Confused about upgrade priority
 

Searched and still confused about something. A friend, who is 1K, gifted my 2 RPUs for a flight next week. I'm Gold. As of now, is my priority based on her status or mine as far as upgrade order if seats in F open up? And, if I don't clear before the CPU window, when would I be eligible? At the 96-hour 1K hour mark or the 48-hour before flight time based on my status? Also, does RPU trump CPU or once it goes to the CPU window, is it all about status and upgrade instruments no longer matter? Thanks.

Upgrades
 

I am a 1K and I have looked into this in the past. If you are traveling alone the upgrade will be based off your status, if you had your 1K friend with you, it would be based off the 1K status.

On a side note, if there are two people on the same PNR than it goes off the higher status for the CPU (complimentary premier upgrade) but if there are 3 or more then it goes off the lowest. I am flying next year with two friends who are also 1K so I am not sure how that will work..

Good luck on the upgrade.

Mike

My company policy is generally the same (there is a business class policy for people who frequently travel super long hauls). But my personal policy is to not fly economy on segments exceeding three hours (except on RJs with a 1-2 seat config) so if there is no R space, I will do one of:
- pay the difference between highest price compliant Y fare and the next class of service and book the next class
- book an award trip in F
- book an extra seat next to me (actually have never done that, but it is an option)
- decline to travel

Sometimes when I do the last, I find a policy exception is made. :D

United Global Upgrades
 

I want to use my global upgrades for a flight for from IAH to Paris and from London, Heathrow to Houston. I have put in a request to redeem my upgrade and have been put on the waitlist. How are my chances at getting my upgrade cleared? Are there any other routes through Paris that I should consider so that I can get upgraded?

Its hard to tell until probably the day before on the day of your travel but you usually should have a good chance at being upgraded.

Its all about fare class and number of open seats. If they can sell them, they will. If not, you might be upgraded. I tend to buy high-dollar economy fares when I want upgrades so I get them.

Thanks @Akulashark. I do keep that in mind and opted for a higher fareclass but not the highest. I guess I will just keep checking back to wait and see.

It is impossible to tell without more details concerning flights and dates of travel. In general, upgrades to Europe can be difficult, particularly during popular travel periods. The suggestion that "you usually should have a good chance at being upgraded" is not well founded. It depends on the flight, the fare class, the time of year, and the particular loads on that day.

If you want to get a better sense of how this all works, I'd suggest doing some reading here on the forum, as GPU usage is a very popular topic.

If you share with us your travel dates we can look at current availability which can give you a better idea of your chances.

Also, if your travel dates are flexible you could look if any flights have R availability and confirm your upgrade at booking.

Quick question folks, I recently used a GPU to try to upgrade a flight from SFO to FRA with a connection in ORD. Obviously, I am only interested in upgrading ORD-FRA. As it turns out, I am flying in 2 days and my SFO-ORD leg upgraded but the ORD-FRA did not. If I end up not getting the ORD-FRA upgraded, do I get my GPU back or is it lost?

based on my experience, you should get the GPU back if the long haul segment doesn't get upgraded.

My experience as well - you should get it back. If not definitely call united.

Related question. Someone flying shortly was gifted a GPU. They are waitlisted from HKG to SFO, but confirmed from SFO to LAX.

If HKG-SFO doesn't clear, should he cancel the SFO-LAX upgrade so the sponsor gets his GPU back, or can he fly it and the sponsor will get it back anyway?

No need to cancel the upgrade. The sponsor should receive the GPU back if the BusinessFirst segment doesn't clear - regardless of if the domestic (non-BusinessFirst domestic service) segment falls before or after the int'l segment. He may need to call UA to have the GPU redeposited, but it shouldn't be a problem.

-FlyerBeek

I have never had to call (although this forum is full of people who have). You usually see it back in your account about 3 to 4 days after travel. Unfortunately on the TLV EWR route this has happened all too often

I am reminded of the gym club episode of Seinfeld, where every time he upgrades his membership to a higher level, silver, gold then platinum he discovers there is a secret higher level that he aspires to ....