Reserved a flight with United Airlines and are now unhappy with your assigned seat? Or want to score yourself an upgrade? There is nothing to worry about as the airline provides different kinds of upgrades among various fare classes. Keep reading the information below to learn about United miles upgrade, upgrade types, availability, the importance of elite status, how the upgrade waitlist works, and much more.
United Airlines Upgrade Seat: Types
The airline offers many options to secure a seat upgrade. Travelers can upgrade their air ticket with miles as a Premier elite member, book a full-fare economy ticket that can be upgraded immediately, or qualify for a complimentary upgrade. However, all the upgrades are subject to availability.
- MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Passengers can use miles for any United flight to apply for a seat upgrade.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades: Travelers are allowed to upgrade as a Premier elite member on United-operated domestic flights.
- Upgrade On Star Alliance Flights: You can upgrade with miles on certain Star Alliance network partner flights.
- Upgrade With PulsPoints: Passengers with Premier (1K and Platinum) membership can buy upgrades using PlusPoints on United and certain partner airline flights.
- United upgrade with miles: Miles can be used to upgrade on a Copa Airlines or United Airlines-operated flight.
- Instant Upgrades: As a Premier member or by buying an M fare as a Premier member, passengers can upgrade immediately when ticketing on the full-fare economy Y and B fares, subject to availability.
Can I Upgrade On United Airlines?
Indeed! United Airlines provides multiple options for upgrading, such as buying an upgrade using cash or credit card points, using frequent flyer miles, or getting selected for a complimentary upgrade depending on your fare class or elite status.
Passengers holding MileagePlus membership can use the miles to upgrade their seats to a higher class. You can also buy an upgrade with cash or credit card points. Moreover, travelers with elite status or expensive fare classes can be eligible for a complimentary upgrade. Remember, upgrades are subject to availability.
United Upgrade With PlusPoints
The airline allows its passengers to use PlusPoints to upgrade their flight booking. PlusPoints are the new currency that can be used to replace GPUs (Global Premier Upgrades) and RPUs (Regional Premier Upgrades) and upgrade flights. These points are the best way to enjoy the benefits of premium cabin seating. Also, you can use them to upgrade the eligible fares to First or Business Class on flights managed by United Express and United Airlines.
To upgrade United flight with points, passengers must have a confirmed flight booking and enough points in their accounts. You can request an upgrade via the United Airlines website or mobile app. The number of points needed for an upgrade depends on the cabin you want to upgrade and the length of the flight.
United Miles Upgrade
Passengers can upgrade their flight using miles (like United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles) while booking a flight ticket or on an existing reservation. Although this might not always offer the maximum value, the essential thing is that passengers can upgrade all fares using miles or miles plus a co-pay.
United Airlines has removed its award chart, so the passengers must search for their flights online via the official website or the United MIleagePlus X app to know how many miles are required for a given flight. Upgrades can vary from 5,000 miles for domestic routes to 100,000 miles for an international route in a premium cabin.
Can You Use United Miles To Upgrade Seats?
Anyone can upgrade with miles either while making a new reservation or upgrading the existing booking. However, the airline does not charge a co-pay from Premier members on select destinations, which makes it a better option when discounted business class fares are not beneficial.
Upgrade A New Flight Booking With Miles
To learn about United upgrade with miles and co-pays, you must head to the United Airlines website and select the Advanced Search option. Specify your preferred flight requirements, like date, departure, and destination. Then, choose the MileagePlus Upgrade Awards from the available options. If the flight you have booked has seats available, you will get different options like:
- Passengers might be able to upgrade their seats using miles. However, if they don’t have elite status, they can upgrade with a co-pay.
- You can also upgrade to the First Class from Business or to Business Class from Economy and more.
Upgrade An Existing Booking
If you need to upgrade an already booked flight to a premium cabin, you must directly approach the airline by phone or at the airport. Also, you can upgrade your booking online by selecting Redeem upgrade and then choosing from the available options:
- Buy a premium cabin upgrade.
- Use miles and co-pay for the upgrade.
- Use PlusPoints for an upgrade.
United Upgrade To Business Class
United Airlines offers a few options to passengers seeking a United upgrade to business class. However, these options can be restricted and might not be accessible for all flights.
- The first option is to use the MileagePlus miles. Passengers with sufficient miles or PlusPoints can visit the United Airlines website and choose the upgrade option for their booking.
- The second option is to become eligible for complimentary Premier Upgrades, which the airline provides depending on your frequent flyer program status and flight availability. You can also pay for an upgrade with a credit card or cash during check-in or at the gate.
United Airlines Upgrade To First Class
If you want to upgrade to First Class, some options are available. Passengers can use the travel points or frequent flyer miles to reserve a First Class seat. Also, you can secure an upgrade at check-in or the gate by requesting if any first-class seats are available. Remember, upgrades are generally awarded depending on availability and status level, so it’s essential to have elite status with the travel or airline during a less busy time to increase the chances of a seat upgrade. If nothing works, you can buy a First Class ticket.
How To Request For United Seat Upgrade?
The airlines offer different options to help passengers request an upgrade with ease. You can select any of the approaches and follow the instructions provided below.
Approach 1: Upgrade Seat Online (Through Website)
In order to upgrade your flight online, you need to follow these simple steps:
- First of all, you should head to the United Airlines website.
- Then, sign into your MileagePlus account using your credentials.
- Next, input your trip information, like date, city, etc.
- After this, choose the MileagePlus Upgrade Awards option from the available options.
- Lastly, you have to pick a seat and pay the required fee via miles.
Approach 2: Seat Upgrade Over The Phone
If you find the online mode daunting or confusing, you can choose the widely used offline approach. Just dial the United Airlines customer support number 1-800-UNITED-1 and place your request. Also, you can call +1-800-865-1848 (OTA) to get your issue fixed instantly.
- After dialing the number, wait for the IVR to respond and carefully follow the instructions.
- When connected with an executive, state your reason for the upgrade.
- Provide essential information like booking number and request for seat upgrade.
- You will go ahead only if your seat will be eligible for the upgrade.
Approach 3: United Upgrade At The Airport
This is another method to upgrade your seat. However, remember you must place your request at least 24 hours before the departure.
- You should reach the check-in counter or the ticket counter of United Airlines.
- Explain your situation and request the representative to upgrade your flight.
- Provides essential information like confirmation code.
- Depending on the availability, you will get an upgrade immediately.
How Do I Get On United Upgrade List?
Passengers can do a few things to improve their chances of getting on the United upgrade list. Let’s explore these strategies.
- First, you must ensure you have a United’s MileagePlus program membership. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits like the ability to earn and redeem miles for seat upgrades.
- You can reserve your flight ticket during off-peak time when seat upgrades might be more readily available.
- Passengers also inquire about available upgrades at the check-in or gate, as there are times when they become accessible at the last movement for different reasons.
- The other thing you can do is use cash or miles for upgrades.
Can I Determine Upgrade Space Availability With United Airlines?
Certainly! The simplest and quickest way to determine if seats are available for an upgrade is by searching for the tickets using United Airlines Expert Mode. However, firstly, you must activate this mode on your account by following these steps:
- First, launch the United Airlines website.
- Next, get into your MileagePlus account using the credentials.
- Then, you must access your Profile by selecting the option.
- Now, hit the Search Preferences tab and choose Expert Mode.
- Lastly, tap the Acknowledge & Save button to activate the expert mode.
Ways To Improve The Upgrade Changes With United Airlines?
To enhance your chances for an upgrade, there are a few things you can consider doing.
For Elite Status Members
- After obtaining Premier 1K or Platinum status, you can earn PlusPoints and use them to upgrade.
- Book a full-fare discounted Economy Class B fare or a Y fare class to get an immediate upgrade on specific flights. Passengers with a Premier 1K membership can purchase an M fare for a quick upgrade, subject to availability.
- Look for discounted Business Class fares before using the miles to upgrade from an Economy Class fare.
- Book an upgradeable flight ticket using United’s advanced search tool and select the MUA (MileagePlus Upgrade Award) option to look for upgradeable flights with miles.
- Reserve a higher fare ticket to enhance your chances of getting an upgrade.
- You can use the MileagePlus miles to book a First or Business Class ticket.
For Non-Elite Status Members
- You must check and compare the service class fares as First and Business fares occasionally provide cheaper fares than Economy Class.
- Purchase an upgradable flight ticket and use the frequent flyers and co-pay to get a higher-class seat if available.
- You can use MileagePlus miles to reserve a Business or First Class ticket.
- Make reservations during off-peak time.
- Use the United MileagePlus credit card to book.
Does United Airlines Provide Free Upgrade?
Following are some ways to get a free upgrade on United Airlines.
- Signing up for the MileagePlus loyalty program can allow passengers to earn elite status and complimentary upgrades.
- You must reach the airport early and ask for upgrades at the check-in or gate.
- Consider using the Frequent Flyer Miles or credit card points to buy an upgrade. Although it’s not completely free, it can be cost-effective.
Final Words
Reading the above guide must have helped you understand the United seat upgrade available for passengers and place an upgrade request. However, if you still have doubts or want to know more about “Can you use United miles to upgrade seats,” contact the airline’s customer service at 1-800-UNITED-1. Moreover, you can call +1-800-865-1848, a consolidation desk.
