Jimbo

Sorry in advance on this dumb question but I haven't purchased an e-fare in a long, long time. I know that historically, international e-fares have not been upgradeable with SWU's given the booking codes (T, I think). I was looking at efares for LAX-SYD and wasn't able to identify the booking code on the UA website. I think the answer is that international e-fares remain un-upgradeable with SWU's, but maybe some pigs do fly. Any help from those in the know out there??

Peace,
Jimbo

daslax

If the e-fare is W or higher, you can use your SWU.

See here for more.

oskidunker

I have a $150 voucher but every time I try to use it, I find an E fare about that much cheaper than what a reservationist will give me for domestic travel. Very frustrating that you can't use vouchers with e fares.

transpac

It used to be that International weekly e-fare specials had very specific wording that stated that they were not upgradeable, up front not in the fare rules.

I reviewed the International weekly e-fare specials rules many months ago and found this wording about 'upgradeability' was no longer included.

I assume now that the fare class is the deciding factor. So e-SWU's "... may be used on most United Business (C) or United Economy (Y, B, M, H, Q, V, W) booking classes. ...except when the terms and conditions of sale state that the fare is not eligible for upgrade. "

So if you purchase an International e-fare weekly special in CYBMHQVW, and there is no wording in the fare rules specifically excluding upgrades, you should be good to go?

randomman

Its called an E-Fare for a reason. All online means less human intervention...which means less cost to United. ^

flyinbob

In the case of your LAX-SYD e-fare, it comes out as an S fare basis, not upgradable with SWU but it is with mileage. Sometimes I have gotten Pacific e-fares that I have been able to use SWU on, but not those to Oz the last couple of weeks.

Lurker

REALLY???? I thought it was HMBY for miles. (But I could be wrong)...

Lurker

WindFlyer

Really?

I thought that only "H" and higher were upgradable with miles on international itineraries...

LGA_UAL

Internationally (South America, Europe, Japan, North Asia, South Asia, & Australia), only C,D,Y,B,M, & H can be upgraded with miles. 15,000 miles are required each way for Y & B fares. 30,000 miles are required each way for C,D, M, & H fares. While I am at it, within North America (50 States, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, & Central America), C,D, M, H, Q, V, W, S, K, L, T are upgradeable using 15,000 each way, while Y & B are upgradeable for 8,000 each way.

See http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1151,00.html for more information.