RPUs (GPUs - I usually use these on domestic as well) were the single biggest reason that I stayed loyal to United. I don't expect to be able to use them all the time, but I also am not willing to risk a waitlist for the 1 or 2 vacations a year and yes I'm willing to be a bit flexible on dates however even with flexibility nothing is available to any place that I'd want to vacation. Technically speaking I would think an RPU is worth about $300 - as one can usually get a P fare in any market for about $300 over lowest coach. They do need to fix something on this. I'll still get 2 a year as a lifetime Plat, but even those seem useless at the moment. If I see things change and R becomes a little bit more readily available I may go for 1K again, but right now I think concentrating on AS to get back to Gold is the better equation. I was able to confirm upgrades and use a companion coupon for the dates I wanted over Thanksgiving. About $700 for 2 of us in First roundtrip. I was willing to pay $1400 and fly United (buy coach and upgrade) but since no R was available that was not an option. And they are not just loosing money from me but all my relatives as well as we often travel to the Island with them and they like to be on the same flights, so that usually means at least 2 more sometimes 4 more tickets (and often paid First) that don't go to United.