Who doesn’t want to travel in First Class? Well, most of us do. If you’re flying United Airlines and want to upgrade to First Class or a similar experience, you can use their seat upgrade option. United Airlines’ seat upgrade service lets you move to a higher cabin for an additional fee. To proceed with this seat upgrade request, you need to follow a certain set of rules. This blog covers everything you need to know to upgrade to a better seat option on United Airlines. Learn more in the subsections below.
Who Is Eligible For United Airlines Seat Upgrades?
Anyone who booked a United Airlines or United Express flight can upgrade their seat as long as they pay the required fee. The process and time for requesting an upgrade totally depend on your United Premier status level. Here is a simple introduction for your reference:
Premier Members
If you are a Premier member with an eligible status level on United Airlines, you can upgrade your seat at any time until you board. You can also request a seat upgrade onboard, depending on certain conditions.
If no seat upgrades are available, check back closer to the departure date or ask a gate representative to help you upgrade with United.
Non-Premier Members
If you are not a member of United Premier, you can purchase an Economy Plus seat directly or upgrade to this cabin when booking flights. If you have a Basic Economy booking, you can only purchase a Plus seat when checking in for your United Airlines flight.
United Airlines Seat Upgrade Types and Conditions
United Airlines offers several upgrade types, and your Premier status level determines when and how you can request them. You can get free upgrades with MileagePlus rewards, as well as paid or complimentary upgrades for select customers. Use the table below to understand the available options and how to request a United Airlines seat upgrade.
| Upgrade Option | Availability | Methods for Upgrading |
| Upgrade to Economy Plus or Premium Cabin | Anytime before boarding | Online at United.com
Using the United app Via the United Customer Contact Center At airport check-in kiosks With a gate agent |
| MileagePlus Travel Award | During and post-booking | Online at United.com
Using the United app Via the United Customer Contact Centre |
| MileagePlus Upgrade Award | Throughout the booking process, at check-in, and at the gate | Online at United.com
Via the United Customer Contact Center With a gate agent |
| Star Alliance Upgrade Award | After booking | MileagePlus members:
Online at United.com Premier members: Online at United.com Via the United Customer Contact Centre |
| Complimentary Premier Upgrades | Available on eligible Premier Member flights as long as space is available | Automatically applied to eligible flights
Using the United App Contact the United Customer Contact Centre |
| PlusPoints Upgrades | If you have enough PlusPoints and you are a member of Premier Platinum or Premier 1K | On United flights and selected partner airlines.
You can even upgrade another traveller not on your reservations. |
How Do I Upgrade My United Airlines Flight Seats?
To upgrade your flight seats with United Airlines and get a higher cabin booking with advanced services, you have plenty of options. Here are the details:
Use Your MileagePlus Account
- Open the United Airlines Booking website (www.united.com).
- Sign in to your MileagePlus Account.
- Choose the flight you want to upgrade.
- If you’re eligible, you’ll see an Upgrade reservation option.
- Make your request online by following the screen prompts.
- If you have upgrade priority, we’ll process your request right away.
- Otherwise, you’ll be added to the waiting list.
- As soon as your selected upgrade becomes available, you will receive a notification.
- Use the email you received to process your upgrade.
After these steps, you will receive new ticket details, which you can use to download your boarding pass and get ready to fly.
Call United Airlines Reservations
- Find and dial the United Airlines customer service number.
- You can even call the Premier Priority Desk number on your digital membership card.
- Follow the IVR menu to connect to a live person at United.
- Once you connect, share your upgrade request with the airline.
- After that, the agent will ask for your flight details.
- Share your personal information with him as well.
- He will check your upgrade eligibility and even help you upgrade your seat.
Keep in mind that you must pay a small charge as a seat upgrade fee to United Airlines as you request a new seat in a higher cabin. This fee is mandatory as you are switching from a lower cabin to a higher cabin.
Talk to an Airport Agent
You can also speak with an airport agent at the United Airlines check-in desk or your gate agent to request an upgrade. Arrive early to increase your chances of an airport upgrade, as time is of the essence when departure is near. Usually, in such a scenario, an upgrade is only available to you when an existing passenger gives up his seat at the last minute. To get this upgrade, share your travel details and related documents with the agent and understand the process for submitting the request.
Use Your Flight Details for Paid Upgrades
If you are not a MileagePlus member and do not have any awards for complimentary upgrades, you can also request paid upgrades. Here are the simple steps to follow:
- Visit the United Airlines official website.
- Search and select your flights using your flight number & last name.
- Check if you see a Seat Upgrade option on the flight you wish to upgrade.
- If you are eligible, make your request.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to make your request.
- Wait for the airline’s response.
- Process your upgrade and make payments.
- Confirm and get ready for your departure with an upgraded seat.
Remember that United Airlines puts you on a priority waitlist, and once you are cleared, you will get an upgraded seat.
How Does United Airlines Waitlist Priority Work for Upgrades?
United Airlines system processes seat upgrade requests until three hours prior to the flight’s departure. If you want to request an upgrade after that, you can only visit a gate agent at your departure gate. Also, the airline puts you on a priority waitlist that works in the following order (decreasing):
- United Global Services Requests.
- MileagePlus Upgrade Rewards
- PlusPoints Upgrades
- Premier Status Travelers
- Fare Cabin higher to higher first and lower to higher next.
- United Club Infinite Card Holders
- United Presidential Plus Card Holders
- Participants of the United Corporate Preferred Program.
- United Chase Cardholders who have annual spending of $25000.
- Date and Time of your Upgrade request.
If your seat upgrade request isn’t confirmed by check-in, the airline adds you to an upgrade standby list. On eligible flights, you can fly on standby with your upgrade request as long as the seats become available later.
Final Words
That’s all you need to know about seat upgrades with United Airlines. The airline does not charge a fee for award upgrade requests, but it will charge a fee for paid upgrades, which depends on several factors. You can learn more through United Airlines customer service or connect with us at Unitedfareshub for real-time information. Feel free to contact us and get answers to upgrade your flight seats with ease.
