help with upgrades
May 29, 2009 | 1:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 10
help with upgrades
hey all
i recently gained premier associate status with ua and had some questions about upgrades. I know about selecting e+ but wanted to know what the process was for getting First Class. do I have to put in a request before the flight or to talk to the GA?
the one time i tried this she told me i couldn't upgrade even though there were about 7 empty seats.
thoughts, suggestions are much appreciated
i recently gained premier associate status with ua and had some questions about upgrades. I know about selecting e+ but wanted to know what the process was for getting First Class. do I have to put in a request before the flight or to talk to the GA?
the one time i tried this she told me i couldn't upgrade even though there were about 7 empty seats.
thoughts, suggestions are much appreciated
May 29, 2009 | 1:31 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: United 1K, Delta PM, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Gold, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 1,406
You have to have some sort of instrument to support the upgrade. Miles, e-500 certificates, etc... It isn't like US or Delta, with unlimited upgrades based on status. UA requires you to "buy" the upgrade with something.
May 29, 2009 | 1:31 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,825
UA doesn't offer complementary domestic upgrade like other airlines.
You need to support your upgrade with a certificate (or certificates).
You need to support your upgrade with a certificate (or certificates).
May 29, 2009 | 1:32 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,634
As a 3P, you can upgrade domestic flights using e500 upgrades. You earn four e500s for every 10K BIS miles you fly on UA or UX metal - each is good for 500 miles. For example, you'd need 4 e500s to upgrade a flight between 1550-2050 miles (UA gives a 50 mile cushion). You should be able to request upgrades on-line - sometimes they clear, sometimes they don't.
If you're flying on Y or B fares domestically, as an elite member you can be put on the complimentary upgrade list - these upgrades clear in a process similar to the e500s.
If you're flying on Y or B fares domestically, as an elite member you can be put on the complimentary upgrade list - these upgrades clear in a process similar to the e500s.
May 29, 2009 | 1:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
As a 3P, you can upgrade domestic flights using e500 upgrades. You earn four e500s for every 10K BIS miles you fly on UA or UX metal - each is good for 500 miles. For example, you'd need 4 e500s to upgrade a flight between 1550-2050 miles (UA gives a 50 mile cushion). You should be able to request upgrades on-line - sometimes they clear, sometimes they don't.
If you're flying on Y or B fares domestically, as an elite member you can be put on the complimentary upgrade list - these upgrades clear in a process similar to the e500s.
If you're flying on Y or B fares domestically, as an elite member you can be put on the complimentary upgrade list - these upgrades clear in a process similar to the e500s.
May 29, 2009 | 1:36 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,207
May 29, 2009 | 1:38 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 10
upgrades
much appreciated for the infor
might as well try and get that status on delta to get those automatic upgrades.
just figured flying out of ord that ua was the way to go
might as well try and get that status on delta to get those automatic upgrades.
just figured flying out of ord that ua was the way to go
May 29, 2009 | 1:39 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: No Loyalty to any airline
Posts: 2,378
hey all
i recently gained premier associate status with ua and had some questions about upgrades. I know about selecting e+ but wanted to know what the process was for getting First Class. do I have to put in a request before the flight or to talk to the GA?
the one time i tried this she told me i couldn't upgrade even though there were about 7 empty seats.
thoughts, suggestions are much appreciated
i recently gained premier associate status with ua and had some questions about upgrades. I know about selecting e+ but wanted to know what the process was for getting First Class. do I have to put in a request before the flight or to talk to the GA?
the one time i tried this she told me i couldn't upgrade even though there were about 7 empty seats.
thoughts, suggestions are much appreciated
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lines-faq.html
May 29, 2009 | 1:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,825
If you fly 100K miles or more, AA EXP also gets unlimited comp. domestic upgrade, so that might be an option.
May 29, 2009 | 1:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Mosaic 2, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Premium Cabin free agent
Posts: 850
If you fly any elite heavy routes and don't have at least gold or plat you are going to lose out on those upgrades because they are upgraded whether they want it or not. Whereas on UA the elites have to pick and choose which flights they want to upgrade so you might have a better chance getting upgraded. Just a thought. I would definitely do AA over DL if you don't like UA out of ORD. Tried to get a friend out of there on award miles once on DL and there were no direct flights to LAX had to connect.
May 29, 2009 | 3:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: No Loyalty to any airline
Posts: 2,378
May 29, 2009 | 5:22 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,634
