Can I determine upgrade eligibility if I know the fare class?

Can I determine upgrade eligibility if I know the fare class? - Serious female teacher wearing old fashioned dress and eyeglasses standing with book while pointing at chalkboard with schemes and looking at camera

I have frequent flyer status with Turkish Airlines which gives me Star Alliance Gold status.

Using Kayak to search for flights, I want to know, prior to purchasing a ticket, that I am able to upgrade an economy class ticket to business class using miles (i.e. a non restricted fare).

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Is this something that can be inferred? Alternatively, are there other tools I should be using to get this information?



Best Answer

Given that you are looking to upgrade a flight on an airline other than the one you have status with, what you are referring to is a Star Alliance Upgrade.

These upgrades are generally only available on very expensive fares - on most airlines (including United) they are only available on "B" and "Y" fares, which are the two highest level of Economy fares.

In the screenshot you've shown, the fare class is the first letter of the fare code shown - "W" and "L". "W" is a mid-way economy fare class, and "L" is a very low fare class - both are a very long way from Y/B.

An equivalent B-class fare will likely be at least 2-3 times the price shown, probably more. Even then, upgrades are limited and there is no guarantee that you will get one - especially on an airline like United who offers multiple ways for their own frequent flyer members to upgrade, so you will be fighting with those people for the few upgrade seats that may be available.




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Why is my United reservation not eligible for upgrade?

Upgrades are not available on flights that have already been upgraded, or on tickets containing Basic Economy fares, Economy (first bag charge/no changes allowed) fares, certain fares such as industry discount, and tickets purchased on websites where you don't know the exact flight itinerary or airline until after you' ...

How does the upgrade list work on United?

Assuming your upgrade does not clear in advance, United will process upgrades in the following order:
  • Full fare tickets, ranked by elite status.
  • Upgrades using miles or systemwide/regional upgrade instruments, ranked by elite status (of the traveler), then fare class, and then time of request.


Can you upgrade an economy ticket?

Pay for an upgrade at the time you make your reservation or at the self-service check-in at the airport. These are usually discounted at the time of purchase. You can also call your travel agent or the airline directly to make an upgrade.

How can I get a free upgrade on my flight?

7 ways to get upgraded on a flight
  • Earn airline elite status. ...
  • Fly with someone who has airline elite status. ...
  • Ask an elite member for their unused upgrades. ...
  • Volunteer for an oversold flight. ...
  • Purchase upgrades with the right credit card. ...
  • Use miles to upgrade. ...
  • Pay for a last-minute upgrade.




  • How to check fare rule/ how to check penalty in Galileo/ Galileo Booking.




    More answers regarding can I determine upgrade eligibility if I know the fare class?

    Answer 2

    Fare class is one, but far from the only, determinant of whether a ticket is upgradeable.

    You must also factor in

    • the type of upgrade instrument you want to use
    • your frequent flyer elite status
    • whether one or more segments is a codeshare
    • upgrade restrictions imposed on certain routes, aircraft, or travel dates
    • restrictions written into the individual fare rules

    Of course, the aircraft must have a cabin for you to upgrade to. My suspicion is that YOW-BOS is an Air Canada Jazz flight, which in my personal opinion isn't worth upgrading, but that's up to you of course.

    Under Turkish Airlines' Star Alliance Upgrade scheme, you cannot upgrade either an Air Canada or a United flight on a W or L fare. On any participating airline, these are restricted to very high fares, typically Y or B for Economy to Business.

    If you have a United GPU at your disposal, which you received as a gift or a customer service gesture, you can upgrade on some routes, but not the IAD-DXB leg which is the only one where it would be worth it. The chart indicates that for United-operated flights to the Middle East, Global Premier Upgrades are not available on flights booked in fare classes Z, P, S, T, K, L, G or N.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Julia M Cameron, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio