Every passengers wish to make their travelling experience more comfortable and memorable. So, United Airlines makes it possible by providing United Airlines seat upgrade option. With this, flyers can upgrade their existing reservation to higher one based on their requirements.
Further, United Airlines offers various type of seat upgrade options for the convenience of the passengers. The airline makes the seat upgrade process easy and straightforward. Passengers can also enjoy the facility of complimentary upgrades on United Airlines.
In this article, we will discover the types of upgrades, eligibility to upgrade your seat, and more. So, keep reading!
Can I Upgrade My United Seat After Purchase?
Yes, you can buy a United Airlines seat upgrade and upgrade your reservation to a higher class. Upgrading your seat is always beneficial as you will be able to enjoy the additional services and make your travel journey more enjoyable. Moreover, you can even upgrade your flight by using reward points and miles. United Airlines allows you to upgrade your ticket at the time of flight booking or even after the reservation. If you wish to learn the process of upgrading your seat, here are the proven steps:
Move to www.united.com.
Click on the Manage Booking tab.
Fill in the passenger’s surname and the PNR number.
Here, select the Upgrade option and choose a new class.
Select the seats and hit the Save button.
Pay the charges using your card if the system asks for it.
Besides, United Airlines will provide you with email confirmation once you complete the process.
Note: You can upgrade your United Airlines seat after booking by calling +1-844-402-8105
Type Of Upgrades Available on United Airlines
United Airlines offers various options to secure an upgrade, including Premier Elite members, qualifying for complimentary upgrades, using miles to upgrade, or buying a full-fare economy ticket to upgrade quickly.
MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Upgrades through miles on the United Airlines flights.
Complimentary Upgrades: The seat upgrades for Premier Elite Members on specific domestic flights operated by United Airlines.
PlusPoints Upgrades: The upgrades bought with PlusPoints earned by Premier 1k members and Premier Platinum can be used only on United Airlines.
Star Alliance Upgrade Awards: The upgrades are made using the miles on specific flights with certain Star Alliance partners.
Instant Upgrades: The seat upgrades at the time of purchasing on full airfares Y Economy and B airfares for Premier members.
What Is Preferred Seating On United Airlines?
A preferred seat is considered as a regular United Airlines economy seat that is placed near to the front on the aircraft. It allows you to sit in the first row behind Economy Plus. Keep in mind that the additional legroom is not included. Passengers can take advantage of the following benefits by booking these fares:
Get food and drinks quickly.
Get off the plane early before the other passengers.
MileagePlus members can also earn Premier points by purchasing the preferred seats.
Buying Preferred Seating on United Airlines
Anyone can purchase the preferred seating on United Airlines if they are taking United Airlines flight. However, the flight may vary based on the travel route. Besides, flyers can buy the preferred seating on the official website of the airline or on the United’s mobile application.
Furthermore, select a preferred seat on the United Airlines seat map while purchasing your flight ticket. If you already booked your flight ticket, you can still book your preferred seat while managing your itinerary under My Trip section.
When Does United Airlines Upgrade Wait List Clear?
The United Airlines seat upgrade won’t clear at the time of reservation. Instead, you will be put on a wait list. Sometimes, the airline confirm a seat upgrade at the time of check-in. Besides, you will be added to the and subject to the order of clearance if you are checking in for your flight and have not receive the news of an upgrade.
Ways To Get On The United Airlines Upgrade List
Every passenger wishes to upgrade their seat for their comfort specially when they are travelling for a long-haul flights. Here, we will discuss some ways that will help you to increase the chances of United Airlines seat upgrade.
Earn Elite Status
There are various reasons for that you will want to earn the Elite Status with United Airlines if you want to get an upgrade. Passengers who have entry level Premier silver or Elite Status, can enjoy the United Complimentary Premier Upgrades. Moreover, these upgrades are available on most domestic flights and allow you to move from Economy Class to First Class with no additional cost.
Passengers can receive an annual allotment of PlusPoint if they earn Platinum status and above. Additionally, Platinum Elite members can earn up to 40 PlusPoints and the United 1k members can earn up to 320 PlusPoints every year. Likewise, these points can be used as upgrade certificate for their flights and they are applicable for both domestic and international flights.
Buy A Higher Class Fare
United Airlines offers a certain number of flight tickets in different fare classes. Similarly, the lower the class, the cheaper the ticket. Thus, United Airlines provides the seat upgrade priority to those passengers who booked their flight in higher class.
The order of clearance for the economy class flight tickets is like Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K and G. Similarly, the passengers with U fare class will get United Airlines seat upgrade prior to the passengers who bought W fare class.
Note: Remember that S, T, L, K, and G are considered deep-discount Economy class flight tickets.
Get A United Credit Card
People with United Airlines credit card are higher in the pecking order than others specially when they have one of the more expensive credit card. Additionally, there is another advantage of holding United Airlines credit card is that upgrades are available on Award tickets.
However, United usually does not offer seat upgrade on award flight tickets. But, this option becomes unlocked if you have both United credit card and Elite Status. Moreover, it also applies to a companion who is travelling on the same flight.
Book A Premium Economy Flight Ticket
Booking a Premium Economy flight ticket is an alternative method of buying Premium Plus seats to score a United Airlines seat upgrade to United Polaris. Likewise, the flyers who booked a Premium Plus seats, will have the option for upgrades over everyone else on the flights that offers Premium Economy seats. United Airlines will begin to process seat upgrade in economy class of cabin when the seat upgrade request have cleared.
Does United Airlines Upgrade Seats For Free?
Yes, United Airlines offers free seat upgrades to the passengers with specific status. If you are a premier member, then you can enjoy the complimentary upgrade option that allows to make United Airlines seat upgrade for free. However, you will only get this advantage when you are flying on the flights operated by United Airlines and your airfare must be eligible for ticket upgrade.
Further, passengers with complementary premier membership can enjoy the benefits such as additional baggage allowance, one companion, more comfortable seats, etc. Besides, you can know about United Airlines free upgrades by visiting the airport counter or directly connecting with the customer service team of the airline.
Note: Keep in mind that the seat upgrade request is only approved by United Airlines if there is availability of seats and a request for an upgrade 24 hours prior to the departure.
What Are the Special Seating Areas on United Airlines?
Exit Row Seats
Flyers who are willing to sit on emergency exit row seats must meet the following situations:
The passenger must be 15 years old or older.
Able to help other passengers in emergency situations.
A person must fit physically and under the crew announcement in English And Spanish.
Bulkhead
The Bulkhead seating rows offers a specific wall directly in front of them. Remember that the exit row policy will be applicable when a bulkhead seat located in an exit row. You will not get under seat space in-front of you due to the fixed wall. Moreover, the bulkhead seating offers as Economy Plus seating options.
Seat Upgrades on United Airlines
Passengers can upgrade their seats on most flights which is operated by United Airlines. Here are the important points related to the Premier status level based passengers.
Non-Members
Passengers can purchase an Economy Plus seat or upgrade their seats at the time of flight booking. In addition to this, you can only purchase an Economy Plus seat at the check-in time when you are travelling on a United Airlines Basic Economy flight ticket.
Members
You can upgrade or change at any time up to boarding and on board as well. If no seats are available for United Airlines seat upgrade, check again when departure date is closer or ask the gate agent. Besides, you need to ask a flight official to modify seat during travel.
When You Can Upgrade Your Seat on United Airlines?
It is important to know the ideal time to make the seat upgrade process and its ways. Let’s have a closer look at the table below for a better understanding:
Type Of Seat Upgrade | When Upgrade | How Upgrade |
Upgrade to Premium cabin or Economy Plus | At any time before boarding | Through official website By using mobile application Contacting the United Customer Contact Center At check-in kiosk With the help of gate representative |
Request a MileagePlus Travel Award | During and after United reservation | Through the official website By using mobile application Contacting the United Customer Contact Center |
Request a MileagePlus Upgrade Award | During and after United reservation, at the gate or at the check-in time | Through the official website Contacting the United Customer Contact Center With the help of gate representative |
Request a Star Alliance Upgrade Award | After United Airlines Reservations | MileagePlus members only: Through United.com Premier members only: Through United.com Through the United Customer Contact Center |
Final Takeaway!
This is how passengers can make United Airlines seat upgrades without any hassle. The option to upgrade seats is available for all passengers. Moreover, we have discussed ways to increase the chance of getting an upgrade on United Airlines. Besides, you can view various seating options and even modify them using the My Trip tab. Passengers with premier membership can get the advantage of various perks, including exclusive discounts, free upgrades, bonus award miles, and more.
