Ben reports that United systemwide upgrades (SWUs) can now be applied on Continental flights. For now, you have to call to request the upgrade, but within the coming days this should be available to request online.
I gave Continental a call to see if Continental SWUs could now be used on United flights and the answer was no–at least not yet.
Tomorrow, I will walk you through how to check upgrade award space on Continental Airlines so you can know exactly whether you can confirm and upgrade on the flight you want.
As a United flyer who already has six 2012 systemwide upgrades in the bank after requalifying for 1K status in May, I look forward to trying out Continental’s lie-flat beds on the 777-200s. My next trip home from Germany just might be via Houston or Newark instead of Washington or Chicago…
I just did this today. I attempted to do it last night, but it requires the “integration team” to actually process it. That team only works normal business hours. I just called reservations and 30 minutes later, my upgrade had been waitlisted.
Fozz, thanks for the update.
There seems to be some confusion whether you have to call UA or call CO. Does it depend on whose stock the ticket is on?
You need to call the ticketing carrier, so if you’re flying CO, call CO. If you’re flying UA, call UA. The agent did make some comment that it was only valid on single-carrier tickets, so the itinerary has to be all CO or all UA.
Fozz is very correct, the 1K desk was not helpful at all (9pmPDT). Telliing me that it can only be handled by a special team. She said they only work 8-5 Cental time)Fozz filled in the part about “integration team”. WOw we are almost a year into this the aircraft are repainted but the companies are still very far apart!