RPU Question
 

I booked a flight: CLE-EWR-SFO for the spring 2016. I would like to use a RPU on my flight, specifically EWR-SFO. When I go to redeem upgrade, it says CLE-EWR available, EWR-SFO waitlisted. So here are my questions:

1) Is one RPU used for entire flight CLE-EWR-SFO? or do I need to use 2 RPUs?
2) If it is just one RPR, which is my guess, and if only CLE-EWR clears (which I really don't care about first class for that flight) and EWR-SFO does not upgrade, did I just loose an RPU because CLE-EWR cleared or will it be redeposited into my account?

FYI: class fare: W, EWR-SFO is United BusinessFirst and not eligible for CPU. Connection time at EWR is 3 hours.

Thanks

1. One RPU
2. If any segment clears, the RPU is used. Call and have it applied to only the EWR-SFO segment. If the agent says this can't be done, hang up and call again. If it then clears on EWR-SFO, you can apply to the CLE-EWR segment.

Many thanks! I'll call and follow your advice.

The rules have changed. Apply the RPU to the entire CLE-SFO route. Stay on the waitlist for EWR-SFO. If the EWR-SFO does not clear the RPU will be redeposited.

Really---even if EWR-CLE clears and EWR-SFO does not the RPU will be returned? Am I misreading that?

You are incorrect and that is poor advice.

A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown.

Regional Premier Upgrades

Still waitlisted for LAX-IAD tomorrow. Automatic check-in didn't seem to put me on the list (res did still say I was waitlisted with a RPU, but flight status did not), so I called.

Agent put me on hold for 10 minutes. Then came back suggesting it was too early (when I pushed on the fact it's definitely inside 24 hours now, she asked what time it was in LA). Then she suggested redoing check-in.

The latter worked, and for now I'm at the top of the list. Not hopeful as it's an L fare (still cost almost as much as my A fare on the outbound FWIW).

She then thanked me for being a Plat. LOL, I suppose it's been a long day for that agent...

Autocheckin does NOT check you in at T-24 IME.

Well done on your part ^

IME usually within 5-10 minutes of T-24.

R inventory showing on .com; still waitlisted
 

I applied an RPU to AAA-BBB-CCC after checking on .com with a dummy booking that AAA-BBB-CCC had at least R=2. BBB-CCC cleared, but AAA-BBB got waitlisted. I've double-checked again with another dummy booking and Expert Mode definitely shows me R inventory. There's even more R inventory when I just check just the AAA-BBB segment.

I called United 1K and they told me they're not showing the R availability. They even escalated to "Web Support" and I had that person check on .com while on the phone. She said .com showed R inventory but not on "their" system.

What gives? Why can't they push through the upgrade if inventory is showing on .com? Is what is showing on .com not reality? Do I HUCA?

Maybe it's just me then :(

SEVERAL times I checked in at T-23 and did NOT get the "you are already checked in" message.

Their system is what counts. There is some caching of data at times for the customer view and that's likely what the issue is.
Hmmm ... sounds like auto-checkin was not enabled in those cases (which some would prefer :D). Have you seen a delayed checkin completed by the auto system or some cases where it did not happen until you forced it?

Yes, I've seen it delayed in instances where I already had an upgrade, so early checkin was of no benefit, and I didn't want to interrupt my vacation.

In instances where I erroneously thought I had a shot (ended up at times #15 on u/g list) I made an attempt (I live in dark ages and still use only WiFi, so not online 24-7), and manual checkin would work - hence no "you're already checked in." Sometime as late as T-23, though I usually try earlier.

And yes, fully understand about NOT wanting to be checked in, using that when I know I'll be at hotel / cafe WiFi spot at T-24.

Canceling an RPU for a segment?
 

Despite my suggestion to only apply the RPU to the longer segment, Spouse went ahead and applied the RPU to the whole itinerary. :rolleyes: So now we have a confirmed upgrade on a <3 hr flight using a 2017 expiry RPU and a waitlisted upgrade that likely won't clear on the longer flight.

At what point can you cancel an RPU on a segment? As long as there are seats in economy, or are there other restrictions on cancelling? I really don't want to spend an RPU on a <3hr flight on a regional jet when we'll have plenty of other longer flights.

Just phone in and they can un-do the RPU and have it re-applied to your balance easily. Have them apply the RPU to waitlist only the longer segment that you want, and not the short one.