Elite Upgrades

Note: 2011 elite status and benefits, including the program details below, will be extended until our system conversion date in 2012. The benefits and features of the 2012 MileagePlus program take effect at that time. Learn more

The information below applies to the upgrade benefits for the 2011 program year only. Learn more about the 2012 MileagePlus program.

OnePass Elite members are eligible for unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades on flights operated by Continental, United and Copa Airlines* flights in the following markets:

Mainland U.S.
Alaska
Canada
Hawaii (select flights)**
Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
Northern South America (select flights)***
Southern South America (Copa Airlines flights only)
Asia/Oceania (select flights)+

OnePass Elite members are now eligible for Unlimited Domestic Upgrades on United. See our frequently asked questions.

* Not eligible for United Mileage Plus Elite members

** Applies to Continental flights to/from California and all intra-Pacific flights except nonstops to/from Guam

*** Applies to all flights except for Continental non-stop flights between the U.S. and Lima effective June 1, 2010.

+ Applies to Continental flights within Asia and Oceania only

Upgrade Priority

Priority for First Class/Business Class Elite upgrades is determined by:

Full Fare Economy Y Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing when a seat is available on eligible flights operated by Continental
Discount Full Fare Economy B and Platinum Elite Members in M Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing, subject to capacity controls, on eligible flights operated by Continental
Elite level: Members are prioritized according to their Elite level — Platinum, Gold and then Silver. When traveling with other Elite members or non-Elite members, Elite members should purchase their flight on a separate itinerary.
Restricted and Reward fare classes: Reward upgrades are only processed for Elite members who are a primary credit cardmember with one of the Chase issued cards listed below.
Upgrade priority within Elite level will be based on fare class purchased. The fare class structure in priority order is as follows: M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N and reward travel*.
OnePass Plus
Presidential Plus
World Card for Business
Presidential Plus for Business
MileagePlus Explorer
MileagePlus Explorer for Business
Ticketing date/time: All else being equal, the sooner Elite members ticket their itinerary, the better their upgrade chances.
Check in time: If your upgrade is processed from the standby upgrade list at the airport, check in time will be used in place of booking date/time.

Upgrade Processing & Confirmation

Upgrades are processed nightly and confirmed in priority order using the following schedule:

Full Fare Economy Y, Discount Full Fare Economy B and Platinum Elite Members in M: — Beginning 5 calendar days before departure if an upgrade was not confirmed any time after ticketing
Platinum Elite members on non-Y fare classes — Beginning 5 calendar days before departure
Platinum Elite members/Chase Credit Cardmembers on reward tickets — Beginning 5 calendar days before departure.*
Gold Elite members on non-Y fare classes — Beginning 3 calendar days before departure
Gold Elite members/Chase Credit Cardmembers on reward tickets — Beginning 3 calendar days before departure.*
Silver Elite members on non-Y fare classes — Beginning 1 calendar day before departure
Silver Elite members/Chase Credit Cardmembers on reward tickets — Beginning 1 calendar day before departure.*

OnePass Elite members unable to upgrade in advance on Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines** may request an upgrade within two hours of departure at the airport.

Elite members traveling on an eTicket should verify that their OnePass account number is present in the reservation when checking in at continental.com or at an eService Center kiosk. When checking in with an airport representative, Elite members should present their Elite card.

If an upgrade is not available, Elite members will be automatically placed on a standby upgrade list. This list is cleared by Elite level, fare class, reward travel and time of check-in when a seat becomes available.

Elite members can sign up to receive an e-mail notification each time their upgrade is confirmed when flying on Continental Airlines or Copa Airlines.

*This benefit is for Elite members holding a OnePass Plus, Presidential Plus, World Card for Business, Presidential Plus for Business, MileagePlus Explorer, or MileagePlus Explorer for Business card only and not their companion traveling on a reward ticket. Eligible companions of the Elite member traveling on the same itinerary on a revenue ticket will be eligible for complimentary upgrades. Reward upgrades not eligible on Copa or Copa Columbia airlines operated flights.

** Not eligible for United Mileage Plus Elite members

Tips to Help Ensure an Upgrade

Here are some tips Elite members should know about our First Class/Business Class upgrade processing to ensure upgrade eligibility:

If a reservation includes multiple Elite members, the Elite members will be automatically upgraded according to the rules governing the lowest Elite level in the party.
If a reservation includes companions who do not qualify for OnePass Elite upgrades, the upgrade will not be processed automatically.
Elite members should call the Elite Priority Desk to request a separate reservation for themselves.
For an Elite member to be eligible to receive an upgrade, they must make sure that the name on the reservation exactly matches the name on their OnePass account and photo identification or passport.
Automated processing of complimentary upgrades is available for flights within or between the 48 contiguous U.S. and Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Companion Upgrades

Platinum Elite and Gold Elite members may extend their upgrade benefit to one companion traveling on the same itinerary on Continental Airline and Copa Airlines* flights:

Companion upgrades are valid with any paid fare.
The companion does not have to be in the same reservation as the Elite member.**
Elite member and companion must be on the same itinerary.
The companion may only be confirmed on the day of departure at the airport within two (2) hours of the flight.
The Elite member must present their Elite card at the airport.
If no upgrade seating is available at check in, the companion will be placed on the standby list.
The standby lists cleared in order of Elite status.

* Not eligible for United Mileage Plus Elite members

** Elite members may still upgrade in advance with their Elite privileges if traveling on a separate reservation.

Elite Upgrade Terms

Elite upgrades are subject to capacity controls, which may limit the number of seats available. Also, travel rewards and certain fares such as industry discount, Hotwire and priceline.com are not eligible for Elite upgrades.