Do I get an RPU back if I apply it to a BusinessFirst route that fails to clear?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,889
Do I get an RPU back if I apply it to a BusinessFirst route that fails to clear?
Looking at EWR-SFO-HNL flights where EWR-SFO is R0 and SFO-HNL is R positive.
If I apply a GPU and only SFO-HNL clears, do I get the GPU back? It seems to me that the premium cabin on EWR-SFO is called "BusinessFirst" in at least one place on the UA web site, but the premium cabin on SFO-HNL is just called "first".
Then same question for RPU -- if I apply and RPU and only SFO-HNL clears, do I get the RPU back? Similarly it seems to me that the premium cabin on EWR-SFO is called "BusinessFirst" in at least one place on the UA web site, but the premium cabin on SFO-HNL is just called "first".
But I don't know if the special UA t&c for refunding a partially used GPU that touched no BusinessFirst sectors also applies to RPUs.
If I apply a GPU and only SFO-HNL clears, do I get the GPU back? It seems to me that the premium cabin on EWR-SFO is called "BusinessFirst" in at least one place on the UA web site, but the premium cabin on SFO-HNL is just called "first".
Then same question for RPU -- if I apply and RPU and only SFO-HNL clears, do I get the RPU back? Similarly it seems to me that the premium cabin on EWR-SFO is called "BusinessFirst" in at least one place on the UA web site, but the premium cabin on SFO-HNL is just called "first".
But I don't know if the special UA t&c for refunding a partially used GPU that touched no BusinessFirst sectors also applies to RPUs.
Last edited by mherdeg; Feb 5, 2016 at 12:39 am
#2
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: 66,580
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta GM
Posts: 66
I applied one JFK-SFO-HNL and only cleared on SFO-HNL, and I made the argument that since JFK-SFO was both the longer (distance) and more significant (lie flat vs. Hawaii 777) upgrade, that I should get the RPU back. But they said that the overwater leg was the one that mattered.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,925
I applied one JFK-SFO-HNL and only cleared on SFO-HNL, and I made the argument that since JFK-SFO was both the longer (distance) and more significant (lie flat vs. Hawaii 777) upgrade, that I should get the RPU back. But they said that the overwater leg was the one that mattered.
From the RPU rules: "A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown." No argument required.
In your case, the overwater leg DID matter, because it was the one that cleared and therefore the RPU is used. If you cleared JFK-SFO and not SFO-HNL, the JFK-SFO would have mattered and the RPU considered used. The only way you get a RPU back is if no segments clear.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Feb 4, 2016 at 5:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta GM
Posts: 66
Not really. If either one cleared and not the other, the RPU is considered used. You either got a wrong answer or you misunderstood a correct answer.
From the RPU rules: "A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown." No argument required.
In your case, the overwater leg DID matter, because it was the one that cleared and therefore the RPU is used. If you cleared JFK-SFO and not SFO-HNL, the JFK-SFO would have mattered and the RPU considered used. The only way you get a RPU back is if no segments clear.
From the RPU rules: "A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown." No argument required.
In your case, the overwater leg DID matter, because it was the one that cleared and therefore the RPU is used. If you cleared JFK-SFO and not SFO-HNL, the JFK-SFO would have mattered and the RPU considered used. The only way you get a RPU back is if no segments clear.
You were upgraded on what's called the "over the water" segment of your flight. That flight is considered the major portion of the travel and the upgrade is confirmed for that posrtion. A upgrade on the domestic portion is not guaranteed.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,925
Fair enough. Just for purposes of showing what I meant, this was the reply when I asked:
You were upgraded on what's called the "over the water" segment of your flight. That flight is considered the major portion of the travel and the upgrade is confirmed for that posrtion. A upgrade on the domestic portion is not guaranteed.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Feb 4, 2016 at 6:10 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,300
Fair enough. Just for purposes of showing what I meant, this was the reply when I asked:
You were upgraded on what's called the "over the water" segment of your flight. That flight is considered the major portion of the travel and the upgrade is confirmed for that posrtion. A upgrade on the domestic portion is not guaranteed.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,751
Hawaii is (contrary to some agents' belief) domestic and the overwater segment he/she would correctly be referring to is a int'l BF destination. In those cases, the domestic portion is not guaranteed, but if the upgrade does not clear for a int'l BF (overwater) portion of it, the instrument is refunded.
looks like i got instrument refund policy confused with MP award upgrade refund policy.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,131
From https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...wupgrades.aspx :
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 is NOT the case for RPUs.
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,300
That's what the rule says but I don't believe we have any confirmation that's how it actually works since they changed ps to a BF route. Until someone reports getting their GPU back, I'd be hesitant to make such a definitive statement.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,840
nope. Applied to both. Did not expect it to come back ... and it was inconsequential ... 3 expired 1/31/16
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,131
And remember, none of this is new. p.s. has moved which means more potential for connections at the EWR end, but the old JFK p.s. was exactly the same rules regarding upgrades.
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 693
It took me 4 emails but I got my GPU back in December when MIA-EWR cleared but EWR-SFO did not.