searched but couldn't find (mods, feel free to move):

I'm a 1K about to sponsor a GM for SEA-EWR-PUJ (not accompanying).
If the upgrade clears before checkin, do they also get my 1K benefits in terms of 3 free checked bags and lounge access?

(if it was me, I'd have lounge access since it's in international itin)

They don't get the benefits of being a 1K.

If the upgrade clears in advance, they do the benefits of being in First, i.e. free checked bags and United Club access at SEA and EWR (because they're international premium cabin passengers per http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...ge/access.aspx ).

Good point, I didn't phrase my question properly.
I did mean just those 2 benefits because it was a premium cabin (though it's 2 free bags, not 3)

Greetings,

Have a question relating to an upcoming itinerary and I can't seem to find a good answer via FT Search or the website (might also be my searching skills). I've applied and waitlisted 2 GPUs for the following itinerary:

IAH-NRT-ICN - 1 GPU
ICN-NRT-IAH - 1 GPU

The NRT-ICN and ICN-NRT have cleared, but the IAH-NRT and NRT-IAH segments have not, nor do I expect them to.

Have I just blown 2 GPUs on this itinerary if the long-haul segments don't clear? Any strategy that I should be taking on not losing these? Unfortunately, I can't change the flights, as these are the best timings (and more importantly shorter than any alternatives).

Your help is greatly appreciated on this.

To my Knowledge you have to have the long haul segment clear for it to be taken away. As otherwise its just seen as a CPU. However as you have Asia involved im not 100% sure.

IIRC - if your route includes a GPU only segment, a GPU will be considered used only if the GPU only segment is cleared.

Since ICN-NRT is not a GPU only segment, I think you should be fine.

The 2 GPU's are already removed from your account and put against your reservation.

If only NRT-ICN both ways clears then you will need to call United after the trip is over and request the two GPU's be put back into your account. This is "supposed" to happen automatically but I've never waited long enough for it to.

GPU's are only considered used when they clear an upgrade on a flight that does not have CPU eligibility. NRT-ICN is CPU eligible so they are not considered "used".

If both NRT-IAH flights do not clear then you can get your GPU's back.

Enjoy.

-RM

Minor - but important - clarification to the above points which are nearly all correct: A GPU is only consumed if ALL of the GPU segments clear. So if you are flying USA-NRT-BKK/SIN and only one of the two long-hauls clears the GPU is refunded, not consumed. :-:

Oh, I was not aware of this. Does this apply in the case of SYD-SFO-FRA? I fly this route regularly and on the odd occasion in the past where only one of the legs has cleared the upgrade I was not refunded the GPU that I had applied and just assumed that that was that and never contacted MP .

I believe it should. Here's the text from United.com:

I'm aware that the current RPU policy states that if any domestic segment is upgraded, the RPU is considered used.

I'm also aware that the current GPU policy states that if the main int'l segment does not clear, you can request to have the GPU re-deposited.

What I'm curious about is if anyone has any actual experience using RPUs on flights to ANC (Anchorage, AK), and requesting a redeposit if it fails? Later this year, I have a ~7 hour red-eye flight ANC-IAH, and then a much shorter daytime hop IAH-CLE. I would of course love to u/g the red-eye from ANC, which is longer than many EWR->Europe flights! I couldn't really care less about the flight to CLE.

However, as it stands, it looks pretty good that IAH-CLE will clear, and that ANC-IAH will probably not.

Has anyone here successfully or unsuccessfully requested a redeposit in this scenario, in the past?

In your case, as both are CPU-eligible, it's used once one clears.

Nice thought, but no. Both flights are domestic. If the GPU clears on one leg, kiss it goodbye.

IIRC you can request to upgrade specific legs of an itin.

So if you feel good about u/g on short leg, leave it to CPU, and/or add to RPU once long leg clears.

EmailKid

Yes. Several times I have flown NYC-ORD-ANC and requested only an upgrade on the long leg; then I double back to get that upgraded after the first one clears.