Originally Posted by
cpyankees25
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.
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.