Types of upgrades


Want to relax in a premium seat using an upgrade? Here’s how:
Use award miles to upgrade
All members can use award miles to request an upgrade on a United® or United Express® flight. A co-pay is required in some instances.
Reach elite status and get complimentary upgrades
Elite members get our best seats, including Unlimited Domestic Upgrades to top destinations like Hawaii.
You can also buy a better seat with Premium Seating.



What's different across upgrades?
Use award miles
Upgrade Type Where How to get How to use
United or United Express flight Use award miles (with co-pay for some destinations) on paid tickets Request an upgrade
Destinations served by participating Star Alliance airline partners Use award miles on paid tickets Call United reservations
Use elite status
Upgrade Type Where How to get How to use
U.S. and select destinations (excludes transcontinental p.s.® flights) on United or United Express flights Become an elite member—enjoy unlimited upgrades Buy an eligible ticket—we’ll request it for you
U.S. and select destinations on United or United Express flights Get 2 when you reach 75,000 EQM or 90 EQS, plus the opportunity to earn more. You’ll need to request this upgrade
Flights on United or United Express worldwide Get six when you reach 100,000 EQM or 120 EQS plus the opportunity to earn more You’ll need to request this upgrade
500-Mile Upgrades were discontinued as of Mar. 19, 2010 for elite members and replaced with Unlimited Domestic Upgrades. General members can still use their existing upgrades until they expire.
What’s the same across upgrades?
Our upgrades share some similarities. For example:
Availability
Upgrade availability is based on how many seats are available in the premium cabin, the route, and the demand (how many seats we anticipate selling on that flight). Upgrades may not always be available.
The upgrade wait list is confirmed based on status
If there’s no seat available, you’ll be put on a wait list. The list is prioritized based on MileagePlus status: 1K® member status gets priority, then Premier Executive®, Premier® and other members.
You’ll earn miles based on the paid ticket
You’ll earn award miles, elite status miles (EQM) and elite status segments (EQS) based on the class of service of the ticket you bought, not the upgraded ticket