Possible to pay upgrade to Premium Plus & then use PP / MUA to upgrade to Polaris?
Apr 19, 2022, 7:19 am
#16
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,417
That said, does the waitlist actually show correctly now? I seem to recall that when PP was rolled out it would show higher status pax on Polaris waitlist first, but they would get "jumped" by paying PP pax. (Happened to me - I had upgraded to PP but still waitlisted for Polaris and couldn't figure out why as #1 on WL people kept jumping me - they were paid PP)
Last edited by drewguy; Apr 19, 2022 at 7:25 am
Apr 19, 2022, 8:58 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, DL DM
Posts: 253
That said, does the waitlist actually show correctly now? I seem to recall that when PP was rolled out it would show higher status pax on Polaris waitlist first, but they would get "jumped" by paying PP pax. (Happened to me - I had upgraded to PP but still waitlisted for Polaris and couldn't figure out why as #1 on WL people kept jumping me - they were paid PP)
Apr 19, 2022, 12:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM; Bonvoy Titanium; most other FF programs...
Posts: 654
Small data point... I have done this a few times on Premium Transcon routes. I have booked economy, and then I am offered an "upgrade" to Premium Plus (which eventually shows up as a "Day of Departure" Upgrade in my activity). However, each time it HAS booked me into the actual PP fare class (despite activity below showing ZS), not the Upgrade class. And the receipt stated "Premium Economy Upsell". I was then able to apply Plus Points to upgrade to Polaris.
Not sure if it would be different on an international itinerary, but just wanted to share my experience on premium transcon in a similar situation.
Not sure if it would be different on an international itinerary, but just wanted to share my experience on premium transcon in a similar situation.
Apr 19, 2022, 2:56 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 32
Upgrades are done two different ways. They can book you into (O,A,R) where it is the same as if you bought that fare. (Often you are paying the fare difference) Or they can "upgrade" you. I forget the term for this, "up-fare". This is where you get put into RN. With the former, you can apply a PP and upgrade further. With the later, you cannot. The problem is, that when you get an upgrade offer it is very difficult / impossible to know which one. Since an "upgrade" is not refundable, you are gambling. This is where it helps to ask the agent ahead of time which bucket you will get put in.
Apr 19, 2022, 4:12 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
He says that web support told him he couldn't, but it's not clear that they understand the rules. I would specifically ask "What fare class does this upgrade book into?"
I think O,A,R are before economy regardless of status but there is an exception carved out for GS who are ahead of everyone no matter what.
There's a discussion and this in the "Understanding the upgrade list" thread but there is some uncertainty there as well. That thread also has a wiki which gives the ordering (and which may or may not still be accurate). What I wrote above matches the ordering in the wiki (for non-CPU-eligible flights)
How do you know the status level of the people on the list.
I think it goes by status first then booking class. I assume your above 1k in Y
I think it goes by status first then booking class. I assume your above 1k in Y
There's a discussion and this in the "Understanding the upgrade list" thread but there is some uncertainty there as well. That thread also has a wiki which gives the ordering (and which may or may not still be accurate). What I wrote above matches the ordering in the wiki (for non-CPU-eligible flights)
Aug 9, 2022, 8:36 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,211
This is all new to me as a new 1K, but for a future flight that I was able to get confirmed upgrades to PP outbound and am waitlisted for PP on the return, there are no options for me to use points to upgrade/waitlist to Polaris for either flight.
Aug 9, 2022, 8:59 am
#23
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,940
For your outbound, you need to call 1K lines to add the request for Polaris cabin.
Aug 9, 2022, 9:12 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,211
Aug 9, 2022, 10:03 am
#25
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: 66,769
It is still possible to get a cash upgrade offer for business on a confirmed PremPlus upgrade, best chance may be check-in
Dec 8, 2022, 2:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
I have four cases in the last month where we booked an economy award - paid $400 to upgrade to Premium Economy - and then used upgrade points (30) to upgrade to Polaris.
YMMV…
YMMV…
Jan 10, 2023, 11:30 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 339
Wanted to share a DP for my flight tomorrow. Currently, I am booked on a domestic flight that connects to a long haul international flight. W class for both legs. Originally waitlisted for both PremiumPlus and Polaris and looked at the list. Was #13 on the Polaris list and #6 on the PremiumPlus with both cabins having 4 seats available or less.
Looked at changing my ticket to a PremiumPlus ticket (where the first leg would book in B class and the second in R). Cost: $380. Looked at an upsell for the second leg only and that came out to $247. Pulled the trigger on the upsell, applied my waitlist again and I'm now #4 on the Polaris list. Looks like it booked into R class.
Looked at changing my ticket to a PremiumPlus ticket (where the first leg would book in B class and the second in R). Cost: $380. Looked at an upsell for the second leg only and that came out to $247. Pulled the trigger on the upsell, applied my waitlist again and I'm now #4 on the Polaris list. Looks like it booked into R class.
May 18, 2023, 8:17 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: IAH
Programs: Hilton Diamond; UA Gold; Marriott Gold; Accor Gold;
Posts: 232
I am hoping someone might be able to answer the below. I have a feeling that calling CS might be the best course, though.
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? Or I am looking at things incorrectly and an upgrade to J would cost me 20K and $800?
TIA!
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? Or I am looking at things incorrectly and an upgrade to J would cost me 20K and $800?
TIA!
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 18, 2023 at 9:03 am Reason: moved to subject thread
May 18, 2023, 8:55 am
#29
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: 66,769
I am hoping someone might be able to answer the below. I have a feeling that calling CS might be the best course, though.
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? ...
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? ...
Your original fare XN was ineligible for a mileage+copay upgrade, the cash upgrade made you eligible and has substantially improved your position on the waitlist.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 18, 2023 at 9:02 am
May 18, 2023, 8:59 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,858
I am hoping someone might be able to answer the below. I have a feeling that calling CS might be the best course, though.
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? Or I am looking at things incorrectly and an upgrade to J would cost me 20K and $800?
TIA!
My wife and 12 yo are traveling from EWR -BCN in early June. Originally it was an XN or N fare, I paid $375 per to upsell/upgrade to an R fare. The app upgrade system shows a rate of 20K miles and $425 per ticket to waitlist for an upgrade to J. My question is... if I choose to upgrade and join the waitlist, do I get my initial $375 back if the upgrade clears? Or I am looking at things incorrectly and an upgrade to J would cost me 20K and $800?
TIA!