United Airlines MileagePlus Upgrades Eligibility and Types

united airlines upgrade

Booking a flight and upgrading it with United is not a difficult task anymore. The airline has worked hard on its services and made a really easy booking, & upgrade process. Not only this, but it also made everything much easier, from checking the flight status to getting a refund for your canceled flight. If you have already booked a flight and are looking for the United Airlines Upgrade process, you’ve landed on the right page. 

Additionally, passengers carrying premium United Airlines MileagePlus memberships will be getting some better options to upgrade their flights. It’s not impossible but you have to make some effort to find the best ways to get your favorite seat without any hassle. This guide will help you do the same without even visiting the airport, and you’ll be aware of the eligibility criteria and other important things in no time.

How To Get an Upgrade on United?

United Airlines offers several ways for a traveler to get an upgrade. One of them is to get an upgrade through the MileagePlus Awards. So, if you are holding a MileagePlus membership, follow the below-mentioned steps to make it happen:

  • Visit the official website of United Airlines.
  • Log in to your MileagePlus account.
  • Find the Advance Search settings.
  • Select the “MileagePlus Upgrade Awards” to get an upgrade without any problem.

Note: The airline always puts MileagePlus members on priority to provide them with an upgrade. 

Upgrade for Existing Reservation!

If you have already booked a flight with United Airlines, there are a total of 3 ways through which you can get an upgrade. It includes MileagePlus Upgrade, call the desk staff, or head to the airport check-in counter to connect with an agent. 

If you want to upgrade through a MileagePlus account, you can follow the above-mentioned steps as it is to make it happen quickly, without any hassle. Alternatively, you can either call the Premier Priority desk number and ask for the same or visit the airport to directly connect with any of the check-in desk agents for a better resolution. 

United Airlines Upgrade Benefits!

Traveling in an Economy Class can be boring sometimes. Same seats, familiar cabins, etc. But, if you upgrade to United, it will give you an amazing and elegant flying experience. This usually occurs because you get a lot of additional benefits just by upgrading your United Flight. The airline offers different upgrades to the passengers holding different memberships. 

Booking Benefits!

If you Upgrade to Premier Silver, you’ll be getting 7x fare bonus award miles. You can also get the confirmed flight change facility even if it’s within 24 hours of flight departure. Additionally, some other benefit includes free access to Economy Plus, selection of seats, priority travel services, and much more. No matter if you are traveling solo or booking a flight for a large group, United Upgrades will be always beneficial for every traveler. 

Airport Benefits!

Having an upgrade will allow you to get the priority check-in facility, baggage handling, and priority boarding. All of these will help you save a lot of your time. 

Accommodation & Other Benefits!

Passengers having United Airlines upgrades will be eligible to get exclusive benefits on car rental facilities, cruise booking, and hotel stays. You will be getting access to VIP properties of United Hotels, priority check-in on Air Canada flights, additional miles on Avis and other car rentals, etc. 

Available Upgrade Inventory!

Before making a decision to get a United Airlines seat upgrade, check for the available upgrade inventory by United Airlines. Depending on the United fare classes, the airline designated some of the seats for upgrades. Additionally, you can easily find three different fare classes that allow you to know about the available seats for upgradation. Check all the courses in the below section:

  • PN Fare Class: The upgrade option is available using PlusPoints for Global Services. Additionally, instant upgrades for premier 1k and GS members.
  • PZ Fare Class: If you are a Premier Platinum and 1K member, you will be getting an option to upgrade to domestic first class or Polaris Business Class using your PlusPoints. Using miles or instant upgrade options are available for Premier Platinum members. 
  • RN Fare Class: All the passengers will be getting an option to upgrade to Premium Plus.

After learning about all the available seats on each fare, you can easily get an idea about the upgrade, and you don’t have to worry about the upgrade anymore. 

United Upgrade Eligibility!

Not all the flights and tickets can be upgraded, and you have to check whether you are eligible for it or not. Most people can easily upgrade their flight seats; however, some of the fare classes, such as Basic Economy, are not eligible for the upgrade. But, remember that the upgradation depends on various factors and not only one. So, make sure to check all the factors thoroughly to avoid any hassle and get everything sorted in no time. 

Upgrade Priority!

Most travelers don’t mind being on the waiting list for an upgrade, and United Airlines chooses a different way to clear the waitlist. The airline checks for various criteria, and they act on them accordingly. Consider the below-mentioned criteria that the airline put on priority from top to bottom:

  • Global Service Request on United: The airline usually invites members, and those holding elite status will be eligible to get their upgrades cleared on priority without any restrictions. 
  • Mileage Upgrade Awards and Plus Points: According to United Airlines, travelers holding Mileage Upgrade Awards or having Plus Points will be the next ones to get their upgrades cleared on the list. 
  • Holding Elite Status: If you are holding an Elite Status, your chances will be much higher as compared to those lower in the line. 
  • Cabin Fare Class: You have to remember that the higher the cabin class you choose, the higher the chances for you to get your upgrade request clear first. 
  • United MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus Cardholders: If you are a United frequent customer and holding a MileagePlus or Presidential Plus cart, you can easily beat most travelers to get your United Airlines Upgrade. 
  • High Annual Spending on United Chase Cards: Spent over $25,000 in annual spending? It can be a great news for you. According to United Airlines, if you spend a lot of amount through United Chase Cards, there will be higher chances for your United upgrade. 

United Upgrade Waitlist Clearance!

If you are wondering if your upgrade request will be explicit after a few minutes of making a booking, you are taking it wrong. Once you request the upgrade, the airline will place you on waitlist. However, it might be possible that the airline will confirm the upgrade request at the time of check-in. 

Getting United Upgrade with Miles!

United Upgrade with Miles!

Wondering if it’s possible to get the United Airlines Upgrade with Miles or not? Don’t worry, if you don’t hold the Elite Membership. Holding the United MileagePlus membership will work for you. Additionally, United Airlines also offers mileage upgrade awards, and you’ll be getting the upgrade priority. Remember that the United Airlines upgrade cost with the Mileage award might vary depending on the flight you choose. 

Summary!

No matter which cabin class you choose, Elite Status will always be a plus point and give you maximum benefits. However, if you are looking for a United Airlines Upgrade, you can follow all the mentioned guidelines and remember the things discussed. 

It’s Always a better idea to be aware of the airlines and the flight on which you are going to fly. This will help you get a quick overview of things, and you can easily tackle any unwanted stressful surprises at the airport or during the entire journey!

FAQs – Learn More

How to upgrade United Airlines Flights?

While making a new reservation, you can easily make a request for a Plus Points Upgrade. Alternatively, the airline also allows you to get an upgrade for the existing booking. 

Can I upgrade my flight after booking?

Upgrading the flight after booking depends on various factors. You have to connect with the airline to check if there are any paid upgrades available or not after making a flight reservation. 

Does United upgrade from economy to economy plus?

If you’ve booked a flight with Basic Economy Class, you can easily upgrade it to Economy Plus at the time of check-in.

How do I upgrade from United Basic Economy?

After booking a flight ticket with United Basic Economy, you will be only eligible for an upgrade to Economy Plus, that too at the time of check-in. Purchasing a United Airlines Cabin Upgrade for Premium Class is not available for Economy Basic Travelers. 

Will United automatically upgrade me?

If the airline will offer you an upgrade, you can do the same by paying the applicable price or miles required to make it happen. 

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