elfjets

I hoped this was simple, but then it wasn’t. I did search, but the posts found seemed to discuss the everything, but this specifically and I don’t want to lose out on a potential upgrade.

I am currently Silver. I have a flight upcoming in December to LIS to cross the line into Gold. I received an offer to upgrade the second leg of my return, which is LHR-ORD for 20,000 miles for PP ($100 air passenger duty fee) or 20,000 miles + $550 ($650 after air passenger duty fee) to Polaris Business. No waitlist for either and the seat selection looks good for both cabins, although I would be over the wing (767-200, 46/22/xx) on a window seat at best in Polaris.

I want to go for Polaris since I have never flown in this class before, and 9+ hours would be nice in a comfortable place, but I don’t see the ability to select a specific seat. I do not want to upgrade to end up in the middle seats. This is a day trip, so sunlight would be helpful to readjust time zones. Plus, I enjoy the window and Polaris would allow for me to not disturb anyone when I get up. That said, PP would be a new experience as well.

My questions:

1) Is the 20,000 + $650 a good/fair deal?
2) Will I be able to choose my seat after I accept the upgrade? Is there a delay in clearing even if there isn’t a wait list?

thanks

united 1k flyer

1) It depends how much 20,000 miles and 600 dollars are worth to you. If you look hard enough you can usually find a 2k RT P fare to Europe but then you would have to reposition to LIS.
2) yes

zombietooth

I consider it a fair deal to UG to Polaris and would take it myself, and UA miles are certainly worth less now, so it really isn't a bad offer. It's not a great deal though.

PP isn't worth it IMO. It is just a domestic F seat, but narrower, and the foot rests, leg rests are useless.

Also, if you are making a connection in ORD on the return, you get to use the Polaris Lounge while waiting for your flight, so that is nice.

Good Luck!

Kacee

Yes you'll be able to select any open seat. Unlike many airlines, UA allows free choice of any open PE or business class seat.

It would actually be a nice perk if they blocked some of the better ones for elites, as most international carriers do.

halls120

1). Yes
2). Yes

elfjets

ORD would be my final stop, so in that regard, I would miss the Polaris lounge. I was hoping that LHR would have theirs open by now, but it still seems to be a work in progress.

EDIT - If I wanted to upgrade through a normal upgrade, the seat would be $1521.

ani90

There are no 'middle' seats in Polaris on this route. Unless to are referring to the non-window seats? If so I would not let that be the deciding factor. All seats are great. Indeed in the new Polaris cabin some of the most spacious pods are in the center row.

BTW also check what they are asking for cash upgrade. I have an ex LHR flight in two weeks and got email yesterday asking only $621 for an upgrade to J (231 to PP) which is less than the 650 plus 20,000 miles (and wait-list) if I choose to upgrade with miles.

Aussienarelle

I like PP and choose to fly that myself.

It is a great experience to fly Polaris - be careful it makes it tough to be in Y going forward. 😉

I prefer using Polaris for the redeye flights as I want to sleep but others prefer it for the daytime flights as you get the service. Either way Polaris is a great experience and I would go for it.

Yes to both your questions.

elfjets

Yes, I meant the D/F seats. (I’ll get the various FT abbreviations down eventually.) I like the privacy of the odd-numbered window seats. If I wasn’t clear before, there was never a waitlist for this leg. The cash upgrade offer was $1321 for LHR-ORD J. Definitely wasn’t interested in spending that much, especially with miles to burn.

As a follow-up to the original posting, I decided to go for the J upgrade. The reviews for J on the 767-300 just looked really good. When I tried to upgrade online, I received an error with instructions to call Web Support when I tried to complete the payment. When I called in, they were able to select the seat I wanted in addition to completing the order. My new receipt shows I was only charged $550. No additional fee added.

ani90

If you originate in LIS (ex-uk) you do not pay the $100 air passenger duty

zombietooth

Good decision. I know you'll like the Polaris seat. It is well designed and comfortable. In addition, the experience up front is so much better, you'll never want to fly in Y again.

Welcome to the club!

elfjets

Then that was most likely the reason for the website error. My path home is LIS-LHR-ORD. LIS-LHR is on TP, but still on the same 016 ticket.

Well, thanks for the welcome! Happy to be here

I’ve flown in the front before, just not on an international flight. I haven’t flown a domestic carrier for a TATL flight in years for that matter. TK, EM, LH, KLM, all wonderful experiences overseas in economy. I live in E+ on UA domestic mainly due to work. Lots of travel and OPM spent this year, but only Silver so far. I’ll grow up to be like rest of the club eventually!

Thanks for the insight on this everyone!

findark

As long as you are scheduled for 24 hours or less in LHR, then you do not owe APD.