I've seen those SWU certificates being "gifted" with purchase of an envelope on eBay. Do these actually work/worth the money, or is this something that would likely get my hands slapped if I showed up with it at the airport?

United has me a bit confused as well ... they were telling me the only way I can upgrade from an H class is a SWU or milage, but it doesn't say anything about H class. Will these or won't these work?

I figure if I have to pay money for an upgrade (in the form of a milage xfer), I might as well see if I can avoid using miles.

Thanks,

Super

Superguy, do a search. The eBay envelopes have been discussed zillion of times. In short, they are against company regulations (though not illegal), expensive, and risky. You may be forced to pay full fare, your acount may be terminated, etc.

risky - to me that's the main message, I've never had the guts to try.

Count me in the group that would never bid on this. IMO, I support the expulsion of any individual selling these Envelopes.

I did do a search. I've been to enough forums to know to do that first.

Just gathering thoughts, that's all.

If you have something of equivalent value (not cash!) you can attempt to trade for one in Coupon Connection.

There have been numerous threads discussing this topic and, as I had mentioned before, the purchase/sale of SWU's via "envelope sales" is as much against the airlines rules as the BARTERING of SWU's (a la FT's Coupon Connection). Both of these activities MAY result in the various penalties already mentioned.

Reading through some of those auctions, you may have noticed the seller emphasizing that you NOT mention how you actually obtained the SWU -- you're "suppose" to say that it was GIFTED to you, which (in either the Ebay sales case or the Coupon Connection bartering case) is untrue. Here lies the true nature of your dilemma -- are you willing to "lie" in order to sit in the front of the bus? Theoretically, UA will have no PROOF against you unless they have direct evidence of the sale/trade (via emails supplied by ebay or some self-appointed MP cop).

I neither condone nor condemn either practice, but personally would not risk the possibility of paying/trading for an upgrade only to find out at check-in that I don't actually have an upgraded seat and I lost my original E+ seat in coach and was arbitrarily assigned to some middle seat in E-.

Don't worry like the nervous nellies here in the UA forum. I am a 1K and I have bought SWU's from Ebay and used them with no problem. People always talk about the consequences of getting accounts revoked or losing upgrades and such but very few seem to know of someone who did. Sort of like an urban legend, save for a few rare instances. Someone will of course tell you about that "ONE" friend or friend of a friend they know who got screwed but given the hundreds of SWU's being unloaded every month on Ebay, I will take my chances.

As far as using Ebay goes I tend to avoid the guys who are obvious ticket or mileage brokers, they usually have like +500 feedbacks. I tend to buy from the guys that you know are 1k's looking to get rid of their SWU's, they don't have any negative feedback but they don't have a 100 or more items they sold in the travel section.

Now THAT is good advice!