Questions and Answers

Does anyone know whether it is possible to use UA Mileageplus miles to upgrade on an Y-class OS operated flight booked through UA? (Non-stop IAD-VIE). From what I can tell, the Star Alliance Upgrade Award chart on United’s website indicates that an upgrade from Y to business should cost 25,000 miles. But I don’t know if that is only true for flights marketed AND operated by the partner airline? Many thanks in advance if anyone knows the answer.
-Mike

I think it depends on what fare class your ticket is. Your flight has to be marketed and operated by the same airline and in either Y and B fare class only. In your case, your flight is marketed and operated by the same airline – OS (unless you booked with a UA flight number, then it’s marketed by United)

I doubt your ticket is in the Y or B fare class though – that’s full fare economy which sometimes is more or equally as expensive as discount business class

[QUOTE=”David W, post: 59389, member: 29″]I think it depends on what fare class your ticket is. Your flight has to be marketed and operated by the same airline and in either Y and B fare class only. In your case, your flight is marketed and operated by the same airline – OS (unless you booked with a UA flight number, then it’s marketed by United)

I doubt your ticket is in the Y or B fare class though – that’s full fare economy which sometimes is more or equally as expensive as discount business class[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=”David W, post: 59389, member: 29″]I think it depends on what fare class your ticket is. Your flight has to be marketed and operated by the same airline and in either Y and B fare class only. In your case, your flight is marketed and operated by the same airline – OS (unless you booked with a UA flight number, then it’s marketed by United)

I doubt your ticket is in the Y or B fare class though – that’s full fare economy which sometimes is more or equally as expensive as discount business class[/QUOTE]

Yea, its UA marketed, and OS operated in Y class. Work trip and I didn’t have the option of how it was booked. Got some good info on flyertalk: if UA marketed and OS operated it CANNOT be upgraded w/ miles technically. Although apparently some UA agents may be willing to reissue tix under OS flight #, particularly for Y class. We’ll see.

Call and ask and maybe you’ll get it work! 🙂

Additionally, [I]fare class[/I] is different from [I]cabin class. [/I]F J W Y are the traditional reference codes for First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy but within each group there are additional letters that are used to sub-divide fares. Depending on the airline there can be 5-10 other letters used to denote economy fares