Questions and Answers

Hi Lucky,

My name is David and I am a huge fan of your website. I found it roughly 8 months ago and check it daily, even while on vacation. I have a question about a recent paid upgrade I made on United.

I purchased an Economy ticket (Class T) from MBJ to SFO with a layover in IAD on United. I noticed a few days before that the flight was nearly empty. 2 days before the flight left (2/9), I received an email stating that I would have the possibility of paying for an Upgrade to Business class (Class ZT) for the leg from MBJ to IAD. I had already purchased Economy Plus on the IAD to SFO leg (as that flight was sold out).

I assumed that I would be earning more PQM’s, PQS’s, and PQD’s for the paid upgrade. I did not use miles to upgrade or the complimentary upgrades that those with status have. The upgrade fee was heavily discounted to only $99. I have been checking my Mileage Plus account and I was only credited the PQM, PQS, and PQD of the Class T flight. Is this a mistake? Should I be credited more?

The website nor my receipt makes no mention of me not receiving additional miles and dollars. I decided to call United and they stated that paid upgrades from Economy to Business or First does not earn additional miles. I asked about just PQD’s, since I paid for the upgrade. I cited that I often pay for Economy Plus and those are credited as PQD’s. She reported that it does not work if you are completely changing cabins, as I did. She did admit that this is a common error for people who do this and that other complaints have happened. She even stated that the airline is at fault, but still stated that there was nothing she could do.

I find this to be odd. She suggested I send an email to United, but I’m not sure if that will really work. Do you have any insight into this?

Much appreciated!

-David

Hi David M. — Unfortunately that’s how it works, pretty much across all airlines. You only get the miles for the originally ticketed fare, sadly. Extra annoying with the PQD requirements.