I just upgraded my United economy ticket from Denver to Sydney via LAX for business class and was surprised that it was 60,000 miles + $1,200 round trip. Is this the only way/cost to upgrade? I only expected it to cost miles (and more than 60K).
United Plus Upgrade from Denver to Sydney, Australia
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United has gone to a miles + copay system. Unless you buy a full coach fare, then it's just miles.
Is this the same for all MileagePlus stantus levels? Sort of wondering, if I obtain their new United Club Visa for $395 a year that gives you premier access services if this would due away with the co-pay.
No, being a premier you still pay the same amount. I'm a premier gold foever - a million miler - and I still pay those copays for upgrades.
Thanks Kathie.
On that route a one way upgrade from coach to Biz costs 30K miles plus a co-pay determined by the fare class of the coach ticket originally purchased. Co-pay fees range from zero for Y or B fares to $600 for the lowest coach fares. For RT double the figures.
Fees are outlined at http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/mileageplus/awards/travel/awardTravel.aspx
If you do some playing around with trying to book the various fare classes it usually - but not always - works out that the fare difference and additional co-pay about balance out. The problem is that if you purchase the higher coach fare and there is no upgrade available you are out the cost of the higher coach fare class and still have to sit sit in coach.
Only on travel from domestic US to domestic US and Caribbean, Mexico and some northern South America destinations is the co-pay for upgrades waived for Premier (elite) members. This is for program elites, not for affiliated credit card holders. Cardholders do get Premier Access services (designated check in and security lanes, priority boarding and baggage handling) but not the fee waiver.