I have searched through all the OLCI and upgrade threads, and can't find this specific topic.

I have an ORD-IAD-LHR flight on 13 Feb that departs at 6:00 a.m. Flight is on UA metal, but a BMI codeshare. Because of this, I know that I cannot request an upgrade using a SWU until the day of travel.

I have a flight from SEA-ORD on 12 Feb (not on UA). Is it possible to request this upgrade then in SEA? If not, should I try if I can find someone at the UA counter when I arrive at ORD? Or do I have to wait until I get to IAD?

If I want to upgrade, should I do OLCI or wait to check in at the airport? Not sure how it works with a codeshare.

I didn't even know you could upgrade BMI with UA SWUs. I thought that was a LH only deal?

I think the OP meant that it is UA metal with a BD flight number.

You should be able to check in and request the upgrade when you arrive at ORD the evening before.

I was able to do this at LAX the night before for LAX-IAD-CDG. They confirmed IAD-CDG and waitlisted me on the LAX-IAD leg. I was one of only two people who got upgraded at the gate... might have been due to the time I was added to DM (night before rather than a couple hours before).

You will have to bring bags back in the morning to check, but they did check me in and print my BPs.

UA at SEA might also be able to do this for you. In December I flew SEA-IAD-ATL-IAD-SEA on UA but booked as a US code share (and I'll never do it again)..but when I arrived at SEA to check in the very helpful agent at the counter not only confirmed my upgrade for that day SEA-IAD-ATL but they confirmed me in first ATL-IAD and waitlisted me IAD-SEA (ATL-IAD-SEA was a few days later)...something that I did not believe was possible. That leads me to believe if you get a good agent at any airport they can override this silly day-of-departure only rule on code shares and get you confirmed or at least on the wait list. I would certainly ask when your'e at SEA, but as the other poster said, you can also try at ORD.

I have an international ticket issued on a *A partner. The way I read this thread, I cannot use my Regional Upgrade to upgrade the UA operated domestic flight. However, I might be able to get an upgrade on the day of departure at the United check-in or gate. Is that right?

Once I called UA to put my MP# into the United record I was able to see my reservation in "my itineraries". However, it would not let me upgrade online. So, I assume I can try when I get to the airport.

In all honesty, I'm not sure that it is worth upgrading since I'll have access to all the lounges before and after the flight, so I'll get food there. Since I
do have economy plus seating, maybe I should just use the upgrades when I'm on a domestic itinerary sometime and don't have lounge access.