UA upgrades with Velocity points

[servicerequired]

Hello,

Very much a n00b when it comes to actually using any of my Velocity points stash ... VA Platinum ... heading overseas later in the year on a conference which is organised and paid for with work, they have a travel agent arranging all the flights - obviously all economy, and all SYD-SFO and return.

With QF, I can login - press 'Request Upgrade', and bingo if successful, points taken and you're on your way in J.

Is there a similar process when flying on UA ... either with a VA or UA flight number?

Thanks

 

[bam71]

Nope :-(

 

[servicerequired]

Righto, so after further self research ... it appears that there is absolutely no upgrade option available.

Its either book a reward seat, or a revenue seat.

 

[nedl]

This is really disappointing. I wonder if there's any hope that this will be changed sometime down the line?

 

[ben95]

With QF, I can login - press 'Request Upgrade', and bingo if successful, points taken and you're on your way in J.

The same would work if you are a UA MileagePlus member with MP miles. IIRC usually these kind of upgrades award are restricted to the airlines own FFP or require full fares B/Y class be eligible (for example star alliance upgrade award).

I don’t think Qantas lets you redeem points to upgrade AA flights, only QF metal.