Quick Question about Global Upgrades
 

My wife has 2 upgrades left in her account that expire right around the end of the year. Do those upgrades need to be USED by their expiration date, or just BOOOKED by their expiration date, and used at a later date?

Sorry if this information is somewhere, I couldn't find it!

They need to be used by the expiration date.

In the past, UA has granted extensions to expiration dates.

Thank you, much appreciated!^

Moderator note

Have moved the discussion on extending unused GPUs to the existing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-extended.html -- since it is an annual topic and tends to get a lot of traffic, it best to separate it from this general GPU question thread.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

Ah, ok. That actually makes sense. If someone purchases a fare that can be eligible for an instant upgrade but instant upgrade space isn't available then will that be reflected in their position on the waitlist? Or are instant upgrades processed separately?

Thanks for the clarifications and sorry for the misinfo.

It's published:
Theoretically, these are all processed off the EUA beginning at T-120 and until the flight goes to the gate, at which point the list transfers to the published gate standby list which you can see on "flight status."

Note that the description of award ticket handling is somewhat misleading, as those are actually prioritized by Premier status (i.e., 1K award CPUs are processed before any Plat CPUs) rather than at the bottom of the list.

A buddy of mine and I are flying PIT-IAD-LHR 9 MAR 16 (UA122) on K fares. Assuming I complete my booked travel before EOY and hit 1K, what's the process of buying up to W to apply GPUs? Right now it's showing R=0 so it might be moot but I'd like to be able to track just in case. Also, is it possible to buy up to W on just the int'l legs?

Thanks!

Buying up to W fares will involve a change fee even for 1Ks. Buy a W on only the international segment may or may not be cheaper than upfaring the entire direction -- you need to ask for both options. Depends on the fare rules and fare combinability.

I feel like I'm missing something obvious, but I cannot find the answer in searching.

Booked a flight in B on UA with one segment on LH. Requested upgrade with gpu and am waitlisted. Looking at expertflyer they show:
J9 C8 D7 Z1 P0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T6 L0 K0

So question is what does UA B upgrade to at LH? J, C, D, Z, or P?

None of the above.

Are you saying you have a UA issued ticket and you're trying to upgrade an LH operated segment with a GPU? If available, that upgrade will book into I.

Yes, I have a UA ticket and trying to upgrade LH w/ GPU. Thank you for clarifying it upgrades to I. Does expertflyer not show I's or am I looking at it wrong? Can I search further or just wait since LH doesn't publish I availability?

ANA tool shows "OK" for that flight for award availability which I know is not the exact same as upgrade availability.

Actually, for purposes of this particular upgrade, that is exactly what you want to see.

You should read this thread for details on how to make this upgrade happen: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic

Premier Regional Updates are a complete joke
 

I am little frustrated that. They do not count for {anything} Anyone with few more miles gets CPU, so why to give them out at all? They do not really change your order in the upgrade Q.

Am I wrong about his?

I guess global still has some weight but that is eroding too.

It used to be a currency. Meaning it was a reward and you got to use it when you wanted to. You would go to the front of Q because they are limited number of them, and you have to earn them over time.

Very sad. May as well go back to Virgin America since it seems like I have to pay for first anyways. By the way about 50% of my tickets are purchased in first class fare straight out. But some have rediculous prices.

Am I wrong about this?

RPU's are near the top of the list. after YBM fares

Try to book a flight with R>0 and then you can upgrade at booking

........! 40 empty seats in business. 1K PRU number 67