Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is the archive thread, the active thread is Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic (How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,...)
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
LH booking class P, Z upgreadable for miles and eVouchers
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P ,Z-class LH flights with a GPU. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Checking for availability prior to calling
Use ANA or even united.com to see availability.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
For C->F upgrade, J, D, C fares are eligible, Z and P fares are not. ... Just check the tables here: https://www.miles-and-more.com/onlin...l=en&cid=18002
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Both longhaul LH segments cleared into I after being on waitlist . The first didnt get stickered, so the DCS ( amadeus altea ) rejected online and agent checkin . The eticket helpdesk had to manually update the first coupon for the DCS to accept the coupon. My seat in C was safe, since the PNR was updated correctly, just the ticket was not updated completely to the satisfaction of the DCS. Everyone looking at the booking agreed the upgrade was legit, so you will not be denied boarding or downgraded, just budget enough time
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The LH GA must have called the eticket helpdesk and pointed out the * SSR remark in your reservation that shows an upgrade was applied and the e-ticket just needed a fix/sticker. See my experience above.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
#1036
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,271
Thanks; but, I had thought the common issue was that upgraded LH flights were not posting at all- not that they were posting incorrectly. Would the MileagePlus desk need to submit a System Issue Form to LH to correct the posting?
#1037
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
I have seen incorrect postings before (rarely) and usually in my favor (like C becoming J).
#1038
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,271
Got it. Thanks! Indeed, my flight was on a 220 ticket.
#1039
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
yeah, then UA will have to work it out with LH to get the correct booking class posted. I found this to be a bit tedious at times, but it really helps if you send an electronic copy of the ticket to UA in the first place (just email to [email protected]).
#1040
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 108
I have a 014 ticket (AC)
I am taking LH 470 FRA to YYZ with a Q fare (it is showing a codeshare AC9105)
I am having a little trouble with the online tool.
is this flight doable or i have cancel and rebook on LH and have LH issue the ticket instead of AC?
I am taking LH 470 FRA to YYZ with a Q fare (it is showing a codeshare AC9105)
I am having a little trouble with the online tool.
is this flight doable or i have cancel and rebook on LH and have LH issue the ticket instead of AC?
#1041
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,132
The ticket has to be issued on LH470, not AC9105. AC ticket is OK.
#1042
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,271
yeah, then UA will have to work it out with LH to get the correct booking class posted. I found this to be a bit tedious at times, but it really helps if you send an electronic copy of the ticket to UA in the first place (just email to [email protected]).
#1044
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
#1045
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,132
Codeshares cannot be upgraded. UA offers the service to switch 016 ticketed UA coded LH operated flights to LH flight numbers, I doubt AC will do that for you. They theoretically can do that if they issued the ticket...
#1046
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
I got a reservation TATL AAA/LH-FRA/LH-BBB and upgraded Y to business class (I) online using a GPU for the TATL flight AAA-FRA. Promptly got an email from UA confirming upgrade. Now, the first TATL LH flight AAA-FRA on .bomb is gone. It only shows the second FRA-BBB flight.
Called reservations and agent says, upgraded TATL flight is still there, but LH has to "sort out/fix the reservation" once I check in for the AAA-FRA TATL flight (???) This sound fishy!
However on lh.com it does show all flights double, e.g.
1) first, both flights with UA codeshare flight numbers in coach class,
2) then, both flights with LH flight numbers, the AAA-FRA flight in (upgraded) business class, the FRA-BBB flight in coach.
3) further it still shows a LH flight from a previous changed reservation in the record.
I am a bit uneasy about this. Just wanna make sure, I am not going to loose my seat(s) once I check in with LH. TIA for any advise.
Called reservations and agent says, upgraded TATL flight is still there, but LH has to "sort out/fix the reservation" once I check in for the AAA-FRA TATL flight (???) This sound fishy!
However on lh.com it does show all flights double, e.g.
1) first, both flights with UA codeshare flight numbers in coach class,
2) then, both flights with LH flight numbers, the AAA-FRA flight in (upgraded) business class, the FRA-BBB flight in coach.
3) further it still shows a LH flight from a previous changed reservation in the record.
I am a bit uneasy about this. Just wanna make sure, I am not going to loose my seat(s) once I check in with LH. TIA for any advise.
Last edited by cesco.g; Jul 6, 2017 at 12:30 am
#1047
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2
LS T-class GPU?!?
Hi there, total newbie here.
I just used my very first GPU to try upgrade LH455 (SFO-FRA) flight booked as a 016 ticket through United.com. I went on the page for online LH upgrade requests (on united.com) and used one GPU to upgrade my flight.
Now I called LH to ask if they see my upgrade request and they said that they can see me on the waitlist. But when I called United to also verify, they were baffled because they said T-class tickets are not eligible for GPUs on LH so they can't understand how the system allowed me to be listed.
BTW, I checked my account and 1 GPU sure enough has been deducted from my account.
The flight in question is:
Sat, 29JUL17, LH455, Fare: T, SFO 3:05 PM, FRA 11:00 AM (30JUL)
Any idea what's going on? Thank you in advance!!!
I just used my very first GPU to try upgrade LH455 (SFO-FRA) flight booked as a 016 ticket through United.com. I went on the page for online LH upgrade requests (on united.com) and used one GPU to upgrade my flight.
Now I called LH to ask if they see my upgrade request and they said that they can see me on the waitlist. But when I called United to also verify, they were baffled because they said T-class tickets are not eligible for GPUs on LH so they can't understand how the system allowed me to be listed.
BTW, I checked my account and 1 GPU sure enough has been deducted from my account.
The flight in question is:
Sat, 29JUL17, LH455, Fare: T, SFO 3:05 PM, FRA 11:00 AM (30JUL)
Any idea what's going on? Thank you in advance!!!
#1048
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
Hi there, total newbie here.
I just used my very first GPU to try upgrade LH455 (SFO-FRA) flight booked as a 016 ticket through United.com. I went on the page for online LH upgrade requests (on united.com) and used one GPU to upgrade my flight.
Now I called LH to ask if they see my upgrade request and they said that they can see me on the waitlist. But when I called United to also verify, they were baffled because they said T-class tickets are not eligible for GPUs on LH so they can't understand how the system allowed me to be listed.
BTW, I checked my account and 1 GPU sure enough has been deducted from my account.
The flight in question is:
Sat, 29JUL17, LH455, Fare: T, SFO 3:05 PM, FRA 11:00 AM (30JUL)
Any idea what's going on? Thank you in advance!!!
I just used my very first GPU to try upgrade LH455 (SFO-FRA) flight booked as a 016 ticket through United.com. I went on the page for online LH upgrade requests (on united.com) and used one GPU to upgrade my flight.
Now I called LH to ask if they see my upgrade request and they said that they can see me on the waitlist. But when I called United to also verify, they were baffled because they said T-class tickets are not eligible for GPUs on LH so they can't understand how the system allowed me to be listed.
BTW, I checked my account and 1 GPU sure enough has been deducted from my account.
The flight in question is:
Sat, 29JUL17, LH455, Fare: T, SFO 3:05 PM, FRA 11:00 AM (30JUL)
Any idea what's going on? Thank you in advance!!!
#1049
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,337
I got a reservation TATL AAA/LH-FRA/LH-BBB and upgraded Y to business class (I) online using a GPU for the TATL flight AAA-FRA. Promptly got an email from UA confirming upgrade. Now, the first TATL LH flight AAA-FRA on .bomb is gone. It only shows the second FRA-BBB flight.
Called reservations and agent says, upgraded TATL flight is still there, but LH has to "sort out/fix the reservation" once I check in for the AAA-FRA TATL flight (???) This sound fishy!
However on lh.com it does show all flights double, e.g.
1) first, both flights with UA codeshare flight numbers in coach class,
2) then, both flights with LH flight numbers, the AAA-FRA flight in (upgraded) business class, the FRA-BBB flight in coach.
3) further it still shows a LH flight from a previous changed reservation in the record.
I am a bit uneasy about this. Just wanna make sure, I am not going to loose my seat(s) once I check in with LH. TIA for any advise.
Called reservations and agent says, upgraded TATL flight is still there, but LH has to "sort out/fix the reservation" once I check in for the AAA-FRA TATL flight (???) This sound fishy!
However on lh.com it does show all flights double, e.g.
1) first, both flights with UA codeshare flight numbers in coach class,
2) then, both flights with LH flight numbers, the AAA-FRA flight in (upgraded) business class, the FRA-BBB flight in coach.
3) further it still shows a LH flight from a previous changed reservation in the record.
I am a bit uneasy about this. Just wanna make sure, I am not going to loose my seat(s) once I check in with LH. TIA for any advise.
-RM
#1050
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 150
Is it possible to do a United metal flight for one way of a trip and Lufthansa for the return and use GPU on both legs?