Summary

  • American Airlines allows economy to premium economy upgrades with points, varying from 5,000-15,000 miles by region.
  • Delta Air Lines offers premium economy upgrades based on cash price, at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
  • United Airlines does not openly list premium economy upgrade prices, but business class upgrades range from 10,000-45,000 miles.

With its extra comforts for often a fraction of the cost of a business class ticket, an upgrade to premium economy is a tempting prospect for many passengers, and can make all the difference when traveling long-haul.

American Airlines 787 flying

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Which US airlines allow upgrades to premium economy to be purchased with points, and how much do they cost? For the purposes of comparison, we’ll be looking at upgrading from a full-fare economy ticket (where applicable) to premium economy by airline, in alphabetical order.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air does not offer a premium economy service, but does have a small number of extra legroom seats available on each aircraft. These are known as Legroom+ seats, and can be pre-booked. However, members of the carrier’s Allways Rewards program are unable to use points to pre-book seats. Instead, purchases must be made in cash.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers members of its AAdvantage loyalty program the option to upgrade from economy class to premium economy using points. Upgrade prices from the US vary by destination, and are currently set at the following rates:

  • Domestic (US mainland and Alaska) and Canada – 5,000 miles
  • Hawaii – 8,000 miles
  • Europe, Middle East, and Africa – 15,000 miles
  • Asia and Oceania – 15,000 miles
  • Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname – 8,000 miles
  • Rest of South America – 15,000 miles.
American Airlines premium economy

Photo: American Airlines

AAdvantage Status members are granted upgrades when traveling domestically within the US, subject to availability. This also applies to their one travel companion. The length of time before the flight that an upgrade is possible depends on the passenger’s status level, ranging from just 24 hours before departure for AAdvantage Gold members to 100 hours before departure for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members.

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways does not have a premium economy option, but does offer business class seating on its fleet of Airbus A220s. The carrier allows members of its BreezePoints loyalty program to pay for an upgrade to business class using points. Points can also be redeemed against other add-ons such as baggage.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines introduced its premium economy offering in 2017, and today, it is available on the airline’s fleet of Airbus A321neos, A330s, A350s, and selected Boeing 767s.

Delta Air Lines A350-900 on ground

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

For members of Delta Air Lines’ loyalty program, SkyMiles, the cost of upgrading with points is based on the cash price, at the rate of 1 cent per mile. For example, an upgrade costing $450 would set passengers back 45,000 miles.

Frontier Airlines

As an ultra-low-cost carrier, Frontier Airlines does not offer a premium economy cabin, but those with Gold level or higher status with the airline’s loyalty program, Frontier Miles, are eligible for free upgrades to Premium Seating, subject to availability. Premium Seating features a small amount of extra legroom.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines does not offer a premium economy cabin, but does allow members of its HawaiianMiles loyalty program to upgrade to business class (known as First Class) using points. Business class seats are available on all of Hawaiian Airlines’ 63 aircraft, which include the Boeing 717, 787-9, Airbus A321neo, and A330-200.

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200 (N388HA) departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

According to the carrier’s website, current prices in points to upgrade from economy class to the cheapest business class on flights to/from Hawaii are as follows:

  • Interisland flights – 7,500 miles
  • North America – 25,000 miles
  • Samoa, Tahiti, and Raratonga – 30,000 miles
  • Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea – 45,000 miles.

JetBlue

JetBlue does not currently allow members of its TrueBlue loyalty program to pay for upgrades of existing tickets using points. Although JetBlue does not offer a premium economy cabin, upgrades to the carrier’s award-winning Mint service, for example, are possible but must be paid for in cash. However, new Mint bookings can be paid for in points, and JetBlue uses a dynamic pricing policy for its flights.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has four categories of tickets:

  • Wanna Get Away
  • Wanna Get Away Plus
  • Anytime
  • Business Select.
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 departing from Denver International Airport.

Photo: Denver International Airport

However, it is not possible to use points from the carrier’s loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, to upgrade from one fare category to the next. Although Rapid Rewards points can be earned when paying for an upgrade in cash.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines’ loyalty program is called Free Spirit, allowing members to earn points when flying and redeem them on future flight purchases. Unfortunately for Free Spirit members, it is not possible to upgrade to one of the airline’s Big Front Seats using points. Instead, a Big Front Seat can be purchased as part of the carrier’s recently launched Go Big package.

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo landing

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Go Big was launched in August 2024, along with Spirit Airlines’ other innovative Just Go packages – Go Comfy, Go Savvy, and Go. Go Big includes a Big Front Seat, as well as one checked and one carry-on bag, priority check-in and boarding, snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, and streaming access to fast WiFi.

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines does not have a premium economy cabin, but does offer Best seats onboard its fleet of Boeing 737-800s. Best seats feature four inches more legroom than standard economy, greater recline, priority boarding, and one complimentary alcoholic drink once onboard.

Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737-800

Photo: natmac stock | Shutterstock

While not technically classed as a cabin upgrade, passengers traveling on Sun Country Airlines can purchase Best seats in advance as part of the booking process for between $30 and $39 depending on the route (compared to between $12 and $19 for a standard seat). Members of Sun Country Airlines’ loyalty program, Sun Country Rewards, can redeem points when making a booking.

United Airlines

United Airlines does not list the price of an upgrade from economy class to premium economy on its website. However, for those looking to upgrade from economy class to business class on flights departing the mainland US, prices in MileagePlus miles vary by route, and are as follows:

  • North America (including Hawaii) – 10,000 miles
  • Central America and the Caribbean – 15,000 miles
  • South America – 30,000 miles
  • Europe – 35,000 miles
  • Asia, Australia, and New Zealand – 40,000 miles
  • Middle East and North Africa – 45,000 miles.

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