Author Topic: United Upgrade  (Read 1134 times)

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
United Upgrade
« on: April 26, 2017, 10:47:22 AM »
United is offering an upgrade on my flight from L class (economy) to J for 20k miles + $250 (standby upgrade). Is this a good deal? I paid $184 for ticket, and J flights that date on any carrier are about $1,100, with no saver J available. Is this a good deal? Are my chances of actually clearing on this upgrade better, or worse than on a "Plan B"?

Also, do any UA upgrade certificates work ? The option is currently grayed out, but I'm not sure if that's because it's unavailable, or because I don't have any.

Offline as2

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 5671
  • Total likes: 917
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: United Upgrade
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2017, 10:50:53 AM »
A route might help... This can be a great deal for an international flight.
Memories last forever, make them while you can.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: United Upgrade
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2017, 10:57:41 AM »
A route might help... This can be a great deal for an international flight.
LAX-EWR.

Based on my calc, total value comes out to 3.1 cpm. ($1059 cash price for J - $184 original ticket price - $250 upgrade cash fee) = $625 savings for 20k miles. So I'm paying 20k miles for $625.  However, I don't currently have any miles in my UA account, so I'd need to transfer from Chase, which I wouldn't want to do if there's a better way to upgrade, or a 0% chance of this actually clearing.


Offline elya

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 2378
  • Total likes: 96
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: United Upgrade
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2017, 12:37:04 PM »
LAX-EWR.

Based on my calc, total value comes out to 3.1 cpm. ($1059 cash price for J - $184 original ticket price - $250 upgrade cash fee) = $625 savings for 20k miles. So I'm paying 20k miles for $625.  However, I don't currently have any miles in my UA account, so I'd need to transfer from Chase, which I wouldn't want to do if there's a better way to upgrade, or a 0% chance of this actually clearing.
Check how many seats are available in the lower biz fare classes (P), that should give you an idea if R (upgrade) space will open up.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: United Upgrade
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2017, 08:57:31 AM »
Are these upgrades prioritized based on how far in advance one signs up? Or is it just based on status (which I don't have) or fare class (of which I'm not in full-fare)?

If it's the same, I'd look at fare class availability 2-3 days out and transfer points then if it looks promising.

Offline ruv

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Oct 2017
  • Posts: 181
  • Total likes: 29
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: United Upgrade
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2018, 04:47:04 PM »
I’m looking into booking an upgradable ticket on UA 90 sep 5 and UA 91 sep 12. I have no status. Does anyone know if I have any chance or it’s a waste of time? TIA.
@nafnaf12 telegram is good? ;)