Oct 14, 2013, 10:31 am
Last edit by: mkasperzak
If the DidItClear website is going to be effective, it needs more members and trip upgrade data!
Please visit https://www.diditclear.com/ and include your trip experience with CPU's, RPU's, GPU's and any other means of upgrading available on United.
The better the data, the better the search results and experiential history.
Add / Edit Wikipost
Please visit https://www.diditclear.com/ and include your trip experience with CPU's, RPU's, GPU's and any other means of upgrading available on United.
The better the data, the better the search results and experiential history.
Add / Edit Wikipost
Specific GPU and RPU usage questions thread
Oct 10, 2015, 6:34 pm
#1501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
I thought GPUs came in above CPUs and RPUs in order of precedence and that I'd get at least that upgrade, but I only get a GPU to clear on the return XXX-DEN leg- and this is usually only on my returns if they are on a Saturday.
What trumps (besides fares) a 1K GPU? A GS GPU (which they should be buying business/first for TATL/TPACs, or else they would be 1Ks. Are there no R available ahead of time due to hub-hub flights and people buying last minute Y,B,M fares so that even a silver would trump me?
I've done pretty well with GPUs, but the domestic legs have been an eye opener as to why CPUs never clear.
What trumps (besides fares) a 1K GPU? A GS GPU (which they should be buying business/first for TATL/TPACs, or else they would be 1Ks. Are there no R available ahead of time due to hub-hub flights and people buying last minute Y,B,M fares so that even a silver would trump me?
I've done pretty well with GPUs, but the domestic legs have been an eye opener as to why CPUs never clear.
the order of clearance is based on fare class, then time of request, within a status band.
so for 1Ks, those on higher fare classes will clear first. in the event of a fare class tie, the earlier request for the instrument upgrade will clear first.
GS GPUs and RPUs clear into a different fare bucket (PN). So inherently you are not competing directly with GS for R space, however as GS requests clear into PN, it cuts down on the available BF/F inventory, and thus makes it less likely that R will open up.
Oct 10, 2015, 11:42 pm
#1502
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
.... What trumps (besides fares) a 1K GPU? A GS GPU (which they should be buying business/first for TATL/TPACs, or else they would be 1Ks. Are there no R available ahead of time due to hub-hub flights and people buying last minute Y,B,M fares so that even a silver would trump me?...
For non-CPU flights it simple --- status, fares, time of request. Plus GS clear into PN which is usually more available than R/RN.
For CPU flights it is more complex.
Again GS clear into PN for any ticket / upgrade method.
Then there are Instant Upgrades (also clear into PN) for Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares. Note Instant upgrade waitlist is sort by fare, status, time of request.
Then there are any supported (GPU/RPU/miles) upgrade -- status, fares, time of request.
And then CPUs.
So on domestic flights -- All GS (regardless of upgrade method since PN are handled first) and all Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares are ahead of 1Ks on GPU. (and 1Ks using supported upgrades on higher fares are also higher)
More available at MP Upgrades Overview
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 10, 2015 at 11:48 pm Reason: link
Oct 11, 2015, 12:50 pm
#1503
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Any data points lately for RPU to LIH or HNL? Been trying to find R for off season travel (early next Sept) and no luck. I've used them out of SFO and LAX successfully before but was hoping for flat bed out of IAH, DEN or ORD. Nada. Too soon to look?
Oct 11, 2015, 1:46 pm
#1504
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,145
v right now...
Oct 11, 2015, 6:10 pm
#1505
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
There are two waitlist systems -- one for CPU egilible flights and one for non-CPU flights.
For non-CPU flights it simple --- status, fares, time of request. Plus GS clear into PN which is usually more available than R/RN.
For CPU flights it is more complex.
Again GS clear into PN for any ticket / upgrade method.
Then there are Instant Upgrades (also clear into PN) for Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares. Note Instant upgrade waitlist is sort by fare, status, time of request.
Then there are any supported (GPU/RPU/miles) upgrade -- status, fares, time of request.
And then CPUs.
So on domestic flights -- All GS (regardless of upgrade method since PN are handled first) and all Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares are ahead of 1Ks on GPU. (and 1Ks using supported upgrades on higher fares are also higher)
More available at MP Upgrades Overview
For non-CPU flights it simple --- status, fares, time of request. Plus GS clear into PN which is usually more available than R/RN.
For CPU flights it is more complex.
Again GS clear into PN for any ticket / upgrade method.
Then there are Instant Upgrades (also clear into PN) for Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares. Note Instant upgrade waitlist is sort by fare, status, time of request.
Then there are any supported (GPU/RPU/miles) upgrade -- status, fares, time of request.
And then CPUs.
So on domestic flights -- All GS (regardless of upgrade method since PN are handled first) and all Y,B and for 1Ks' M fares are ahead of 1Ks on GPU. (and 1Ks using supported upgrades on higher fares are also higher)
More available at MP Upgrades Overview
Pretty much reinforced that with UA, you are GS or you are nothing. The lady in GB1 with me, which was literally half the plane and 5 times bigger than Group 5, said that when everyone is 1k, no one is 1k.
I still can't wait till the next recession when these UA management all of a sudden find the old timey religion of FF programs.
I'm researching laws about games of chance with buy ins that never pay out. CPUs are one thing, GPUs with fare restrictions forcing higher fares, but not getting them to clear seems to be a fixed game. Gotta be some cases of carnies with games that were unwinnable.
Oct 11, 2015, 6:48 pm
#1506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Redeeming a GPU
Can someone refresh my memory on how to use them?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
Oct 11, 2015, 7:40 pm
#1507
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM, Marriot, Hilton
Posts: 804
Can someone refresh my memory on how to use them?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
Oct 11, 2015, 7:43 pm
#1508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Can someone refresh my memory on how to use them?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
For example earlier this year as a Platinum I redeemed two RDU's from phx-sfo-hnl. I found the itinerary I wanted by selecting "Mileageplus upgrade reward", found R available flights, then viola I was done.
Is redeeming the GPU the same but I can now redeem on a phx-connection-lhr now via the same method?
Flyer friendly.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 11, 2015 at 10:56 pm
Oct 11, 2015, 7:52 pm
#1509
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Oct 11, 2015, 7:58 pm
#1510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 12, 2015 at 11:00 am
Oct 11, 2015, 8:02 pm
#1511
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Oct 11, 2015, 8:06 pm
#1512
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Okay to search for a GPU eligible fare I need to:
1. "enter specific class of service" and enter "W"
2. Also check "MileagePlus Upgrade Award".
W is the lowest coach fare to redeem a GPU? WHY doesn't United just have a clickable option that says "search by GPU eligible fare".
I've never been so disappointed to earn 1K in my life.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 11, 2015 at 10:58 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Oct 11, 2015, 9:03 pm
#1513
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Oct 11, 2015, 10:49 pm
#1514
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
W fare for GPUs has been true for a long time (since mid-2000's)
Suggest using http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-pay-deal.html for that discussion.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 11, 2015 at 11:01 pm Reason: self-merge
Oct 12, 2015, 9:29 am
#1515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
just mileage upgrades and no min fare class
for a UA operated non-CPU eligible flight, yes
the new web site does
W fare for GPUs has been true for a long time (since mid-2000's)
Suggest using http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-pay-deal.html for that discussion.
for a UA operated non-CPU eligible flight, yes
the new web site does
W fare for GPUs has been true for a long time (since mid-2000's)
Suggest using http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-pay-deal.html for that discussion.
however I'm very disappointed with my PHX-LHR search query. I picked some random Tuesday-Wednesday (8 days) at the end of FEBRUARY and out of three pages of search results that came back there is ZERO availability to redeem a GPU. All results are "waitlist only" and yes this is buying a W fare + GPU.
What gives? This should be the easiest time of year to redeem awards. Please tell me I'm doing something wrong. If I'm not I stand by my earlier post that they are effectively useless.
