Jun 30, 2013, 7:39 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
General PlusPoints (was GPU) earning & usage questions [Consolidated]
Note: the term journey is used here to denote travel between a pair of cities, with one or more layovers, and all segments of the journey are part of the same ticket, confirmation number, and record locator. A one way ticket has one journey. A round trip has two journeys. A multicity ticket has three or more journeys.
Can I apply a GPU to UA metal that is ticketed on non-UA ticket stock?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19321483-post23.html says you can.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19324013-post25.html says not always.
Can I use a GPU on flights operated by other airlines?
Yes, Copa, LH and NH.
On Copa, the rules are the same as for flights operated by UA. It can't be done online, so you have to call. The regular Premier desk can't do it, though, even though Copa uses MP as its loyalty program--you'll need to call (or be transferred to) the Star Alliance Help Desk to complete the process. (And it's an involved process for the agents--they have to duplicate the Copa PNR in SHARES and issue you a separate UA PNR. Betwen *A Desk hold times--no priority for Premiers--and the hassle it is for the agents, plan on 30-45 minutes to get this done. It may be simpler if you booked your Copa tickets through United.) Note that an RPU works anywhere on Copa that a GPU works, so don't waste GPUs unnecessarily.
On LH, the process is completely different. You can use a GPU on LH operated fights only if printed for a specific flight of a specific reservation. See
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
I see GPUs for sale on Craigslist or eBay. May I buy them and use them?
We do not recommend this. If UA determines the GPU was sold, you risk having your M+ account terminated and loss of your miles, status, lifetime miles, etc.
If I have upgraded a flight with miles, cash, GPU, RPU, CPU, etc. from Y to J, may I upgrade to F with a GPU?
Policy does not allow this. However, once upgraded to business you may be offered a cash buy-up to F.
If I apply a GPU on a multi segment journey, what happens one or segments clear, and one or more do not?
The exact wording from united.com is:In most cases, the Global Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded or flown. However, for travel which includes segments in United BusinessFirst or United Global First, the Global Premier Upgrade will be re-deposited if the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded.
This has at least three interpretations when the journey consists of segments that have all lie flat seating, and one or more upgrades to BF or GF fails, but one or more upgrades to BF or GF succeeds. The first is that since the wording is not "if any United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded" the GPU is not redeposited. The second is that the GPU is redeposited, even if for example, ORD-NRT was upgraded, and NRT-SIN was not. The third is that if the longest segment was not upgraded to BF or GF, the GPU is redeposited. In practice, UA agents appear to follow the third interpretation.
UPDATE: The wording in the Mileage upgrade section is a bit clearer and probably also reflects the policy for GPUs.What is the refund policy for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards that do not clear the waitlist?
If you request an upgrade using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, and none of your travel segments are upgraded, then we will automatically redeposit your miles and co-pay. In most instances, a MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United BusinessFirst® and/or United Global FirstSM, and none of the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First® or United Business® on another segment. In these instances, we will fully redeposit your miles and co-pay. When applicable, these refunds will occur automatically seven to 10 days after travel.
Redeposits don't always happen automatically, and when you call, you might find agents are trained to follow the longest segment interpretation, whereby if the longest segment is upgraded, even if not BF or GF, then the GPU will not be deposited. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21138703-post394.html of push back and eventual capitulation by UA.
Can I add myself to the wait list within 24 hours of departure?
No, all you can do is attempt to apply the GPU periodically until it clears into upgrade inventory if any opens up. The 1K desk cannot put you on the wait list inside 24 hours because SHARES transfers the flight to airport control.
Do the fare class restrictions apply to domestic flights?
No, you can use a GPU on any fare on any domestic/ any CPU eligible flight.
Is there a maximum layover between segments of a journey?
Unclear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20453548-post221.html is an example of 38 hours, where the 1K desk applied it on behalf of the customer. What is interesting about this case is that 38 hours is well beyond a layover, which implies that in some cases, one GPU can be used for two journeys on the same ticket even if the two journeys are beyond 12 hours apart (12 hours being the pmUA rule – 4 hours for North American / “domestic” only flights).
How is the waitlist prioritized?
United.com details the process in the "Upgrade confirmation priority" section of this page.
For non-CPU flightsIf an upgrade seat becomes available, waitlisted customers are confirmed automatically based on the Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class, then time of request.
For CPU flights, GS and YBM fares will be handled before GPU/Miles/RPU users and finally CPU requests. Within these groups upgrades are prioritized based on Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class.
If not cleared until gate, it is believe the time factor is based on check-in time.
***On 4/15/15 travelers will no longer inherit the status of the redeeming account and will instead be prioritized by the status of the highest premier member on the PNR they are traveling on.
What is the relative waitlist priority of GPU vs Miles
Appears the use of GPU vs Miles has no impact on the waitlist priority.
May I cross two oceans with one GPU?
Yes if the entire journey is on one confirmation number and the max layover rule (above) is met.
Can I avoid upgrade lottery by booking only flights that have upgrade inventory?
Yes, see Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]. Note that you have to wait for the flight to ticket, by which time upgrade inventory can disappear. If so, cancel (within 24 hours of booking, so no penalty) and try again.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
No.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts before the GPU expires, and ends after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
Yes if the initial flight scheduled departure is prior to expiration.
Can I let someone else use my GPU?
Yes. They will be waitlisted prioritized based on your status until 4/15/2015 at which point they will be prioritized based on their own status (or lack thereof).
If I let someone else use my GPU, do I have to be on the same reservation, same journey and/or same flight?
No to all.
What happens if there are multiple pax on the same reservation confirmation number and the reservation is split; will the GPU(s) that is(are) waitlisted on one or more pax stay with the new reservation?
Yes.
Why do Non-Revs get assigned seats in First/Business instead of upgrading paying customers?
UA’s policy is paying customers have priority for upgrades. However, per UA’s employee benefit package, Non-Revs can have access to unassigned seats if there are no waitlisted paying customers. This Non-Rev benefit is part of the negotiated employee compensation.
General PlusPoints (was GPU) earning & usage questions [Consolidated]
Note: the term journey is used here to denote travel between a pair of cities, with one or more layovers, and all segments of the journey are part of the same ticket, confirmation number, and record locator. A one way ticket has one journey. A round trip has two journeys. A multicity ticket has three or more journeys.
Can I apply a GPU to UA metal that is ticketed on non-UA ticket stock?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19321483-post23.html says you can.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19324013-post25.html says not always.
Can I use a GPU on flights operated by other airlines?
Yes, Copa, LH and NH.
On Copa, the rules are the same as for flights operated by UA. It can't be done online, so you have to call. The regular Premier desk can't do it, though, even though Copa uses MP as its loyalty program--you'll need to call (or be transferred to) the Star Alliance Help Desk to complete the process. (And it's an involved process for the agents--they have to duplicate the Copa PNR in SHARES and issue you a separate UA PNR. Betwen *A Desk hold times--no priority for Premiers--and the hassle it is for the agents, plan on 30-45 minutes to get this done. It may be simpler if you booked your Copa tickets through United.) Note that an RPU works anywhere on Copa that a GPU works, so don't waste GPUs unnecessarily.
On LH, the process is completely different. You can use a GPU on LH operated fights only if printed for a specific flight of a specific reservation. See
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
I see GPUs for sale on Craigslist or eBay. May I buy them and use them?
We do not recommend this. If UA determines the GPU was sold, you risk having your M+ account terminated and loss of your miles, status, lifetime miles, etc.
If I have upgraded a flight with miles, cash, GPU, RPU, CPU, etc. from Y to J, may I upgrade to F with a GPU?
Policy does not allow this. However, once upgraded to business you may be offered a cash buy-up to F.
If I apply a GPU on a multi segment journey, what happens one or segments clear, and one or more do not?
The exact wording from united.com is:In most cases, the Global Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded or flown. However, for travel which includes segments in United BusinessFirst or United Global First, the Global Premier Upgrade will be re-deposited if the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded.
This has at least three interpretations when the journey consists of segments that have all lie flat seating, and one or more upgrades to BF or GF fails, but one or more upgrades to BF or GF succeeds. The first is that since the wording is not "if any United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded" the GPU is not redeposited. The second is that the GPU is redeposited, even if for example, ORD-NRT was upgraded, and NRT-SIN was not. The third is that if the longest segment was not upgraded to BF or GF, the GPU is redeposited. In practice, UA agents appear to follow the third interpretation.
UPDATE: The wording in the Mileage upgrade section is a bit clearer and probably also reflects the policy for GPUs.What is the refund policy for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards that do not clear the waitlist?
If you request an upgrade using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, and none of your travel segments are upgraded, then we will automatically redeposit your miles and co-pay. In most instances, a MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United BusinessFirst® and/or United Global FirstSM, and none of the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First® or United Business® on another segment. In these instances, we will fully redeposit your miles and co-pay. When applicable, these refunds will occur automatically seven to 10 days after travel.
Redeposits don't always happen automatically, and when you call, you might find agents are trained to follow the longest segment interpretation, whereby if the longest segment is upgraded, even if not BF or GF, then the GPU will not be deposited. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21138703-post394.html of push back and eventual capitulation by UA.
Can I add myself to the wait list within 24 hours of departure?
No, all you can do is attempt to apply the GPU periodically until it clears into upgrade inventory if any opens up. The 1K desk cannot put you on the wait list inside 24 hours because SHARES transfers the flight to airport control.
Do the fare class restrictions apply to domestic flights?
No, you can use a GPU on any fare on any domestic/ any CPU eligible flight.
Is there a maximum layover between segments of a journey?
Unclear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20453548-post221.html is an example of 38 hours, where the 1K desk applied it on behalf of the customer. What is interesting about this case is that 38 hours is well beyond a layover, which implies that in some cases, one GPU can be used for two journeys on the same ticket even if the two journeys are beyond 12 hours apart (12 hours being the pmUA rule – 4 hours for North American / “domestic” only flights).
How is the waitlist prioritized?
United.com details the process in the "Upgrade confirmation priority" section of this page.
For non-CPU flightsIf an upgrade seat becomes available, waitlisted customers are confirmed automatically based on the Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class, then time of request.
For CPU flights, GS and YBM fares will be handled before GPU/Miles/RPU users and finally CPU requests. Within these groups upgrades are prioritized based on Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class.
If not cleared until gate, it is believe the time factor is based on check-in time.
***On 4/15/15 travelers will no longer inherit the status of the redeeming account and will instead be prioritized by the status of the highest premier member on the PNR they are traveling on.
What is the relative waitlist priority of GPU vs Miles
Appears the use of GPU vs Miles has no impact on the waitlist priority.
May I cross two oceans with one GPU?
Yes if the entire journey is on one confirmation number and the max layover rule (above) is met.
Can I avoid upgrade lottery by booking only flights that have upgrade inventory?
Yes, see Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]. Note that you have to wait for the flight to ticket, by which time upgrade inventory can disappear. If so, cancel (within 24 hours of booking, so no penalty) and try again.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
No.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts before the GPU expires, and ends after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
Yes if the initial flight scheduled departure is prior to expiration.
Can I let someone else use my GPU?
Yes. They will be waitlisted prioritized based on your status until 4/15/2015 at which point they will be prioritized based on their own status (or lack thereof).
If I let someone else use my GPU, do I have to be on the same reservation, same journey and/or same flight?
No to all.
What happens if there are multiple pax on the same reservation confirmation number and the reservation is split; will the GPU(s) that is(are) waitlisted on one or more pax stay with the new reservation?
Yes.
Why do Non-Revs get assigned seats in First/Business instead of upgrading paying customers?
UA’s policy is paying customers have priority for upgrades. However, per UA’s employee benefit package, Non-Revs can have access to unassigned seats if there are no waitlisted paying customers. This Non-Rev benefit is part of the negotiated employee compensation.
Consolidated Global Premier Upgrade (GPU) Questions Thread [Archive]
Nov 21, 2012, 10:34 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
I'm on UA90/UA85 (EWR/TLV/EWR) next month with H fare, GPUs applied. No R inventory on either flight. J7, JN7, C4, D0, Z0, ZN0, P0, PN0, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. I've been checking every few days for R inventory but so far, bupkis.
Is TLV still a tough upgrade? I got it twice last year using CO SWU pre-3/3 but the rules have changed.
Return shows J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P2, PN2, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. Seatmap wide open. Not worried.
Is TLV still a tough upgrade? I got it twice last year using CO SWU pre-3/3 but the rules have changed.
Return shows J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P2, PN2, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. Seatmap wide open. Not worried.
Nov 21, 2012, 10:41 am
#47
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
I'd guess you will never SEE R>0 because if you have a GPU applied, it's going to upgrade you and zero out instantly.
Nov 21, 2012, 11:11 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
I've seen FT threads where people have had a GPU applied, but not cleared, they happened to see R inventory then called MP and had the upgrade applied manually. Hope this isn't the case anymore (and yeah I'm a 1K n00b).
Nov 21, 2012, 11:25 am
#49
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
I'm looking for opinions on this itinerary for December 11:
Which do you think would have the better option for an upgrade from Y to C? I list the F availability because I assume that at least SOME people will upgrade from C to F.
(Looking for both first AND second best choices.)
IAD-NRT V fare (13/40 C seats and 7/8 F seats showing available on the 777)
IAH-NRT Q fare (15/50 C seats and 0/0 F seats showing available on the 777)
ORD-NRT Q fare (16/52 C seats and 4/12 F seats showing available on the 747)
Tough call, IMO.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 21, 2012 at 2:41 pm Reason: merge
Nov 21, 2012, 11:46 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 362
I'm on UA90/UA85 (EWR/TLV/EWR) next month with H fare, GPUs applied. No R inventory on either flight. J7, JN7, C4, D0, Z0, ZN0, P0, PN0, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. I've been checking every few days for R inventory but so far, bupkis.
Is TLV still a tough upgrade? I got it twice last year using CO SWU pre-3/3 but the rules have changed.
Return shows J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P2, PN2, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. Seatmap wide open. Not worried.
Is TLV still a tough upgrade? I got it twice last year using CO SWU pre-3/3 but the rules have changed.
Return shows J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P2, PN2, R0, RN0, IN0, I0. Seatmap wide open. Not worried.
TLV is still a very hard upgrade. If you are on the waiting list, then best case scenario is you clear a few days before the flight (pretty unlikely), second-best case is that you clear at the gate (50-50), worst case scenario is you sit in the back.... at least that is my experience...
Nov 21, 2012, 12:06 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
If you fly AAA-BBB-CCC and AAA-BBB is domestic and BBB-CCC is international and you get UG on the domestic portion AAA-BBB but you don't clear on the international portion BBB-CCC, then you get the GPU back?
I've never been able to figure out what "BusinessFirst" is. Is it business or is it first?
If you got upgraded on the domestic portion, then, you were upgraded into first, right? Or, if AAA-BBB was on a 3-cabin domestic section, then you got upgraded into business, right?
This terminology of not referring to business as business and not referring to first as first but rather referring to an undefined thing called businessfirst causes nothing to make sense for me anymore.
Nov 21, 2012, 12:40 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
What does this statement really mean?
If you fly AAA-BBB-CCC and AAA-BBB is domestic and BBB-CCC is international and you get UG on the domestic portion AAA-BBB but you don't clear on the international portion BBB-CCC, then you get the GPU back?
I've never been able to figure out what "BusinessFirst" is. Is it business or is it first?
If you got upgraded on the domestic portion, then, you were upgraded into first, right? Or, if AAA-BBB was on a 3-cabin domestic section, then you got upgraded into business, right?
This terminology of not referring to business as business and not referring to first as first but rather referring to an undefined thing called businessfirst causes nothing to make sense for me anymore.
If you fly AAA-BBB-CCC and AAA-BBB is domestic and BBB-CCC is international and you get UG on the domestic portion AAA-BBB but you don't clear on the international portion BBB-CCC, then you get the GPU back?
I've never been able to figure out what "BusinessFirst" is. Is it business or is it first?
If you got upgraded on the domestic portion, then, you were upgraded into first, right? Or, if AAA-BBB was on a 3-cabin domestic section, then you got upgraded into business, right?
This terminology of not referring to business as business and not referring to first as first but rather referring to an undefined thing called businessfirst causes nothing to make sense for me anymore.
Second question is a bit more complicated:
BusinessFirst is a relic of CO which did not have international F. However they felt that their C was better than the average C (the seats certainly were!!) so they picked a name that was halfway between C and F.
Unfortunately the new UA has kept this terminology for all international C, which is bad because it seems to apply to regular C and even the very poor C on some of the old planes that have domestic F-type seats (loungers) rather than lie flat seating. This C should be called Business and NOT BusinessFirst, IMO.
I'd be disappointed if a GPU cleared on a segment containing these old C seats, but not on a transoceanic segment and I lost it.
The answers to your last two questions are yes, and yes.
Nov 21, 2012, 1:00 pm
#53
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,782
Nov 21, 2012, 1:47 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TPA / HAM
Programs: UA Gold / Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 276
Nov 21, 2012, 2:15 pm
#55
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,782
Nov 21, 2012, 2:47 pm
#56
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 21, 2012 at 3:52 pm Reason: merge
Nov 21, 2012, 2:58 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TPA / HAM
Programs: UA Gold / Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 276
Dec 1, 2012, 9:28 am
#58
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 710
Still confusing
This "Business vs BF" is not as clear as it could be:
It lists one destination area as "Latin America" for "Business" vs "South America" for BF. Anyone know the difference? Also, they sell business seats on p.s., to Hawaii and other domestic routes. It's not mentioned.
The "Business" picture shows people in the lie-flat BF seats, apparently from a PMCO 767 w/ the 2-1-2 layout, not the old recliner chairs. However, that's not what's available on many "Business" planes, such as PMCO 762, 76H, or 764 v1, old PMUA 777 or p.s. 757. Lie-flat is what's expected from BF, not Business. I know it says they're being phased out for transoceanic travel, but selling recliner chairs as BF, not the other way around that's the main concern.
It lists one destination area as "Latin America" for "Business" vs "South America" for BF. Anyone know the difference? Also, they sell business seats on p.s., to Hawaii and other domestic routes. It's not mentioned.
The "Business" picture shows people in the lie-flat BF seats, apparently from a PMCO 767 w/ the 2-1-2 layout, not the old recliner chairs. However, that's not what's available on many "Business" planes, such as PMCO 762, 76H, or 764 v1, old PMUA 777 or p.s. 757. Lie-flat is what's expected from BF, not Business. I know it says they're being phased out for transoceanic travel, but selling recliner chairs as BF, not the other way around that's the main concern.
Dec 1, 2012, 3:07 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: AGP/GIB
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP
Posts: 358
Need a mileage plus account to use a GPU?
A friend is going to apply one of his GPUs to my reservation for me. I fly US, so will be accruing with my US account. Just a sanity check that I don't have to have a MP account to apply the GPU?
Dec 1, 2012, 3:16 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
No, you do not need a MP account for your friend to apply his GPU to one of your reservations.