PN
 

I found out some changes are being made to make upgrades easier - the PN bucket is now being used for GPU upgrades. The process change being made is still in progress but not sure what else this entails.

HKG-GUM-HNL-ORD 1 or 2 RPU?
 

Does this itinerary requires one or two regional upgrade?

It's all one way without any stop in between, just connecting flight. I requested upgrade online and it only asked for 1 regional upgrade. The upgrade for HKG-GUM and HNL-ORD cleared but then HNL-ORD got put back to economy later on. Called united and they said because there is a segment in between that requires SWU, therefore I would need 2 regional upgrade. So, is what the agent said right?

I am just wanting to know what the right answer is and not necessarily force an agent to bend the rule. Thanks!

I think GUM-HNL requires a GPU and a W+ fare.

At least according to the Upgrades Overview page

Oh. I better clarify my question here. I don't need GUM-HNL to be upgraded. All I want is to have HKG-GUM and HNL-ORD be upgraded. Just wanted to know since HKG-GUM-HNL-ORD is one way, does it require 1 or 2 Regional upgrade.

Interesting question.

I know I did a mileage upgrade across three segment? Where the middle didn't confirm, but the others did. I processed on the phone, and it took a while. But not sure what the actual rule/ policy is.

Is this for GS only, or all GPUs? I just took a quick look SFO-HKG in October and PN is much more plentiful than R. (The fact they're showing PN at all on this route is interesting, since that's supposed to be a domestic upgrade Y/B/M fare class.)

My gut says it would require 2 RPUs since this itinerary is made "too complex" for SHARES given the GPU segment in the middle and the date changes.

It wasn't specified if it was just for GS. That's a good question; for the past week all my GPU sponsored upgrades for companion and I cleared to the PN bucket.

I too would love to know the answer to this

For an April WLG-SYD-SFO-LHR RT all the GPUable segments are PN9 and R0. If it's the PN bucket I will pull the trigger and purchase now

If these are being transitioned I expect R is the current upgrade bucket and when switched over PN will become 0 (in which case I may as well wait until closer to the time)

Jeff

I'm guessing it's for GS only, that's mostly based on speculation and fact that only people reporting this "glitch" so far are GS.

You could always book the ticket and attempt the upgrade. Then cancel within 24 hours if it doesn't clear into PN.

I thought if it was a 2 class plane without the lie flats 757, etc. that you only needed a RPU for this? I have never taken this route, but remembered all the discussion when it was first announced early last year after the merger.

1 RPU only. Call another agent and try again.

Shouldn't it require a GPU, seeing it is international?

I just booked this week and cleared into R, rather than PN, with a 1K sponsored GPU

Per UA's Upgrade Chart

HKG-GUM is "Intra-Asia, Oceania" so 1 RPU there.

GUM - HNL is GPU only

HNL - ORD is "Hawaii" so RPU too.

I would be surprised if there is an "official" rule to handle this itinerary since it's very uncommon. I guess it's up to you if you want to play agent roulette until you get a winner (and risk the upgrade space going away) or just use two RPUs.

It may also have to do with how the trip is fared. Is it one fare HKG-ORD with 3 segments or is it broken up? Is it all on one ticket number? If both of those are "yes" than I think you'd have an easier time arguing that you should be able to do it with one upgrade. However, in the end it will all come down to the mood of the agent you talk to. If you get one that is a clear "no" I'd nicely hang-up and try again else risk them commenting in your record.