Upgrading refundable ticket
Feb 4, 2024 | 11:09 am
#1
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Upgrading refundable ticket
I'm looking at purchasing a refundable premium economy fare (LAX-Japan) and putting myself on the mileage upgrade list. In the event the upgrade clears, is the new ticket still refundable or does it lose that status? I notice under advanced search if I choose "fully refundable" and also request upgrade awards, it will only show the non refundable price.
Feb 4, 2024 | 11:24 am
#3
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Feb 4, 2024 | 11:34 am
#4
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OP - please note some things from the T&C of upgrades:
- If you cancel or change your flight, you also need to call your United Customer Contact Center, as the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be automatically canceled or changed.
- If you request to cancel your MileagePlus Upgrade Award, any miles and associated upgrade co-pays will be refunded, though a re-credit fee may apply
Bottom line is yes you can get your money back -- it just may take some time and a few calls on your part -- don't expect it to be automatic!
- If you cancel or change your flight, you also need to call your United Customer Contact Center, as the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be automatically canceled or changed.
- If you request to cancel your MileagePlus Upgrade Award, any miles and associated upgrade co-pays will be refunded, though a re-credit fee may apply
Bottom line is yes you can get your money back -- it just may take some time and a few calls on your part -- don't expect it to be automatic!
Feb 4, 2024 | 11:41 am
#5
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OP - please note some things from the T&C of upgrades:
- If you cancel or change your flight, you also need to call your United Customer Contact Center, as the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be automatically canceled or changed.
- If you request to cancel your MileagePlus Upgrade Award, any miles and associated upgrade co-pays will be refunded, though a re-credit fee may apply
Bottom line is yes you can get your money back -- it just may take some time and a few calls on your part -- don't expect it to be automatic!
- If you cancel or change your flight, you also need to call your United Customer Contact Center, as the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be automatically canceled or changed.
- If you request to cancel your MileagePlus Upgrade Award, any miles and associated upgrade co-pays will be refunded, though a re-credit fee may apply
Bottom line is yes you can get your money back -- it just may take some time and a few calls on your part -- don't expect it to be automatic!
Feb 4, 2024 | 12:25 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 662
Appreciate the replies--the "re-credit fee" seems to be the potential sticking point.
My ultimate goal for this trip is to use some expiring ANA miles to book seats in J--there's sporadic availability two weeks out for both NH and UA. (Although maybe not in May when I want to fly.) I'm planning to book refundable tickets as my Plan B in the event I can't book a late reward with the ANA miles. I'm okay with PE if that didn't happen (have a PE award on JL for the return, but need an outbound) and was hoping that if I put in for the upgrade and in the unlikely event it cleared a week or so in advance, I wouldn't be hosed if I cancelled.
My ultimate goal for this trip is to use some expiring ANA miles to book seats in J--there's sporadic availability two weeks out for both NH and UA. (Although maybe not in May when I want to fly.) I'm planning to book refundable tickets as my Plan B in the event I can't book a late reward with the ANA miles. I'm okay with PE if that didn't happen (have a PE award on JL for the return, but need an outbound) and was hoping that if I put in for the upgrade and in the unlikely event it cleared a week or so in advance, I wouldn't be hosed if I cancelled.
Feb 4, 2024 | 3:38 pm
#7
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You could still refund the ticket, but there may be a redeposit fee for the miles. UA's tinkered with its award fees since covid, many now waived, so I have no idea if that fee still actually applies.
Feb 4, 2024 | 3:39 pm
#8
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No UA mileage redeposit fee.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 4, 2024 at 4:14 pm Reason: UA
Feb 4, 2024 | 4:14 pm
#10
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Feb 4, 2024 | 6:03 pm
#11
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I'll report back in the unlikely event that both 1) the upgrade goes through and 2) I get some last minute award ANA award availability and end up cancelling the UA flight. Thanks all.