Jan 8, 2024, 11:01 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, Pat89339, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
Generally, there are no long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2023]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2022]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2021]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2020]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2019]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2018]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2017]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, Pat89339, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
- Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to a new / existing thread if appropriate.
- Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.
Generally, there are no long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2023]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2022]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2021]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2020]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2019]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2018]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2017]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2024]
Jan 13, 2024, 3:20 pm
#46
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
...
I have a question about upgrading an international Premium Economy (R fare) flight. My status is UA Gold and I don't have Plus Points to use. The flight I am thinking of booking is between ICN and SFO. According to my quick check, upgrading requires $450 co-pay plus 30K UA miles. Did I get it right?
Other questions are as follows:
I don't have enough miles in my UA account now. But I can trasfer miles from my Chase account anytime. Can I still request an upgrade without enough miles in the UA account? ...
I have a question about upgrading an international Premium Economy (R fare) flight. My status is UA Gold and I don't have Plus Points to use. The flight I am thinking of booking is between ICN and SFO. According to my quick check, upgrading requires $450 co-pay plus 30K UA miles. Did I get it right?
Other questions are as follows:
I don't have enough miles in my UA account now. But I can trasfer miles from my Chase account anytime. Can I still request an upgrade without enough miles in the UA account? ...
While there is a chance this may clear, depending on the day of the week, but if you do clear, it will be most likely the day of travel.
Jan 13, 2024, 3:46 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,517
I would appreciate if anyone can help me with the following questions.
I have a question about upgrading an international Premium Economy (R fare) flight. My status is UA Gold and I don't have Plus Points to use. The flight I am thinking of booking is between ICN and SFO. According to my quick check, upgrading requires $450 co-pay plus 30K UA miles. Did I get it right?
Other questions are as follows:
1. I don't have enough miles in my UA account now. But I can trasfer miles from my Chase account anytime. Can I still request an upgrade without enough miles in the UA account?
2. How close in to the flight do these upgrades usually clear? My concern is that if it's too close, say like at the boarding gate, I might not be able to do the necessary mile transfer. I never logged into my Chase account from overseas and I don't know if it could trigger some security issues.
Thank you.
michaelmorio
I have a question about upgrading an international Premium Economy (R fare) flight. My status is UA Gold and I don't have Plus Points to use. The flight I am thinking of booking is between ICN and SFO. According to my quick check, upgrading requires $450 co-pay plus 30K UA miles. Did I get it right?
Other questions are as follows:
1. I don't have enough miles in my UA account now. But I can trasfer miles from my Chase account anytime. Can I still request an upgrade without enough miles in the UA account?
2. How close in to the flight do these upgrades usually clear? My concern is that if it's too close, say like at the boarding gate, I might not be able to do the necessary mile transfer. I never logged into my Chase account from overseas and I don't know if it could trigger some security issues.
Thank you.
michaelmorio
You have to submit the request to have a chance at upgrading, but be mindful any miles transferred cannot be reversed to Chase if your upgrade request does not clear.
Jan 13, 2024, 4:23 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YEG
Posts: 25
Quick maybe dumb question but figure this would be best place for it. Flying YEG-DEN-SJU on January 17th in first class. Pretty tight connection was wondering if United could/would change the first leg leaving YEG 300pm on the 16th. Wasn't worried about the connection until the weather took a turn for worse up north. Any chance they would do this for just a change fee or am I SOL.
Thanks in advance appreciate any input.
Thanks in advance appreciate any input.
Jan 13, 2024, 5:00 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Is it possible to combine one segment booked with miles with another booked with cash? By combine I mean in any logical way that means I have no trouble checking in etc since of course both segments would be on UA just purchased separately.
Since I don’t feel confident I’d get an upgrade on the waitlist from Economy to Business. I have no status.
Say
RDU-EWR-SFO-EWR-RDU Premium Plus award
SFO-DPS-SIN-SFO Paid ticket with $$$
My other option is Singapore Premium Economy but I’m not convinced that is as nice as Premium Plus. My first PP flight is in May and this would be in December.
Since I don’t feel confident I’d get an upgrade on the waitlist from Economy to Business. I have no status.
Say
RDU-EWR-SFO-EWR-RDU Premium Plus award
SFO-DPS-SIN-SFO Paid ticket with $$$
My other option is Singapore Premium Economy but I’m not convinced that is as nice as Premium Plus. My first PP flight is in May and this would be in December.
Jan 13, 2024, 5:02 pm
#50
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Quick maybe dumb question but figure this would be best place for it. Flying YEG-DEN-SJU on January 17th in first class. Pretty tight connection was wondering if United could/would change the first leg leaving YEG 300pm on the 16th. Wasn't worried about the connection until the weather took a turn for worse up north. Any chance they would do this for just a change fee or am I SOL.
Thanks in advance appreciate any input.
Thanks in advance appreciate any input.
If you present flights meets the minimum connect time or there is no travel waiver, this would be a voluntary change. UA does not have change fees but the fare would be re-calculated.
You can hope for a weather waiver.
Unless you have UA status, Same Day Change is not an option but Standby is (and is free).
To a day earlier -- standby is not an option unless you hit a very generous airport agent. and not likely in first, as all upgrade waitlisters are cleared first and then standby.
Jan 13, 2024, 5:10 pm
#51
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
You can check thru bags across two separate PNRs, either UA-UA or UA-SQ as long as no Basic Economy segments
Jan 13, 2024, 5:10 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,517
Is it possible to combine one segment booked with miles with another booked with cash? By combine I mean in any logical way that means I have no trouble checking in etc since of course both segments would be on UA just purchased separately.
Since I don’t feel confident I’d get an upgrade on the waitlist from Economy to Business. I have no status.
Say
RDU-EWR-SFO-EWR-RDU Premium Plus award
SFO-DPS-SIN-SFO Paid ticket with $$$
My other option is Singapore Premium Economy but I’m not convinced that is as nice as Premium Plus. My first PP flight is in May and this would be in December.
Since I don’t feel confident I’d get an upgrade on the waitlist from Economy to Business. I have no status.
Say
RDU-EWR-SFO-EWR-RDU Premium Plus award
SFO-DPS-SIN-SFO Paid ticket with $$$
My other option is Singapore Premium Economy but I’m not convinced that is as nice as Premium Plus. My first PP flight is in May and this would be in December.
You can't combine two different itineraries.
Last edited by Repooc17; Jan 13, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Jan 13, 2024, 5:18 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YEG
Posts: 25
To the 6AM?
If you present flights meets the minimum connect time or there is no travel waiver, this would be a voluntary change. UA does not have change fees but the fare would be re-calculated.
You can hope for a weather waiver.
Unless you have UA status, Same Day Change is not an option but Standby is (and is free).
To a day earlier -- standby is not an option unless you hit a very generous airport agent. and not likely in first, as all upgrade waitlisters are cleared first and then standby.
If you present flights meets the minimum connect time or there is no travel waiver, this would be a voluntary change. UA does not have change fees but the fare would be re-calculated.
You can hope for a weather waiver.
Unless you have UA status, Same Day Change is not an option but Standby is (and is free).
To a day earlier -- standby is not an option unless you hit a very generous airport agent. and not likely in first, as all upgrade waitlisters are cleared first and then standby.
Jan 13, 2024, 5:26 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 185
I am thinking of flying on either Monday or Tuesday. How these days of the week sound?
michaelmoiro
Unless there are positive upgrade spaces, your upgrade request will be waitlisted, and there are no guarantees the request will clear. Upgrade clearing vary based on a lot of factors - see upgrade priority on UA site and your flight's specific inventory.
You have to submit the request to have a chance at upgrading, but be mindful any miles transferred cannot be reversed to Chase if your upgrade request does not clear.
You have to submit the request to have a chance at upgrading, but be mindful any miles transferred cannot be reversed to Chase if your upgrade request does not clear.
There are no award or upgrade space for me (UA Gold) available for the flights I am looking at. It's one month out and biz occupancy is fairly light as well as overall all-class booking. Do UA accept all upgrade requests till the last biz class seat on board?
michaelmorio
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 13, 2024 at 5:58 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Jan 13, 2024, 6:03 pm
#55
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Chances are poor for a gold but not impossible
Jan 13, 2024, 6:51 pm
#56
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 185
Jan 14, 2024, 4:29 pm
#57
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 3
Hi United Sages,
So due to a variety of factors, what was to be an award Air Canada flight to Japan for the marathon is now IAD-SFO-PPT with the wife for the 10th anniversary (or 90th pandemic-time-adjusted). It’s 787-8 the whole way and we are booked in X via Aeroplan (not ideal but lemonade from the lemons of an injured knee). I can’t upgrade to PE or Polaris now on the United site - is this something I’ll likely be able to do at check in with cash/credit/spare kidneys? Flight is late February.
I do have an economy plus subscription so I was able to nab the premium-plus-but-not-premium-plus purple seats for the IAD-SFO portion. I’d love to be able to upgrade the SFO-PPT legs but I don’t see a way to do that until game time. I’m afraid my mileage plus status is only member at the moment.
So due to a variety of factors, what was to be an award Air Canada flight to Japan for the marathon is now IAD-SFO-PPT with the wife for the 10th anniversary (or 90th pandemic-time-adjusted). It’s 787-8 the whole way and we are booked in X via Aeroplan (not ideal but lemonade from the lemons of an injured knee). I can’t upgrade to PE or Polaris now on the United site - is this something I’ll likely be able to do at check in with cash/credit/spare kidneys? Flight is late February.
I do have an economy plus subscription so I was able to nab the premium-plus-but-not-premium-plus purple seats for the IAD-SFO portion. I’d love to be able to upgrade the SFO-PPT legs but I don’t see a way to do that until game time. I’m afraid my mileage plus status is only member at the moment.
Jan 14, 2024, 4:54 pm
#58
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: 52,140
You should be able to book Economy Plus seats for all United segments. Note that Economy Plus is not the same as Premium Plus. Premium Plus is a separate cabin with improved seats and service standards, while Economy Plus is just a bit more legroom in the Economy cabin.
Jan 14, 2024, 4:56 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
True, but if the 787 sticks on IAD-SFO, since that market doesn’t have Premium Plus, OP is quite correct that an E+ subscription allows you to select those seats if available.
Jan 14, 2024, 5:04 pm
#60
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
It's hit or miss. Sometimes an upgrade will be offered for sale immediately after booking, sometimes at check-in, and sometimes not at all. Presumably there's a rationale on the UA side, but on the consumer side it's not transparent at all.