althom1122

I have enough miles (United) for two upgrades to business class. I'm planning a trip to Asia next year and would like to be able to upgrade myself and my travel partner using my miles. Is that possible or do I have to use the miles for myself only? Anyone had experience with this? Thanks!
Karen

Gardyloo

You can do both.

althom1122

Thanks so much. I looked on United's website and they had an offer whereby you could transfer miles from your account's to someone else's and I wondered if I needed to do that (although my sister doesn't have an account so would have to open one). But if I can use my miles for both our upgrades, that would be the simplest. Thanks!

DonTopaz

Keep in mind, Karen, that you can upgrade only certain types of economy fares to business class, the least expensive usually being an 'H' fare. Unfortunately, 'H' fares are usually more expensive than the least expensive economy fares. (For example, traveling in September, you can get a RT from Boston to HKG on United for $963. But if you want an upgradeable, H fare, it costs $1356.) Also, you can no longer use United miles to upgrade on other Star Alliance carriers to Asia.

On the other hand, the good news is that upgrade seats are usually a bit easier to find than are the regular award seats. If you do decide to buy an H fare, be certain that you can get the upgrade at the time you book the flight. If they offer to put you on stand-by for the seats, you may well wind up paying the higher H fare and not get the upgrade. Some upgrades do clear before the flight date. However, if you are on a waiting list and you do not have elite status with United, you will have elites move in front of you on the wait list forsimilar types of upgrades.

Jack

For upgrading to Asia, the economy fares allowed to upgrade to the next class of service are Y, B, M and H.

tomassocroccante

In the past I was able to PAY to upgrade a FF coach seat to 1st Class. Do you know if that is ever done now? It was a peculiar circumstance - something to do with it being the only way to return the entire week. It was not expensive, as I remember. It seems that the only FF seat they had all week was in 1st, though I was short the mileage needed. They let me "pay up" so to speak. At that point, it was the only way to make my trip happen, as most flights were sold out (Caribbean in winter.)

althom1122

Thanks for the additional info - I'll be sure I understand all the details when we get ready to book.
Karen

mrwunrfl

You can give an upgrade award to anyone using miles from your account. That's your $0 option

Transferring the miles would be a bad idea. You'd be able to transfer only 15,000 miles and it would cost $185 to do it! I suppose you could do another transfer of 15,000 next year for another $185 fee. That's your $370 option.

The following post at flyertalk explains how to check for award availability:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113792

Basically, you go to united.com and look for STANDARD award availability. Mouse over the "Show flight details" and see the availability by booking code.

You would be looking for NC2 availability (or higher: NC3 to NC9) on the trans-Pacific and inter-Asian flights.

For your domestic leg, if any, you would want to see NF2 or higher for first class since few domestic UA flights have business class.

After you book your tickets you can do the upgrade online and if there is availability and you have the miles then the upgrades should clear immediately. Do seat selection at that time too.

You can, of course, call and have it done for you.

United still allows you to get a refund for tix within 24 hours of purchase. So if there is mistake and you don't get the upgrades right away then you can undo it.

althom1122

Thanks for the detailed response - that'll be a great help!