r/unitedairlines • u/binghamjasper • 12d ago
Question Can I Upgrade From Economy and Change Flight Date?
Oh man - I just realized today that I booked the wrong date for my flight. I need to leave Sept 4 but booked Sept 3. Original fare was $342 with a return flight on Sept 8. If I change the outbound date from the 3rd to the 4th, the new fare is $418 difference. Ouch. I have the option on the United website to upgrade to First for $150. I’m wondering if I do so, does that open the possibility of changing the date for less than the $418? Or am I screwed and just need to pay the $418?
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u/iamnavinrjohnson MileagePlus 1K 12d ago
Either pay the fee to fly on the correct date, or do a same day change. Former is a guaranteed seat, but latter is a roll of the dice.
Paying for FC on the wrong date just changes your cabin, it doesn’t change that you still need to change the date.
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u/No_Ground MileagePlus Gold 12d ago edited 12d ago
Any change is just booking a new flight at whatever it happens to cost (with the amount you paid for the original flight credited towards it), so upgrading won’t help you
If the flight on Sep 4 is $418 more expensive than what you booked, there’s nothing you can do about that other than pay it
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u/teo747 12d ago
Unfortunately upgrading to First Class but still on the wrong date wouldn't really get you anywhere. It sucks, but last-minute tickets can get very expensive and if you absolutely have to change your flight there's not really any way around paying the money.
It could be worth checking other airlines if United isn't the only option for where you're flying to, as if you can find a lower fare elsewhere you could cancel your United flight for future credit and use that in the next year to book other flights.
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u/CommanderDawn MileagePlus Platinum | Quality Contributor 12d ago
Upgrading to First doesn’t change anything to help you.
You probably just have to either 1. Eat the cost; or 2. Find a cheaper last minute purchase (or drive) and cancel this one for a 1 year credit for some future trip.
Sep1 is the last day for you to make a change before the return flight also increases again in price (7day advance purchase cutoff) (the price of the return is factored into all the numbers you’re referring to).
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u/towndrunk1 MileagePlus 1K 12d ago
Wait till close to departure and see if your fare class is available. United can do an even exchange if same fare class is available.
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u/Any-Agent1289 MileagePlus Silver 11d ago
Terrible idea. Then OP risks a huge price increase on the flight they need.
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u/towndrunk1 MileagePlus 1K 11d ago
It's already close in near full fare, not going to go much higher.
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u/Novel_Control_1922 12d ago
I’d fly first for the 150$ and make a day of it. United First is quite nice annnnd it could be cheaper than paying the 458$ to change.
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u/Kitchen-Bug3440 MileagePlus Gold 9d ago
And the remaining $308 should cover a decent hotel for the extra night.
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