My cousin was visiting US from Japan and decided to upgrade his return flight on line. He wasn't quite sure if the upgrade was taken, so he tried few times. (his English is not all that good...)
It ended up 4 upgrades for 1 flight he took. United charged him $325 for each upgrades 4 times! Total $1300!
He and I contacted United to ask for refund, they said their policy do not allow any refund.
Only offer they can give is to have those upgrades alive for one year.
He can only use it in region 1, which is mainly United States.
These upgrades he purchased by mistake are not transferable either. Which means if he does not come to US and travel here, he must lose whatever he paid.
He is not a business person, I do not think he will come to US 3 more times within a year. United has services in Japan, why can't they at least offer him something in Japan?
I will avoid any United flights from now on. I have never heard of such a rip off!
Koji
Stockton, California
U.S.A.