Calling is a real pain in the a$$, as the automated person doesn't hear stuff correctly. Talk to an agent you say... well I did this recently and the agent messed up the upgrade so even though it looked good on .bomb, when 100 hours rolled by no automatic upgrade with NF9 on my flight. Had to call in and have them manually process the upgrade.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE .bomb ACTUALLY WORK.

Still having this problem
 

I have reported the same error to the 1K desk twice. It would be in UA's best interest to get this fixed because I need to call in each and every time for an upgrade.

My latest attempt is to have the prefix changed on my name to see if it will self correct. the name on my tickets booked online all have my name listed as: FIRSTNAMEMRS LASTNAME. Does anybody else see this problem?

Same thing
 

My reservation books the same way. FIRSTNAMEMR LASTNAME

I am convinced it is a problem with "MR" being added to my first name in the booking.

Some of mine have it, some don't, and I've had no trouble upgrading online. I'm sure it's more subtle than that.

Now I know why you guys call it .bomb
 

I called to see if an upgradable fare SFO to PEK was available. They said, no problem, tons of NC's available. The fare was in the $2000 range. I then went to the internet and put in "upgradable fares", and it was $5600. In addition, it said in big red letters, "The itinerary you've selected is not upgradable." Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. It's better just to call and not even waste time with the internet thing for complex procedures.

My bet is that the $5600 you saw included non-UA metal, or you selected the wrong "upgradeable fares" item - maybe you selected "Y/B"?

What are you upgrading with SWU?? or miles?? Just asking if upgrade space, NCx, is available just means you can use either. But SWU can be used on as low as W fare class but miles requires either H or B as the minimum fare class and the fares will vary.

He was looking for an H fare (see this thread).

What's better
 

Mahasamatman, Wht is the best way to upgrade? I am not 1k, so I do not have SWU. I am going to shoot for 1k next year. Is it easier to upgrade with miles or SWU? That is, which is more of a "sure thing" and which is more of "wait to see if it clears"?

Thanks very much.

For travel outside Region 1:

You can only upgrade C, D, Y, B, M, H with miles. SWU upgrades C, D, Y, B, E, M, U, H, Q, V, W. Both need NC/NF inventory and both can be confirmed at booking or anytime after.

As a 1K, it doesn't make any difference which you use. Though you might consider an SWU easier simply because you can upgrade on a cheaper fare (easier on your wallet).

Wonder if the requirement for middle name on tickets is going to mess things up further.

What requirement?

What if you dont' have a middle name?