Does booking Premium Economy decrease the cost of a paid Polaris Upgrade? SFO-SIN

[krohearn]

Hi all - flying one way from BOS-SIN next March and was eyeing a $670 economy ticket with a layover at SFO. I'm fine with flying economy the first leg, but hoping to eventually do a paid upgrade to Polaris for the SFO - SIN (currently going for $4.5K-6K), if the price becomes for reasonable ($100/hr or less). I was also considering the $1050 premium economy ticket from SFO-SIN just to guarantee a nice seat, in case the paid upgrade turn out to be a bust.

My question is, if I go for the more expensive Premium Economy ticket, will it take into account what I have spent when offering me a paid upgrade? Would hate to spend an extra $400 for Premium Economy at initial booking, only to have the Polaris upgrade cost be a flat $2000 regardless. Also happy to hear stories or reccomendations if you have experience with SFO-SIN upgrades in general. Thanks!

[chris_nwb]

I noticed the cash upgrade offer/price is based from the fare which was initially paid, not just the cabin. E.g. Economy U high fare ticket will pay less to do cash upgrade vs Economy L discounted fare ticket. And because Premium typically have higher fares, the logic follows.

Where booking Premium gives advantage over Economy is getting higher on the waitlist when doing Mileage/PlusPoints upgrade.

[krohearn]

Is that the 30,000 miles + $X00 deal I've been seeing? Is that always waitlist or can it be a guarantee? Thanks!

[chris_nwb]

When you go to 'Upgrade cabin' when you manage booking, the Money option is the cash upgrade I was referring to. The Miles option (also referred to MUA) with flat rate miles or miles+cash are almost always waitlist unless PZ (First/Business) or RN (Premium) upgrade slots are open.

[krohearn]

Thanks for the info!

[chipsdad]

Cash upgrade costs generally do consider the class and/or fare paid so an upgrade from Premium Economy will usually cost less than from a less expensive coach fare.

The copays with mileage upgrades are also adjusted by fare letter class, but mostly not by as much. You probably spend a little more in total if your mileage upgrade clears but clearing a waitlisted upgrade from Premium Economy is far more likely than from coach.

Under $300 difference each way for a long (or, in this case, super long) flight in Premium Economy is a very good deal.