Jan 21, 2017, 10:27 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA will generally offer cash upgrades from any non-Basic Economy fare for UA operated flights, these can be offered:
- At the time of purchase
- Before travel in the itinerary view
- At check-in (computer, smartphone, airport)
- You can inquire with an agent anytime (including at the gate)
The price can vary, as it appears multiple processes are used -- occasionally yielding strangely high offers. Always cross-check on what the fare difference (up fare) might be and consider insteadBuy up to higher fare class w/o change fee? {GG BUYUP}
Awards tickets may be offered similar cash upgrade but generally only at check-in (Aug 2022 update, frequent reports of award ticket cash upgrade offers; at booking, after booking and check-in. Unclear under what conditions.
For Check-in offers, these can vary post initial check-in, so check back closer to departure.
Such upgrades will be eligible for all the benefits of a premium cabin ticket, UA makes no distinction on how a passenger premium cabin ticket was obtained.
Generally, fees for upgrades are non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel. If UA cancels or fails to provide the upgrade, the fees will be refunded. On voluntary changes, the agent may transfer to the changes flight but that is not standard policy.
True up-fares (ADD/COLLECT) are transferable if the appropriate inventory space is available.
PCU / Premium Cabin upgrade
Older term UFC / Upgrade First Class
Fees paid for upgrades now {2020) earn PQPs
Will the upgrade earn PQDs or bonus PQMs see the wiki of Some Paid Upgrades Count Towards PQD & mileage bonus and some DON"T!
On how pricing is structured, see A Comprehensive Look at Domestic First Class Monetization (FCM) on United
Previous Threads:
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
2016 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2015 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2014 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2013 "Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU)" Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
- At the time of purchase
- Before travel in the itinerary view
- At check-in (computer, smartphone, airport)
- You can inquire with an agent anytime (including at the gate)
The price can vary, as it appears multiple processes are used -- occasionally yielding strangely high offers. Always cross-check on what the fare difference (up fare) might be and consider instead
Awards tickets may be offered similar cash upgrade but generally only at check-in (Aug 2022 update, frequent reports of award ticket cash upgrade offers; at booking, after booking and check-in. Unclear under what conditions.
For Check-in offers, these can vary post initial check-in, so check back closer to departure.
Such upgrades will be eligible for all the benefits of a premium cabin ticket, UA makes no distinction on how a passenger premium cabin ticket was obtained.
Generally, fees for upgrades are non-refundable if you voluntarily cancel. If UA cancels or fails to provide the upgrade, the fees will be refunded. On voluntary changes, the agent may transfer to the changes flight but that is not standard policy.
True up-fares (ADD/COLLECT) are transferable if the appropriate inventory space is available.
PCU / Premium Cabin upgrade
Older term UFC / Upgrade First Class
Fees paid for upgrades now {2020) earn PQPs
On how pricing is structured, see A Comprehensive Look at Domestic First Class Monetization (FCM) on United
Previous Threads:
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
2016 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2015 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2014 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
2013 "Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU)" Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase (PCU) to Day of Departure (TOD)
Feb 28, 2024, 10:31 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,520
End of March business travel demand might be slow due to Easter holidays in EU.
Feb 29, 2024, 1:14 am
#137
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: Former UA1K transitioning to WFBF mentality
Posts: 815
[...] If you are talking about a UA codeshare of a LH flight, UA will not be offering an upgrade fee.
Change ticket stock is not really an option, that would take a new purchase, Changing the UA codeshare for a LH operated flight to LH flight number is different question
Instead an upgrade fee, one would have to do a fare change (up-fare) to be transferable.
Change ticket stock is not really an option, that would take a new purchase, Changing the UA codeshare for a LH operated flight to LH flight number is different question
Instead an upgrade fee, one would have to do a fare change (up-fare) to be transferable.
Feb 29, 2024, 5:42 am
#138
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 6,329
Because I prefer to be conscious and enjoy my champagne and food and video monitor and seat when I spend a lot of money or miles on a flight??? LIS-IAD.
Who wants to spend $5-$10,000 to sleep on a flight?
My husband can’t sleep on night flights so we won’t upgrade to Polaris night flight EWR-LHR unless Polaris upgrade price goes way way down. We’ll be fine in bulkhead Premium Plus.
Who wants to spend $5-$10,000 to sleep on a flight?
My husband can’t sleep on night flights so we won’t upgrade to Polaris night flight EWR-LHR unless Polaris upgrade price goes way way down. We’ll be fine in bulkhead Premium Plus.
Feb 29, 2024, 9:12 am
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,457
I don't want to spend $5,000+ to take a flight in the first place (and never have), but UA's seat is, by far, the best part of the Polaris experience.
Feb 29, 2024, 11:12 am
#140
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 6,329
If I want to go in Polaris from East Coast to Bali in December it’s going to cost me $5000 a person. If you know ways to find cheaper flights, I’m listening.
Feb 29, 2024, 11:28 am
#141
Flyertalk Evangelist, Moderator: United Airlines MlleagePlus
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,881
But if you have to fly directly to DPS without a ticket split, and "in December" actually means "during the Christmas holiday when everyone else wants to travel", and must fly on a non-TK *A carrier, and... that's the kind of inflexibility that makes you pay premium prices. The point jsloan is making is that some of us would just stay home - or fly somewhere else, or at a different time - instead of paying that.
You're not paying $5,000 to "sleep on a plane" - you're paying to get on the very specific flight on the specific day to the specific city you want to visit.
Feb 29, 2024, 11:29 am
#142
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium, LTP; IHG Platinum
Posts: 7,252
It is too early to book a flight in December. You may want to book it in late summer/early Fall, when price is dropped.
Feb 29, 2024, 3:02 pm
#143
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,814
Because some of us can't sleep when sitting straight up in a can of sardines 
.
All kidding aside, most of us here will not pay that for a flight and will book with points or use Plus Points to upgrade or find alternatives to still fly in J and get to enjoy Polaris whether it's to be wined and dined or to sleep in comfort, whatever your preference is.
.All kidding aside, most of us here will not pay that for a flight and will book with points or use Plus Points to upgrade or find alternatives to still fly in J and get to enjoy Polaris whether it's to be wined and dined or to sleep in comfort, whatever your preference is.
Feb 29, 2024, 3:30 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,457
All kidding aside, most of us here will not pay that for a flight and will book with points or use Plus Points to upgrade or find alternatives to still fly in J and get to enjoy Polaris whether it's to be wined and dined or to sleep in comfort, whatever your preference is.
-- is decidedly not. If someone is flying business class to enjoy the food and champagne, UA would not be my recommendation.
Feb 29, 2024, 5:39 pm
#145
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 6,329
There have been plenty of deals to the nearby CGK recently, and I see low-ish SV fares to the region right now (around $3,000 to BKK). It's very early to be booking a December trip without a good fare.
But if you have to fly directly to DPS without a ticket split, and "in December" actually means "during the Christmas holiday when everyone else wants to travel", and must fly on a non-TK *A carrier, and... that's the kind of inflexibility that makes you pay premium prices. The point jsloan is making is that some of us would just stay home - or fly somewhere else, or at a different time - instead of paying that.
You're not paying $5,000 to "sleep on a plane" - you're paying to get on the very specific flight on the specific day to the specific city you want to visit.
But if you have to fly directly to DPS without a ticket split, and "in December" actually means "during the Christmas holiday when everyone else wants to travel", and must fly on a non-TK *A carrier, and... that's the kind of inflexibility that makes you pay premium prices. The point jsloan is making is that some of us would just stay home - or fly somewhere else, or at a different time - instead of paying that.
You're not paying $5,000 to "sleep on a plane" - you're paying to get on the very specific flight on the specific day to the specific city you want to visit.
Holiday travel is expensive. I already knew that.
Feb 29, 2024, 6:23 pm
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,457
There's no problem with that. Who said that there was? Nobody is attacking you or your choices. We're just saying, most of us would not consider $5,000 on UA to be both the best option and the cheapest price, especially many months prior to departure.
Feb 29, 2024, 8:22 pm
#147
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 6,329
If $5000 pp for J is not reasonable to travel from East Coast to Bali at Christmas then what is reasonable? Because on some forums I’m told yes that’s reasonable. If someone has a better idea then I’m all ears. If there is a better time to book then when? 3 weeks before my trip? 3 months?
Feb 29, 2024, 9:03 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,179
I think I started my question earlier with “Is this a reasonable price for travel to a specific location at a specific time of year.” I was not asking for someone to book a flight for me. I was asking “do you know a cheaper or better way to accomplish my goal?”
If $5000 pp for J is not reasonable to travel from East Coast to Bali at Christmas then what is reasonable? Because on some forums I’m told yes that’s reasonable. If someone has a better idea then I’m all ears. If there is a better time to book then when? 3 weeks before my trip? 3 months?
If $5000 pp for J is not reasonable to travel from East Coast to Bali at Christmas then what is reasonable? Because on some forums I’m told yes that’s reasonable. If someone has a better idea then I’m all ears. If there is a better time to book then when? 3 weeks before my trip? 3 months?
Mar 1, 2024, 6:47 am
#149
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: Sixt Platinum, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,620
Instead of booking at the last minute, I booked mine about 11 months before the trip. I had to fly out of SNA, didn't want to drive up to LAX. Initially, it was SNA-FRA-IST-SNA but it was over $3,000 in Economy when I looked. I removed the FRA-IST part and made it a two open-ended trip. It dropped to $1,800 so I booked that and bought a one-way $120 ticket to SAW (cheaper airport in Istanbul).
Just like I do for hotels, I regularly checked United.com's My Trips then Manage Trip to see if I could snag a lower price.
Prices kept changing, soon, it was $2,400 in Premium Plus if I did SNA-SFO-FRA-ORD-SNA so I snagged that one, very happy with the deal, and was waitlisted on both ways to Polaris.
Sometimes it pays to tinker around with the itinerary. Doing SNA-FRA-SNA was $5,750 in Polaris, but I saw that if I did SNA-FRA then AMS-SNA, it'd be $3,000 flat in Polaris. I think having an itinerary that was initially open-ended made it possible for me to select the return city to SNA.
Another benefit of paying more for a confirmed Polaris seat is being able to pick 1L or 3L, my favorite spot. I hate the middle seats.
Of course, I had to buy another one-way ticket from SAW to AMS.. front row seat on Pegasus for $100.
No longer waitlisted, it's confirmed. I'm now one of the big boys. Moving on up, moving on up to the east side of a deluxe apartment in the sky...
Just like I do for hotels, I regularly checked United.com's My Trips then Manage Trip to see if I could snag a lower price.
Prices kept changing, soon, it was $2,400 in Premium Plus if I did SNA-SFO-FRA-ORD-SNA so I snagged that one, very happy with the deal, and was waitlisted on both ways to Polaris.
Sometimes it pays to tinker around with the itinerary. Doing SNA-FRA-SNA was $5,750 in Polaris, but I saw that if I did SNA-FRA then AMS-SNA, it'd be $3,000 flat in Polaris. I think having an itinerary that was initially open-ended made it possible for me to select the return city to SNA.
Another benefit of paying more for a confirmed Polaris seat is being able to pick 1L or 3L, my favorite spot. I hate the middle seats.
Of course, I had to buy another one-way ticket from SAW to AMS.. front row seat on Pegasus for $100.
No longer waitlisted, it's confirmed. I'm now one of the big boys. Moving on up, moving on up to the east side of a deluxe apartment in the sky...
Mar 1, 2024, 6:52 am
#150
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 6,329
I think maybe what's being said is that there's possibly a better value/more premium experience to be had on another airline, it's just too early to tell what airline it will be on. SQ, NH, CX, JL, EK, QR or other foreign or Asian airlines will offer a better experience at a potentially competitive price. I agree, $5k isn't bad for J especially if its the dates and connections/times you want. Personally I'd be looking to book later in the summer/early fall. There's many ways you could do it but google flights is easy to use to monitor prices.
Originally I was looking at Premium Economy then Business. The reason to book now is to get seats you want right now. More important in Premium Economy with limited seats and not as important in Business.
Problem with United is I fly RDU to west coast and get a Polaris seat with domestic service. I can’t find a use for my miles. All I see is waiting list.
Meanwhile Asian airlines are offering true business class for $5000 pp from East Coast to Singapore if not all the way to Bali.