"over water segment" is not the actual criteria used.

Actual rule, if any requested segment is BF or GF and no BF/GF clears, then the upgrade instrument (GPU or miles) should be returned, even if non-BF/GF segments cleared. RPUs do not have this exception and neither do itins that have no BF/GF requested segments.

In a large number of cases "over water segment" and BF/GF are the same but not all.

The only situation in which multiple segments have to clear in order for any of them to clear is if they are two segments using the same flight number (such as UA 803 that flies IAD-NRT and then also continues as UA 803 NRT to SIN). I don't think UA 49, BOM-EWR, goes anywhere beyond EWR.

WineCountry is correct about the difference between "over water" and BF/GF segments. If the BF/GF segment fails to clear, the GPU is returned after a few days to the account from which it came (in situations in which the GPU came from the account of a person other than the passenger).

Take back an RPU?
 

TL;DR: I have a few questions to figure out what's easier. Sorry if some of these have been asked before, but my searches yielded nothing.
1) Can I taked back an RPU for a confirmed upgrade and take my place in the CPU queue? When is my 'deadline' for this to go smoothly?
2) When is the last time I can apply an RPU for a confirmed seat if R>0?
3) If R=0 when is the last time to jump ahead of the CPU list?

Long version:
I have a redeye SMF-IAH in early May. As usual there's a few in F and E+ is almost empty (E- is filling up, so hopefully this won't be down-gauged), so at a month out it's holding at elite-light. While IAH redeyes usually stay elite light the Thursday departure and airbus F/Y ratio have me a little worried about my CPU chances. Lately I've just been watching the seatmap/R-count, but now my xIAH connection is filling up. I'm not 'worried' about upgrading on this flight, but if I'm going to use an RPU I'd rather it clear on both flights.

If I apply an RPU for confirmed upgrade (R7) now could I take it back the week before (I can usually tell if things are looking good for me by then)? As I mentioned I'd slightly prefer this since if I'm going to use it I'll also get my connection upgraded.

If that too messy to deal with, what are my options for throwing the RPU down at the last minute if my odds aren't looking good?

Thanks for the answers, can you elaborate on number 1?

It used to be the case that you could only cancel an upgrade if your original bucket had availabillity up until the flight went to airport control. After that, any seat would do. I don't know the current policy.

Interesting... thanks. Do you (or anyone else) know what pulling a UG while the flight is under airport control does for CPUs? I was kind of assuming it was a riskier option since it's very obvious you're reneging on an RPU.

Morning All,

A friend recently sponsored me for a GPU but the GPU expires April 30 2014. I am flying ORD->SIN on 4/30 and wondered if I will get hassled on the second leg of the trip since it is past the expiration date. Has anyone had a similar experience? Will UA only upgrade me the ORD->HKG leg?

Thanks

Not sure there is a lot of post merger experience on this but for PMUA, if the first segment was pre-expiration, the second segment for the same GPU could be post-expiration. Assuming you meet all the standard rules for multi-segment GPU usage. If the second segment shows confirmed / waitlisted, you should be fine.

+1 Thanks! Interestingly enough I pulled the GPU because only the first segment was upgraded and the second segment was still listed as UA Economy B class. I called and UA CS and since it was sponsored they wouldn't even discuss with me, had to have the sponsor call in and it became more of a hassle than anything else.

I should hit UA Gold for the year on the return TPAC segment, will they offer me a E+ seat for the return trip or is that only after I hit UA Gold? I understand a lot of this is subjective, just trying to understand if I should consider a buy-up to J or E+ because there are only middle seats available in economy on the return segment and don't want to spend 15+ hours in a middle seat in E-.

if the first segment has been sponsored there is no reason the sponsor needs to call to apply to the second (valid) segment. My guess you got a rookie agent.

strictly speaking it will not be until status has posted, a chance an agent would feel generous if asked. As a Silver you will have access at checkin.

Upgrades
 

First of all the fare type needs to be minimum W class or higher to upgrade any international journey

Last time I checked B class was well above W unless something has changed. In my experience it is the second highest fare class in economy to Y. Could be wrong.

Welcome to FT!, DipenmshahTo be more precise --- non-CPU eligble segments need to be W or higher fares to apply GPUs (mile upgrades can be done on any fare). There are CPU eligible international flights where GPUs can be used on any fare.
And in the posters case appears the fare is B, very much meeting the W or higher fare requirement.

Thanks for catching the welcome! I missed that...:o