My last-minute trick for confirming United first class upgrades
Editor's Note
With infinitely long upgrade waitlists and fewer upgrades clearing, United elites are spending more time in economy class, especially on hub-to-hub routes.
As a Premier 1K member, just 10% of my eligible flights this year have received Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPUs) to first class. I've long thought CPUs were the best benefit of Premier 1K status, but with complimentary upgrades being few and far between, I've considered revisiting my elite status strategy.
However, hope is not lost. Nowadays, I rely more on day-of-departure PlusPoints and mileage upgrades to confirm a seat at the front of the plane. Let's take a closer look at my upgrade process.
How to leverage United's Expert Mode for last-minute upgrades
One quick disclaimer — I'm sharing this tip merely from my own experiences and observations, having traveled with United. There's no guarantee that this will work for you, and we haven't tested this tip across MileagePlus accounts. Remember this tip the next time it looks like you won't be getting a complimentary upgrade on the day of your flight, but don't bank on it always panning out.
Now, with that out of the way, let's look at the process.
At the most rudimentary level, there are two variables at hand as the departure time for your flight approaches: First, the number of empty seats in first class; and second, waitlisted passengers for first class.
As the departure time approaches, United tends to open lower first-class fare classes, including the "PZ" fare, which means that an upgrade to first class is confirmable using PlusPoints or miles. However, the airline can only do this if there are open first class seats on the flight.
For example, let's look at a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Kahului Airport (OGG) in United's Expert Mode. Expert Mode in the United mobile app shows the fare classes available on a given flight — check out our full guide for more information.
Three days ago, there were six seats available in first class (indicated by "J6"). However, upgrades to first class were not confirmable (indicated by "PZ0") when I first checked the flight.
Now, let's look at the same flight two hours from departure.
Even though there are just two seats now in first class (indicated by "J2"), there is now one seat available to confirm an upgrade to (indicated by "PZ1"). Because PZ space is open, I can now upgrade my ticket by applying either PlusPoints or confirming a mileage upgrade.
Note that you're not skipping the line for complimentary upgrades; you're simply changing the method by which you're upgrading (using PlusPoints or miles) when seats are released at the last minute.
So, in short: Keep an eye on your flight with United Expert Mode. If you see open "PZ" fares, you can confirm an upgrade using PlusPoints or miles. It's common to find these fares hours before departure when the first class cabin has open seats.
Related: Why Premium Plus and higher fare classes are the secret to United upgrades
This strategy also works for upgrading award tickets
This tip can also be used on award tickets if seats are released — but the process is a little different.
If you're currently booked on an economy United award ticket, monitor your flight in United Expert Mode on the days (and hours) leading up to your flight. Look for the "I" fare class (business saver). Then, if one opens up, simply rebook your award ticket to the business class cabin, paying the extra miles in the process.
Here's an example of a flight with open "I" space, denoted by the "I1" marker:
Related: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on United Airlines
Bottom line
As the departure time of my flight approaches, I regularly refresh the available fare classes and the upgrade waitlist to see if I can snag a first-class seat using my PlusPoints. If you don't have PlusPoints, you can use miles to confirm an upgrade when the "PZ" fare is available on a paid ticket.
I often use this strategy when my position on the upgrade waitlist clearly shows that I won't be getting upgraded.
By using this tip, I've been able to lock in upgrades on the following flights this year:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA).
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kahului Airport (OGG).
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Denver International Airport (DEN).
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
- Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The next time it looks like you're not going to get upgraded, try this tip and see if you can snag a seat up front.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.