Search isn't working for me unfortunately, so here goes:

When last checking in at the Chicken around 6 months ago (my flying goes in spurts), I think the machine asked me what upgrade instrument I wanted to use, regional certs or 500-milers. This although I'd already indicated my choice soon after making the reservation.

Is it possible to confirm an upgrade with CR-1s or miles, then switch to 500-milers on checkin or before? It seems clear that this is do-able before the 100-hour mark (1Ks), how about after, and especially at check-in?

Thanks.

In my experience the Chicken lets you substitute a more valuable instrument but not a less valuable one. If you used a confirmed instrument, it won't let you change to 500 milers. But if you requested with 500 milers, you can substitute a confirmed instrument. At least that is what I recall.

Charles

I believe it depends on when your upgrade cleared. If you were able to confirm the upgrade at the time of booking with a CR1 that's what you'll be required to use. But if you were waitlisted for the upgrade and didn't clear until the day of flight, you can choose to use 500 milers. At least that has been my experience.

a

Another scenario. I am flying GRU-ORD-SFO. I initially tried to apply SWU for the full journey. ORD-SFO cleared but GRU-ORD was waitlisted. I have read enough here to surmise that I could be at high risk of losing the SWU for the domestic leg if GRU-ORD did not clear. I called to pull back the SWU and a nice CSR waitlisted me for only the GRU-ORD portion using the SWU.

Question: Can I request e500's for ORD-SFO now and pull them back to use the SWU if the GRU-ORD leg clears?

Thanks all for your incredible willingness to share hard earned knowledge.

a

If it were me I would leave the swu for the international trip on the wait list but I would also try to use a cr1 for the ord sfo trip if you have extra's to spare. If the swu clears, you can change the upgrade instrument for the ord-sfo portion - assuming it clears with the cr1

a

Thanks, nigos. I only supplied partial info. The ORD-SFO leg is a Saturday am on a 767 that is looking real empty up front. Therefore, I thought the e500's would be pretty certain to clear.

a

The system used to let you do that -- confirm w/ a CR-1, then switch to 500 milers at check-in. Even though UA can't get its website to work properly, they did figure out how to prevent this.

If you confirm w/ a CR-1, it will take a CR-1.

a

Whether I were to use a cr1 or e500, can I get them redeposited if the SWU for the international segment clears?

Thanks.

a

I think that if all your segments clear before checkin you would be able to just use the SWU. e500s aren't removed from your account until checkin, and as you could support the entire trip with the SWU the e500/CR1 would not be needed.

So, as far as I know, you wouldn't need them redeposited if you used e500s as they would never leave.

If you used a CR1 it would take the CR1, as it is a confirmable instrument. So if its looking rather premium cabin light I would use the 100hr window and confirm with e500s, then you can just support it with the SWU if the international leg clears.

Will do. Tak!
a

I tried to use those paper 1000 miles Visa card upgrade certs. Originally, I had requested a e500 upgrade, but I read a thread on here about about the Visa certs. In the thread, I learned that I should call on the phone to use the Visa upgrade. Well, I called and told India that I wanted to request a paper upgrade.

Forward to Sunday. I check-in through US at PHL as I'm on US for PHL-CLT and UA CLT-PHL. I get boarding passes for both segments. I want to use the paper certs, here but I figure the agent won't know what to do. Also, the US agents there seemed rude and and I was getting checked in while this guy was yelling at the other agent about her attitude problem.

I figure I'll go talk to the UA agent in CLT. The CLT-PHL was delayed so when I get to the UA gate, they are about to start boarding. I get in line to see about the certificates, but there are about 10 people in line trying to get standby and other problems sorted out. I get sick of waiting and for some reason, I'm afraid I might get pulled off the list, so I decide to just board.

Should I have waited and tried to solve my certificate problem there? Do I have a chance of getting them to use these certificates instead of the e500's? (I mean is it worth writing them to try to get them to do this.) These certificates are a pain as you have to call to use them to upgrade ,and it seems to be hard to get them to collect it. I figured they'd call me up and ask me for my paper certificate to support my requested upgrade.

I guess if this doesn't work out, I can try e-mailing chase for replacement certificates. (Mine expires next month.) The Visa cert thread says people have been successful with getting new certificates.