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)
Jul 14, 2024, 10:27 am
#346
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA Platinum/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,637
Jul 14, 2024, 10:31 am
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,471
Jul 14, 2024, 10:50 am
#348
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 68,336
Award Accelerator and most mileage sales are at 2 cpm.
so 30K miles plus $600 is about $1,200 equivalent. Half of the $2.399 cash offer.
$1,200 is $77/hour for business, an OK price for Polaris
Also I tend to look at offers by the round trip equivalent -- so the $2,399 offer (if available) is an $4,800 RT offer -- on top of $1,500 economy fare --- not much of a discount from purchasing business originally.
so 30K miles plus $600 is about $1,200 equivalent. Half of the $2.399 cash offer.
$1,200 is $77/hour for business, an OK price for Polaris
Also I tend to look at offers by the round trip equivalent -- so the $2,399 offer (if available) is an $4,800 RT offer -- on top of $1,500 economy fare --- not much of a discount from purchasing business originally.
Jul 14, 2024, 12:05 pm
#349
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,448
Showing $499 for XN -> PremPlus on LHR-IAH. I would have considered it at the standard $299 I usually see for TATL but not $499. I'll suck it up in coach since that's what I booked.
-RM
-RM
Jul 15, 2024, 11:49 pm
#350
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,863
Is this the reason UA does not show cash upsell price to us when we are waitlisted for upgrade?
In-App "Upgrade for Cash" offer makes a mockery of loyalty + miles
In-App "Upgrade for Cash" offer makes a mockery of loyalty + miles
Jul 21, 2024, 1:16 pm
#351
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,880
We originally had a trip booked in November from IAD-LAX-HKG and then changed to IAD-MUC, using points. Got the following offers for the former and current trip.
IAD-LAX-HKG
IAD-LAX PP to J $1009
LAX-HKG Y to PP $3850
LAX-HKG Y to J $4350
IAD-MUC
IAD-MUC Y to PP $379
IAD-MUC Y to J $4678
I think it is just too early to get a decent offer. The Y to PP for IAD-MUC is pretty solid but we have good seats in Y so I am inclined to just wait to get a reasonable offer for Y to J. I think $750 is my limit on that one.
IAD-LAX-HKG
IAD-LAX PP to J $1009
LAX-HKG Y to PP $3850
LAX-HKG Y to J $4350
IAD-MUC
IAD-MUC Y to PP $379
IAD-MUC Y to J $4678
I think it is just too early to get a decent offer. The Y to PP for IAD-MUC is pretty solid but we have good seats in Y so I am inclined to just wait to get a reasonable offer for Y to J. I think $750 is my limit on that one.
Jul 21, 2024, 2:02 pm
#352
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: IAD-DCA-BWI
Programs: UA, CSP
Posts: 21
We originally had a trip booked in November from IAD-LAX-HKG and then changed to IAD-MUC, using points. Got the following offers for the former and current trip.
IAD-LAX-HKG
IAD-LAX PP to J $1009
LAX-HKG Y to PP $3850
LAX-HKG Y to J $4350
IAD-MUC
IAD-MUC Y to PP $379
IAD-MUC Y to J $4678
I think it is just too early to get a decent offer. The Y to PP for IAD-MUC is pretty solid but we have good seats in Y so I am inclined to just wait to get a reasonable offer for Y to J. I think $750 is my limit on that one.
IAD-LAX-HKG
IAD-LAX PP to J $1009
LAX-HKG Y to PP $3850
LAX-HKG Y to J $4350
IAD-MUC
IAD-MUC Y to PP $379
IAD-MUC Y to J $4678
I think it is just too early to get a decent offer. The Y to PP for IAD-MUC is pretty solid but we have good seats in Y so I am inclined to just wait to get a reasonable offer for Y to J. I think $750 is my limit on that one.
I flew MUC-IAD in March on UA. Exact same $379 PP upgrade price. The J upgrade was $4321 (an easy amount to remember). I watched the price starting in early January and it never changed. If you aren't 1K or GS, to leverage the Y-class auto upgrade it might be worth it to go with PP, especially if you can score bulkhead. The PP seats have more recline and I've read that anything other than bulkhead makes it hard to get out of your seat when the person in front is reclined. If you can't get PP Bulkhead but you do have bulkhead (or exit row) in Y then IMO its not worth the extra money especially if its a daytime flight.
Jul 21, 2024, 2:09 pm
#353
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,880
I flew MUC-IAD in March on UA. Exact same $379 PP upgrade price. The J upgrade was $4321 (an easy amount to remember). I watched the price starting in early January and it never changed. If you aren't 1K or GS, to leverage the Y-class auto upgrade it might be worth it to go with PP, especially if you can score bulkhead. The PP seats have more recline and I've read that anything other than bulkhead makes it hard to get out of your seat when the person in front is reclined. If you can't get PP Bulkhead but you do have bulkhead (or exit row) in Y then IMO its not worth the extra money especially if its a daytime flight.
Jul 21, 2024, 5:23 pm
#354
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA Platinum/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,637
I flew MUC-IAD in March on UA. Exact same $379 PP upgrade price. The J upgrade was $4321 (an easy amount to remember). I watched the price starting in early January and it never changed. If you aren't 1K or GS, to leverage the Y-class auto upgrade it might be worth it to go with PP, especially if you can score bulkhead. The PP seats have more recline and I've read that anything other than bulkhead makes it hard to get out of your seat when the person in front is reclined. If you can't get PP Bulkhead but you do have bulkhead (or exit row) in Y then IMO its not worth the extra money especially if its a daytime flight.
Jul 22, 2024, 10:12 am
#355
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: UA 3.6 MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,584
No buy up offers on award tickets from other airlines
I posted this question a few pages ago and now have the answer. If you are traveling on UA metal on an award ticket that is not on 016 stock, you will not be offered a buy a premium cabin. It will indeed allow you to buy Economy Plus seating but not PP or Polaris.
Jul 26, 2024, 9:57 am
#356
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LAS
Programs: Hilton, Delta, Hyatt, MGM
Posts: 274
I am scheduled to fly from LAS to BKK in January and today I received a notice from United today saying that both flights have pretty major schedule changes. I also bought a $300 upgrade from E- to PP for my NRT to LAX flight. If I go to change flights, will that upgrade "stick" on the Japan to US flight or is it only the flight I have booked now?
Jul 26, 2024, 10:04 am
#357
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,471
I am scheduled to fly from LAS to BKK in January and today I received a notice from United today saying that both flights have pretty major schedule changes. I also bought a $300 upgrade from E- to PP for my NRT to LAX flight. If I go to change flights, will that upgrade "stick" on the Japan to US flight or is it only the flight I have booked now?
Jul 26, 2024, 10:10 am
#358
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LAS
Programs: Hilton, Delta, Hyatt, MGM
Posts: 274
Jul 26, 2024, 11:21 pm
#359
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,863
I forget - if I pay cash to upgrade a ticket at the upgrae page (where you have choices of money, miles or plus points), can I get the upgrade money refunded if I cancel the trip?
Jul 26, 2024, 11:30 pm
#360
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 68,336
T&Cs says no unless changes caused by UA. However, some have been successful in re-applying to an alternative flight or making other use. So cancel using an agent and see what can happen.