Charges for being upgraded to 1st class
 

Ever checked your "Pass Travel" history?

Looks like I was charged $14.10 for an upgrade to 1st class. I wasn't aware that we were ever charged for upgrades. And I certainly don't ever remember asking for an upgrade.

You are charged for first unless you "list" as fee-waived, which puts you at the bottom of the standby list. At least for your first 25 years. After that first is free (I think.... not there quite yet but I'll let you know in a couple of years). =)

If you don't want to be charged, but want to keep your seniority for boarding, make sure you list for coach and not first. That being said, if you list for coach and the only seat on the airplane is in first, you ain't going!

Coach is free. First costs money.

https://employeerespss.coair.com/emp...alculator.aspx

Is that similar to booking 1st class on Employee Res? You get charged? I'm able to non-rev with another airline and they don't charge for being upgraded. In fact its assumed you want to be upgraded. International travel...no charge for up front, except for the taxes of course. Curious why UA does that.

Yes if you book First Class in employee res and actually SIT in first, you get charged. If you list first but get coach, you will not.

If you want free first you have to have 25 years, go "fee waived" when you select your listing, or use a vacation pass

They do it to make money =)

Huh... And I didn't even get a beer.

Oh man. Rookie mistake. You'll get em next time!!! =). Always bring something to cover up the scuba suit!

If you listed coach, and got moved to first... The gate agent was doing you a favor because likely that's the only seat that was left. If you only list for coach, and first is all that's available, they can leave you there.

If you get issued a boarding pass for a 1st class seat, you get charged. If you get a coach boarding pass and be real nice to the flight attendants and they move you up AFTER boarding, Bam. Free First Class!

this happens about as frequent as the 5 planets lining up last night…