Wasn't able to find an answer to this when searching...

I have an RPU that cleared. If this RPU is canceled, does the space go back into R/RN inventory? My guess is no, but I wanted to check.

The reason is because I want to apply a second e-cert to one of the passengers on the itinerary that I didn't do during booking, and UA says I would have to basically start over to get that applied, meaning I would lose the cleared upgrade and have to see if it clears when we rebook. If it goes back into R/RN immediately, it'll be worth it to try and do this, otherwise too risky.

definitively not automatic, would not count on it.

Thanks, that's what I thought but wanted to be sure.

So I'm booked on T to TLV, which means no INTL upgrade for me.
If I want to upgrade the domestic part, is there a difference if I throw a GPU or RPU at it?

Thanks,

no difference in priority or eligible fares on domestic/CPU routes but GPU can have greater value.

If you have no other use for your GPU then you may be better off heading over to coupon connection. Many people will do a 1 GPU for 2 RPU.

In your case, no difference.

However, if you have bought a GPUable fare, there is a difference.

GPU is not considered used unless your GPU-only segment has been cleared. In other word, even a GPU has deducted and cleared a domestic segment of an international reservation, you can still request a re-deposit as soon as the GPU-only segment has not been cleared.

Thanks to all, great info!
I will keep the info from @garykund in memory, that's good to know!

Flying BOS-LAX tonight. At booking and every other time I checked until last night, flight was showing to be operated by a p.s. configured 757-200 (flat bed seats in F). So I decided to use a GPU about a week or two ago to improve my upgrade chances (since I don't have any RPUs left). Upgrade didn't clear so I was added to the upgrade standby list at check-in. But I just noticed as of this morning they subbed back a plain old 757-200 with no flat bed seats. I don't wanna waste my GPU on this dinosaur aircraft; can I withdraw the request now or do I just have to wait and see if it clears at this point? And if I can withdraw the request would I still remain on the upgrade list with lower priority as a potential CPU upgrade?

You can withdraw. One phone agent told me it had to be done at the airport (I don't know if I would have gotten a different answer if I had HUCAed). GAs got it done, though. You will have to be re-added to the list as a CPU... did not happen automatically.

Also, to confirm my understanding... for a PNR with more than one person, one RPU/GPU is needed per direction per person? So if it's two passengers on the PNR would need four total to upgrade outbound and return? And if only one RPU is applied to one passenger (via "edit travelers"), then the PNR will be split to accommodate?

What happens if the instruments are applied from different types of accounts (GS and 1K), do they clear individually according to that status, or clear according to highest status?

Four instruments to upgrade two pax on a roundtrip.

GS and 1K instruments clear into different buckets - GS into PN, 1K into R. So it's not a question of "highest status" it's a question of fare bucket availability.

Oh, yes, that's what I meant, so it's possible that the GS instrument clears into PN while the 1K doesn't clear (if no R), and v.v.... Though usually PN >= R? Will the PNR be split in that case? Will the uncleared pax still be eligible for CPU either due to status or as a companion or will the RPU always clear first?

R is never greater than PN.

I don't think you'll be able to separately upgrade two pax on the same flight without splitting PNRs, but am not 100% sure. If you have limited instruments, you can upgrade only one of the flights on a RT itinerary, but that would be for two passengers.

Flying SFO-IAD-ZRH-BOM with the ZRH-BOM leg on Swiss Air with my wife in December and the back on all UA metal BOM-EWR-SFO in January. Q class on the way there and W on the way back. A few newbie questions:

1. I don't have any GPUs but have some RPUs - if I apply the RPUs now on the domestic legs can I pull the RPUs if I convince a friend with GPUs left over to trade, etc or is it a done deal once I apply the RPU?

2. Does the fact that I am flying on Swiss Air for the last leg impact my GPU clearing chances? (I know I won't get upgrade on the ZRH-BOM leg)

3. My wife is non-elite and we are on separate PNRs. Will she clear on an RPU/GPU based on my account status or her own if they are coming from my account?

Thanks in advance!