Originally Posted by
Hipplewm
Making sure I am thinking of this correctly:
Currently Plat (Status Match) but will def make 1K next year easily (2016)
Want to take Family to Hawaii for vacation (2017)
If we go CHS-EWR-HNL, can I use a single RPU each way? seems there is no fare class restriction.
Can I use a GPU as a RPU in this case as well, with no fare class restriction? or can I use it, but still maintain the fare restriction?
This trip will be in Jun/Jul/Aug 2017 for my Sons senior trip (He was born in Hawaii) and I did a trial and looked at 2016 tickets and when I used the "Upgrade" with miles option, every trip said waitlist for upgrade. I have no way to check for a RPU cause I don't have any yet, but I assume it will be the same (PN=0 and RN=0)
If I make these plans and tickets 10-12 months out, when will I know if the RPU clears? (Will it wait until T-24) or some arbitrary time when RN > 0 depending on some IT nerd playing with the computer?
OK, that should do it for my first round of questions
Basically looking at this option vs just straight award tickets
No fare class restriction for GPUs used to Hawaii.
Yes, it will be one GPU or RPU each way per ticket. So, (assuming) for four people, you'll need a total of 8 RPUS and GPUs.
The bad news is you are almost guaranteed unlikely to confirm 4 upgrades each way at the same time at booking. You can look for R availability in 2016 to gauge what your chances will look like in 2017. Mileage and RPU/GPU upgrades all require R. Your chances will be better if you do not insist on travelling to/from Hawaii F, Sa, or Su. You might also try IAD if the connection can be made to/from CHS.