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.

A mileage upgrade does not affect refundability.

That's just a search engine limitation. Do it as two separate transactions - ticket purchase, then request upgrade.

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!

Good point. I seem to recall the fee applies if the upgrade clears. But it's become so hard for nonelites to clear upgrades, it hasn't come up for a while and I'm not sure what the current policy is (noting that UA's made it incredibly difficult to find all the applicable T&Cs).

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.

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.

No UA mileage redeposit fee.

I always though ANA had a re-deposit fee. Did that change?

Sorry I was referring to UA, have clarified that

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.