Economy Plus and upgrades: Travelers with Basic Economy fares are only eligible to purchase Economy Plus seating at check-in and are not eligible to purchase premium cabin upgrades, use their Economy Plus subscription benefits or purchase United Travel Options packages.

On United Airlines, Basic Economy tickets are generally not eligible for upgrades of any kind. This means you cannot use MileagePlus miles, PlusPoints, or complimentary Premier upgrades to move to a higher cabin. However, United has recently introduced more flexibility: as of 2026, passengers on some routes may be offered a "Paid Upgrade" or the option to "Add a seat" through the United app or at check-in if there is excess capacity, but this is entirely at the airline's discretion and is not a guaranteed feature of the fare class. If you find yourself needing an upgrade, the most reliable method is to first change your ticket from Basic Economy to a standard Economy fare (which usually requires paying a fee plus the fare difference), after which you will be eligible for all standard upgrade options. For elite status members, it is important to remember that the "no upgrade" rule for Basic Economy applies even if you are a Premier 1K member, as the fare restrictions override your status-based perks.