How do I upgrade from Basic Economy on United?

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.



People Also Ask

You can request a PlusPoints upgrade at booking or after you've been ticketed. To book a new reservation with a PlusPoints upgrade, go to advanced search on united.com and select PlusPoints upgrades from the Upgrade Type drop-down menu.

MORE DETAILS

If the seat is available, the passenger pays for the upgrade on the flight. So while you shouldn't expect a free upgrade on a flight, you can still ask for upgrades from booking till boarding — and you may be able to pay your way to a much more comfortable seat.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

It depends on the airline you're flying with, but it is generally cheaper to upgrade to business class at the airport than it is to book a business class ticket from the outset. To upgrade at the airport, you will need to ask about availability and then pay the difference in fare.

MORE DETAILS

While Basic Economy provides the same level of inflight service as standard Economy, this lower-priced option has some important restrictions on seating, carry-on baggage, MileagePlus member benefits – including Premier member benefits – and other aspects of your travel.

MORE DETAILS

With most airlines, there's no difference between the actual seats in the main cabin versus basic economy. But the policies outside of your seats — like how much luggage you can bring and how easy (and cheaply) you can change your flights — can be significantly different.

MORE DETAILS

Basic Economy tickets are nonrefundable and non-changeable except as allowed by our 24-hour flexible booking policy. They can't be combined with any other fare type. They have no value if canceled or unused. They may be eligible for partial travel credit if canceled prior to departure.

MORE DETAILS

Initially, passengers can contact their airline post-booking a flight to check for any paid upgrade availability. The next best option is to ask at the check-in desk of your flight. If all else fails, don't give up just yet! There are almost always passengers in business or first class who fail to make their flight.

MORE DETAILS

Keep in mind that upgrading to Economy Plus will only net you more legroom, guaranteed in-seat power access and a seat closer to the front of the plane; it will not get you an additional baggage allowance.

MORE DETAILS

The Points Guy priced an upgrade to one ticket at $45, just $5 more than it would have cost to buy a standard economy fare in the first place. A United spokesperson confirmed the current rate for upgrading from a basic economy to a regular economy fare is $45 each way.

MORE DETAILS

Economy Plus® seating
Stretch out in Economy Plus with more space to work or relax. Economy Plus seats feature up to 6 inches (15 cm) of extra legroom and are located near the front of the United Economy cabin, helping to get you on your way when you reach your destination.

MORE DETAILS

On almost every flight, the passengers who get upgrades are either the ones who pay for them (whether in dollars or miles) in advance or frequent fliers with elite status who receive complimentary upgrades as part of their perks. There are very few exceptions, so don't expect to score a free upgrade by just asking.

MORE DETAILS

How can I get my seat upgraded at the airport? The free upgrade for the last seat or two are not awarded until boarding starts. All you need to do is take a credit card to the check-in agent or the gate agent and let them know you are willing to pay the fare difference between your ticket and the last seat in first.

MORE DETAILS

It depends on a variety of factors, including the airline, the route, the time of year, and the availability of seats. In some cases, upgrading at the airport can be a cost-effective way to experience Business Class perks without paying full price. In other cases, it may end up being more expensive.

MORE DETAILS