Yesterday, I wrote about possibly upgrading my flight from Los Angeles to Singapore. My options were $1780 or 30,000 miles + $600. I ultimately decided to upgrade using the miles and cash option.
I only had 8,000 miles in my United MileagePlus account which left me 22,000 miles short.
I transferred 17,000 miles from my Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
To make up the last 5,000, I purchased them from United for $175 + $13 in taxes for a grand total of $188.
There are nine seats available in United BusinessFirst which meant that reservation has been waitlisted. I am waitlisted because 1) United can make more money from full revenue passengers and 2) I bought a cheap ticket (K class), which means that I would be one of the last people to upgrade (if the upgrade clears).
If the upgrade clears, I will be in BusinessFirst on the outbound leg to Singapore and Economy Plus on the return. I have paid $1484 (minus $200 American Express Travel Credit) + 30,000 miles for the roundtrip ticket. For comparison, the same itinerary would approx. $3700 if purchased outright.
Final Word
If there upgrade does not clear, I will only be out of the $188 that I used to buy the additional 5,000 miles. Right now, I feel that I have very slim chance of it clearing. The one thing that I do not want is for it to clear at the last minute. The aisle seats, my favorite, are usually taken first and I would hate to climb over someone to use the restroom.
Features image courtesy of The Points Guy
