United flight to Cancun, upgraded to business... where is first?
Nov 28, 2011, 4:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
United flight to Cancun, upgraded to business... where is first?
Hello All,
I was just curiouos, I am a united Prem Ex member, wife and I are flying to cancun this saturday, (Dec 3rd) from SFO directly to CUN. Flight 0677. Should be an airbus A320. I used miles to upgrade. 20K each person on the way there. The upgrade cleared right away, and we got our seats. For some reason though it cleared to business class not first.
I always thought it a 2 cabin plane (3 if you can economy plus), coach and first.
Do they do this because it is an international flight, and they dont want to pass the international first perks along?
Also, should I have used my miles for the upgrade, or are these trips usually upgraded for free?
Thanks all!
I was just curiouos, I am a united Prem Ex member, wife and I are flying to cancun this saturday, (Dec 3rd) from SFO directly to CUN. Flight 0677. Should be an airbus A320. I used miles to upgrade. 20K each person on the way there. The upgrade cleared right away, and we got our seats. For some reason though it cleared to business class not first.
I always thought it a 2 cabin plane (3 if you can economy plus), coach and first.
Do they do this because it is an international flight, and they dont want to pass the international first perks along?
Also, should I have used my miles for the upgrade, or are these trips usually upgraded for free?
Thanks all!
Nov 28, 2011, 4:50 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Welcome to FT!
They sell it as Business, but you'll be seated in First on the A320.
ETA: Here are some threads you may wish to read..
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ss-mexico.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...weirdness.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-business.html
They sell it as Business, but you'll be seated in First on the A320.
ETA: Here are some threads you may wish to read..
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ss-mexico.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...weirdness.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-business.html
Nov 28, 2011, 4:52 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
Free elite upgrades apply on A320
International Business Class is CO branding for domestic F planes heading to the Carribean/Central America. There is no difference between these seats and domestic "F".
International Business Class is CO branding for domestic F planes heading to the Carribean/Central America. There is no difference between these seats and domestic "F".
Nov 28, 2011, 4:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Welcome to FT! UA has always done this..it's a practice unique to Mexican and (I believe) other Caribbean destinations. But it's just a normal 2 class domestic plane.
Nov 28, 2011, 4:56 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Thanks guys. But flying international business, I dont get a few of the perks that I was hoping for.. for example, at SFO, there is a specific line for international first. Also, international first I can bring 1 guest into the lounge with me. My wife and I are going with another couple, who are flying economy. Now we will not be able to bring them into lounge.
Also, next question, should I upgrade on the way back, or wing it and see if I get a free upgrade cleared?
Thanks for all replies!
Also, next question, should I upgrade on the way back, or wing it and see if I get a free upgrade cleared?
Thanks for all replies!
Nov 28, 2011, 4:59 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
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I think you are expecting too much for 20,000 miles.
This will be standard domestic "first" class. No guests unless Star Gold into the regular United Club (NOT the first class lounge)
This will be standard domestic "first" class. No guests unless Star Gold into the regular United Club (NOT the first class lounge)
Nov 28, 2011, 5:02 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
I understand it is a domestic first seat... that I have known all along. It is just the lounge access. So I am Star Gold.. can I bring people with me @ SFO? How Many?
Nov 28, 2011, 5:06 pm
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
First class +0
so if you are Star Gold and your wife is not, and you are both flying to CUN in "F", you can bring a total of three people including you two.
Nov 28, 2011, 5:16 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
I bought economy seats, and used miles to upgrade. Upgrade happens to be in business class, and not first as I originally thought. Currently in NC. Will those seats have any influence on lounge access?
Nov 28, 2011, 5:18 pm
#10
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Location: Canada
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Nov 28, 2011, 5:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
FWIW, even if it were called "first".. if only to Mexico the rules would be the same in terms of the number of guests. If your wife is also *G then you each can bring 1.. otherwise the other couple will have to flip a coin.