mark where United confirms buy ups pay extra PQM IS GONE.
the checkout screen has a note that says miles based on original fare class now. This could save me a lot of money wasted on paid upgrades for double PQM. I did it almost every flight to make 1K last year and prob spent $5,000+. Obv also enjoyed being in First.
Just did one of the online upgrades....glitches out and had to call, ended up double charge, one will fall off, got the double PQM, but no miles on the buyup portion of cost.
the checkout screen has a note that says miles based on original fare class now. This could save me a lot of money wasted on paid upgrades for double PQM. I did it almost every flight to make 1K last year and prob spent $5,000+. Obv also enjoyed being in First.
Just did one of the online upgrades....glitches out and had to call, ended up double charge, one will fall off, got the double PQM, but no miles on the buyup portion of cost.
Mar 29, 2018, 11:55 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,051
Same here
I just went searching for this thread to see if I was the only frustrated one. Same issue - I can get to the apply 1 GPU click after which the landing page is missing. It isn't possible to continue to pay and select seats....CCC/W above, there is no R availability, so it is a waitlisted upgrade.
Mar 29, 2018, 2:30 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA1K | *A Gold
Posts: 767
I believe this may be related to the GPU/RPU disappearing from the homepage, as the GPU/RPU search option seems to be gone as well.
Has anyone tried clearing their cache/cookies and/or trying in an incognito browser?
Has anyone tried clearing their cache/cookies and/or trying in an incognito browser?
Mar 29, 2018, 3:02 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: WAS-ish
Programs: UA 1K-MM + UC, Marriott Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,341
I'm having this problem too. Came here to see if anybody else was frustrated... glad to see you are! 
And, just to be clear about everything... this does not appear to be a problem with availability or anything. It seems to be just a website bug -- the "Purchase" button has disappeared. I'm trying to waitlist an instrument, and everything works fine except there is no "Continue" or "Purchase" button. Like they made a car but forgot to add a place to stick the key in and start it! (Yes, I know all new cars are pushbutton these days... bear with me... grump, grump, kids these days...)
And, just to be clear about everything... this does not appear to be a problem with availability or anything. It seems to be just a website bug -- the "Purchase" button has disappeared. I'm trying to waitlist an instrument, and everything works fine except there is no "Continue" or "Purchase" button. Like they made a car but forgot to add a place to stick the key in and start it! (Yes, I know all new cars are pushbutton these days... bear with me... grump, grump, kids these days...)
Mar 29, 2018, 8:35 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mile High
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 7
Something strange I noticed a few days ago too... For each of my reservations booked through a TA (corporate travel or OTA), under the "Redeem Awards to Upgrade" tab there is the option to upgrade using miles or a cert, but on the "Purchase Upgrade" tab, the selection is greyed out and marked "Not Available". For my one reservation booked directly through UA, both options are still available. I had always been able to buy-up to first via this upgrade tab on the website- even for TA-issued tickets. Wonder if this has gone away?
Mar 30, 2018, 9:29 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,528
I noticed the same problem with online upgrades a few weeks back. My issue was that it wouldn't show the buy-up upgrade for all segments. However, the United app on my iPhone did show the buy-up upgrade option. Something is very quirky with the upgrade page.
Mar 31, 2018, 12:34 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 725
Are you sure? Under Manage Reservations when I click the blue "Upgrade Flight" button I'm still going to the 2nd tab "Redeem Awards to Upgrade" whereas in the past I'd always go to the 1st tab "Purchase Upgrade" where they're always be an offer as long as there was more than one First Class seat available -- this new behavior has been in place for approx one month. I would note that only once in the past 4 months have I seen a single seat available on the "Redeem Awards to Upgrade" tab and that availability only lasted two days!
Mar 31, 2018, 4:19 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mile High
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 7
I'm just trying to figure out if there is a pattern here... Can anyone else confirm if they are able to use the "Purchase Upgrade" tab to buy-up to first on a ticket not purchased directly from United (corp TA or OTA)? The one ticket I purchased from UA has both options and seems normal, all non-UA purchased trips only have the "Redeem Awards to Upgrade" as an option (and even though waitlisted, the ability to use miles or a cert). At least a few weeks ago, if there were seats available in first, "Purchase Upgrade" was always an option on all itineraries. I am wondering if the only way to buy-up for non-UA issued tickets now is to call in?
Apr 11, 2018, 11:48 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 211
SAP
Apr 11, 2018, 11:53 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I'm just trying to figure out if there is a pattern here... Can anyone else confirm if they are able to use the "Purchase Upgrade" tab to buy-up to first on a ticket not purchased directly from United (corp TA or OTA)? The one ticket I purchased from UA has both options and seems normal, all non-UA purchased trips only have the "Redeem Awards to Upgrade" as an option (and even though waitlisted, the ability to use miles or a cert). At least a few weeks ago, if there were seats available in first, "Purchase Upgrade" was always an option on all itineraries. I am wondering if the only way to buy-up for non-UA issued tickets now is to call in?
Apr 12, 2018, 12:13 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Available upgrade space for miles but not $$
Flying ORD-DEN-ORD on United booked into W bucket.. Work does the booking (always coach) but I noticed on scouting the trip that discount first was not much more.. Usually this means I can buy up for ~90 once the trip tickets..
This time I go to upgrade and I can clear straight in with miles but buy up shows "Not available"... I have never seen this before.. Any ideas?
(Yes.. will probably come down to having to call)
This time I go to upgrade and I can clear straight in with miles but buy up shows "Not available"... I have never seen this before.. Any ideas?
(Yes.. will probably come down to having to call)