United Airlines is to launch a benefit for its elite Mileage Plus members next year which will automatically request upgrades on behalf of the passenger.
Due to launch in the second quarter of 2010, the Unlimited Domestic Upgrades (UDU) scheme will automatically request upgrades for Premier, Premier Executive, 1K and Global Services members when they purchase any domestic fare for travel on United or United Express services.
The scheme will replace the current 500-Mile Upgrades system, where eligible passenges use certificates to request upgrades. The new UDU scheme will also request an upgrade for up to one companion passenger, and is valid for all published United Economy and Business revenue fares within Continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. It will not be valid on award tickets.
UDUs will also be available on domestic flights where they form part of an international itinerary, and the existing Systemwide Upgrade and Mileage Upgrade scheme will continue to be available to request upgrades on international segments.
For full details of the new scheme, visit united.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
