My new United Regional Premier Upgrade (RPU) strategy
Oct 26, 2015, 8:41 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,036
My new United Regional Premier Upgrade (RPU) strategy
Apply 'em to every flight I take. Since they don't work 95% of the time I have nothing to lose. If at the very least I am ahead of someone else without a RPU then great, if not it goes back into my (unused) bank.
What a sad airline this has become.
What a sad airline this has become.
Oct 26, 2015, 8:45 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I just started doing the same thing! I use to save them for PS flights (as those have miles and co-pay now). I fly SFO-BOS almost every week and will be #20 on the upgrade list after everything clears as a 1K. I just put RPUs on all the return legs of those trips (have 4 in right now). I expect to get them all back.
Oct 26, 2015, 9:33 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
I was 6/6 for US Airways upgrades as a Platinum for the last month and a half. That just went away last week, though.
My United CPU rate as a 1k is substantially lower than that, but not to the point where I feel applying an RPU to every flight would do nothing. I remember reading somewhere that the RPU refunds if an upgrade clears within the CPU window, is that true?
My United CPU rate as a 1k is substantially lower than that, but not to the point where I feel applying an RPU to every flight would do nothing. I remember reading somewhere that the RPU refunds if an upgrade clears within the CPU window, is that true?
Oct 26, 2015, 10:15 am
#4
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Oct 26, 2015, 10:19 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K since 1998 & 3 Million Miler & ex-GS; DL Diamond 2015-2022; BAEC Silver; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 1,018
That was my strategy for all of my 2015 UA flights. And, my 2015 RPU upgrade percentage was a whopping 12%. Yes, 12% 
My 2014 upgrade percentage was higher at 19%.
After passing 100K UA miles in June, I am now done with UA for the rest of the year. All of my flying is now on Delta. My upgrade percentage has been very good on Delta. In a few short weeks I will be Delta Diamond Medallion. So, sorry UA, you are missing out on this revenue that you normally would have gotten.
My 2014 upgrade percentage was higher at 19%.
After passing 100K UA miles in June, I am now done with UA for the rest of the year. All of my flying is now on Delta. My upgrade percentage has been very good on Delta. In a few short weeks I will be Delta Diamond Medallion. So, sorry UA, you are missing out on this revenue that you normally would have gotten.
Oct 26, 2015, 10:26 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K since 1998 & 3 Million Miler & ex-GS; DL Diamond 2015-2022; BAEC Silver; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 1,018
Yes, if you do not clear, the RPU is automatically re-deposited after a day or two or three. Sometimes you have to call in to have the RPU put back into your account.
Oct 26, 2015, 10:31 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
My strategy is to wait until near departure when no-shows / bucket opening push R>0, then queue jump the wait-list. This works quite well on afternoon / evening flights, where misconnects are more likely.
Oct 26, 2015, 12:01 pm
#8
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
The strategy here is that if you use a RPU, you are higher than someone who is just waiting for a CPU. GS confirmed this with me last week.
Oct 26, 2015, 12:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Now, I'll bet that they'd just sell the space to somebody at OLCI.
Oct 26, 2015, 2:09 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
United should really stop selling TODs, until all elites are upgraded. Their elite flyers have earned CPUs & RPUs as their payment for upgrades.
Oct 26, 2015, 2:13 pm
#11
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Oct 26, 2015, 2:38 pm
#12
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What happens when only 1 out of 2 RPU's clears? e.g. tomorrow's flights I applied 1 RPU for both. Let's say the phx-lax clears (the leg I could care less about) and the lax-ord doesn't?
Oct 26, 2015, 2:47 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Get on the blower and un-waitlist yourself for PHX-LAX. If it clears and LAX-ORD doesn't, your RPU will be be considered used! If that's not what you want, you have to waitlist specific legs on the phone.
Oct 26, 2015, 2:57 pm
#14
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She took away the phx-lax waitlist, and kept it on the lax-ord.
phew!
Oct 26, 2015, 3:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Washington
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz Prez
Posts: 250
Great tip, I need to remember that for myself for the future, thanks. I'm always learning something new from this forum.