How to Use Miles to Upgrade a Flight

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Upgrading your flight with miles can get you from economy to the front of the plane — but it’s often a poor deal. With limited availability, extra fees and confusing rules, you’ll usually get a better value from using your miles for other redemptions.

Still, there are a few scenarios where using miles to upgrade can pay off.

When using miles to upgrade makes sense

Using miles to upgrade can make sense when there’s a large gap between the cash price of economy and premium cabins, but the mileage cost to upgrade is relatively reasonable.

For example, let’s say an economy ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago costs $200 (or 20,000 miles) in economy and $400 (or 40,000 miles) in first class. If you book the economy ticket for $200 and then get an upgrade offer for 10,000 miles to first class, that can be a worthwhile redemption. However, if your upgrade offer is 30,000 miles, that can be a poor value.

While checking the math makes sense, there’s also a bit of a judgment call in this process. For example, let’s say you’re going on a work trip and your ticket was paid for by your employer. If you want to use your miles for the upgrade, you may give yourself more leeway on how many miles you’d be willing to spend for the more comfortable experience.

When upgrading with miles doesn’t make sense

On the flip side, there are many instances when upgrading with miles is a bad idea. If you want a guaranteed premium cabin seat, it’s usually better to book an award ticket outright. This is especially true on popular routes where upgrade space is limited or unlikely to clear.

If you’re flying a short distance, upgrading your ticket with miles may not be worth it. Upgrades also aren’t available on all tickets. For example, basic economy fares are generally not eligible for upgrades, which means you won’t be able to use miles even if upgrade space exists.

Because upgrade pricing can be dynamic, the value you get can vary widely. In some cases, you may get a reasonable deal, but in others, you may end up overpaying in miles compared to booking an award ticket directly. If you get an upgrade offer that’s a poor value, you’re better off saving your miles for another time.

How upgrading with miles works

While each airline has its own rules, the general process typically includes:

Booking an eligible ticket: If you plan to upgrade, check whether your fare is eligible before you book. Not all fares qualify. For example, most airlines do not allow travelers to upgrade basic economy or award tickets. Some airlines may allow upgrades for basic economy but only for members with elite status.

Requesting an upgrade using miles: This can be done during the booking phase or after purchase.

Paying miles (and possibly a copay): Some airlines require a cash payment in addition to paying miles. On some airlines, having elite status exempts you from paying a copay.

Waiting for confirmation: Some upgrades can be confirmed immediately if space is available. Others require you to request an upgrade and wait for it to clear, which may happen closer to departure, or not at all, since upgrade space is limited. Depending on the airline, some offer instant upgrades, while others rely on waitlists.

Airlines that let you upgrade with miles

Although upgrades are offered by many airlines, for purposes of simplicity, we’ll focus on the three main carriers in the U.S: United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The upgrades discussed here are available to all travelers and can be booked using miles, regardless of elite status.

United offers two main ways to upgrade a flight using miles: buying a confirmed upgrade (called a Paid Cabin Upgrade) or requesting one using miles (MileagePlus Upgrade Award).

Paid Cabin Upgrade (PCU)

MileagePlus Upgrade Award (MUA)

How it works

Buy an upgrade with miles or cash.

Request an upgrade using miles.

Waitlist

No, instant confirmation.

Yes.

Payment type

Fixed price (miles or cash).

Miles + possible copay.

Airlines

United and United Express.

United and select partner airlines.

Paid Cabin Upgrades

These upgrades are the most straightforward. To check availability, find your flight in the “My Trips” section of your United account and look for an available seat in a higher cabin. If there is upgrade space, you can use miles to book the upgrade.

These upgrades take priority over MUAs, and because they are confirmed immediately, they may require more miles than an MUA.

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards

Although MUAs require fewer miles than PCUs, they aren’t guaranteed. To request an MUA, you’ll need to use United miles and, in many cases, pay a copay. A copay may be waived on some cabin classes (usually expensive full fares) or for Premier Elites traveling on certain routes.

If upgrade space isn’t available, you’ll be placed on a waitlist and may only clear closer to departure. If the upgrade doesn’t clear, your miles and any copay you paid will be refunded. Unlike PCUs, which can only be used on United and United Express, MUAs can also be requested on Star Alliance flights. If you want to guarantee a seat in the front of the plane, the best way is to purchase the higher cabin ticket initially or splurge for a PCU. Both upgrade types can be used to move up to a Premium Plus, United First or United Polaris business class seat.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

Those with Premier Elite status have access to other upgrade options, including complimentary upgrades and PlusPoints. See our guides to PlusPoints and United’s upgrade priority order for more details.

American Airlines offers “Instant Upgrades,” which can be purchased with miles or cash and allow you to move up to premium economy, Flagship Business and more. There is no waitlist, and if an upgrade is available, you’ll be able to confirm it immediately.

Instant Upgrades are offered on flights operated by American Airlines or American Eagle. The ticket must also be booked directly through American and purchased within the U.S. Because of this limitation, tickets booked through online travel agencies will not be eligible for an upgrade.

Miles can typically be used for upgrades up to 24 hours before departure, while cash upgrades may be available anytime before departure.

Like other airlines, Delta allows you to upgrade eligible tickets with miles. If an upgrade is available, you can confirm it immediately using miles. For tickets that have already been booked, the upgrade option will appear in your reservation under “My Trips” when selecting your seat.

There’s no waitlist since upgrades are only offered when space is available. Depending on the flight, you may be able to upgrade to Delta Comfort, Delta First, Delta Premium Select or Delta One.

Upgrades using miles are available on Delta and Delta Connection flights within the U.S., and can be booked on delta.com or in the Fly Delta app. For certain international and partner-operated flights, you will need to call Delta to request an upgrade using miles. Delta also offers Mileage Upgrade Awards, which can be redeemed for fixed mileage amounts. These upgrades are only bookable by phone, are available on select Delta and partner flights, and require a qualifying paid ticket in an eligible fare class.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

If you’re a Delta Medallion elite, you also have access to additional upgrade options, including complimentary upgrades and upgrade certificates.

Should you upgrade with miles or book an award flight instead?

In most cases, booking an award flight outright will provide better value for your miles, especially for premium cabins on long-haul routes. You’ll also guarantee your seat and won’t have to hope and pray for an upgrade offer.

However, award tickets may not be available at the saver level in a premium cabin, so in those cases, purchasing a cash ticket and upgrading with miles can be a way to get into a premium seat.

The best option depends on availability, pricing and your travel flexibility.

How to maximize your rewards

About the author

Elina Geller is a contributing NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by Forbes and AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

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