United Eliminates Complimentary Upgrades for More Hawaii Flights
United operates what you might refer to as a mini-hub at Honolulu International Airport (HNL), flying to a handful of South Pacific islands (via the "Island Hopper"), in addition to Tokyo (NRT), Guam (GUM) and the following mainland US destinations:
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD)*
- Denver (DEN)*
- Houston (IAH)**
- Newark (EWR)**
- Washington, D.C. (IAD)**
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- San Francisco (SFO)
Currently, the airline doesn't offer complimentary upgrades to elite members on the above routes marked with a ** — if you're flying from Houston, Newark or Washington, your only option to upgrade is to redeem miles, a Regional Premier Upgrade or a Global Premier Upgrade (which are only issued to elite members). Mileage upgrades will run you as much as 30,000 miles + $500 each way, depending on the fare class.
For at least two of the routes mentioned above (Newark and Washington, D.C. to Honolulu), passengers who upgrade will almost certainly travel in a lie-flat seat, though Houston flights are often operated by a 777-200 with recliner seats, as are many Chicago and Denver flights (currently). However, United will soon be swapping in a new lie-flat 777 (with 3-4-3 seats in coach) on flights that currently have the recliners.
Around the same time — as of March 1, 2017 — these ORD and DEN flights will no longer be eligible for complimentary upgrades. Unfortunately this change will also impact Hawaii routes not operated by this new aircraft, including Chicago and Denver to Maui, and Denver to Kona on the Big Island and Kauai.
Notably, the 777s currently operating Honolulu flights from Chicago and Denver offer 32 first-class seats, while the reconfigured planes only have 28, so there will be fewer upgrade seats to go around either way.
H/T: View from the Wing
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app