International SA & pax upgrades
 

I can't keep up with all the changes in SA boarding and UA's application of policy of the week so hopefully someone in the know can chime in.

Looking on Employee Res, there's a flight we're looking at with 3 business seats currently showing as available, we'd be #1 on the list, but, (and it's a HUGE but) there are 16 upgrades listed in the UPG column on EmployeeRes flight info.

My question is this:

Are the upgrades in the flight info column passengers who've already pledged miles to upgrade on this flight and are awaiting a seat assignment? (i.e. Those seats will go to revenue passengers, we just don't yet know who).

Or are the 16 upgrades passengers who'd be eligible to upgrade on a domestic segment, but don't automatically upgraded internationally?

I'm just trying to avoid a one leg commute to a standby goose egg. Thanks for any clarification on this.

Only flights to Europe, Asia, and deep South America don't offer the complimentary upgrades. It sounds like your flight does offer complimentary upgrades.

From the chart you linked, every region in the network provides upgrades for Global Premiere and Milage Plus Awards, Australia included;). Is there any way to know who's who?

Not complimentary they don't. They have to pay for that sheet (in miles or cash). I don't know the answer to your question though.

I believe those upgrades are people who get complimentary upgrades when available, what city are you talking about?

if they show in the UPG column then they are either complementary domestic upgrade pax OR an international upgrade using miles/points or an upgrade certificate... and not yet assigned a seat. Normally international this number is very small.

That doesn't really answer his question; he's talking about an international flight based on his header.

AWAX, I'm almost positive those that you see are ON the upgrade list. They're using miles or certs. Upgrades clear at different hours before the flight, depending on your status. 1K clears at 96 hours for both domestic and international, Platinum 72hrs, Gold 48hrs, Silver 24hrs. UGS clears first; I don't know how many hours.

Bottom line - you're unlikely to be upgraded. You can always call reservations to confirm.

For a city with non-complimentary upgrades, 16 is a really high number. I think it it usually single digits to Asia or India. If it's a city like Lima with complimentary upgrades 16 would make sense.

I think 1k receive 6 international upgrades that can be given away to anyone per year.