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Specific GPU and RPU usage questions thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat (former 1K)
Posts: 296
Specific GPU and RPU usage questions thread
I have an itin ($1,050; 25,436 miles) I booked today which is YYZ-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG-SIN and vice versa (booked in K class, so all segments except HNL-GUM and vice versa should be upgradable with RPUs, and by extension, GPUs)
But when I look at upgrading online using instruments, it's breaking up my itin into 2 upgradeable segments each way: YYZ-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG and HKG-SIN. ie. it wants 4 instruments to upgrade the entire eligible portion of the itin, instead of 2 GPUs.
Granted there is a 23 hour stopover (not layover) in HKG (12 hours on way back), but I wouldn't expect that to matter.
I called UA 1K line once and got a clueless agent.
Questions:
1: Shouldn't a single GPU allow upgrades for one direction, i.e. YYZ-IAH-HNL and GUM-HKG-SIN (since HNL-GUM isn't eligible due to class)?
2: On the online upgrade screen, when I click on the upgrade-using-RPU-or-GPU button, it shows YYZ-IAH-HNL and GUM-HKG are eligible for RPU (looks like 1 RPU but from past experience that would take 2 RPU) but the GPU would only cover YYZ-IAH and GUM-HKG. How is that possible? Just a glitch? On the outbound, it shows seats available for ugprade (not waitlist)
3: Does it matter if I do the upgrade online (with 2 GPUs) and then call to make sure all segments (except HNL-GUM, GUM-HNL) are upgraded/waitlisted, or should I only do it over the phone?
Thanks in advance
But when I look at upgrading online using instruments, it's breaking up my itin into 2 upgradeable segments each way: YYZ-IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG and HKG-SIN. ie. it wants 4 instruments to upgrade the entire eligible portion of the itin, instead of 2 GPUs.
Granted there is a 23 hour stopover (not layover) in HKG (12 hours on way back), but I wouldn't expect that to matter.
I called UA 1K line once and got a clueless agent.
Questions:
1: Shouldn't a single GPU allow upgrades for one direction, i.e. YYZ-IAH-HNL and GUM-HKG-SIN (since HNL-GUM isn't eligible due to class)?
2: On the online upgrade screen, when I click on the upgrade-using-RPU-or-GPU button, it shows YYZ-IAH-HNL and GUM-HKG are eligible for RPU (looks like 1 RPU but from past experience that would take 2 RPU) but the GPU would only cover YYZ-IAH and GUM-HKG. How is that possible? Just a glitch? On the outbound, it shows seats available for ugprade (not waitlist)
3: Does it matter if I do the upgrade online (with 2 GPUs) and then call to make sure all segments (except HNL-GUM, GUM-HNL) are upgraded/waitlisted, or should I only do it over the phone?
Thanks in advance
Last edited by poverty.jet.set; Jul 28, 2012 at 10:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
K fare is not an eligible fare for GPU's for international travel. Shorter/domestic flights can be upgraded but normally there is a limit of three segments IIRC. Not sure if Guam is eligible, but perhaps not.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
The computer is confused because you have a long layover in HKG before going to SIN. Although technically less than 24 hours I believe you will have to get a very experienced agent who understands the new rules to apply the RPU.
Good luck and expect a small headache in the process.
-RM
Good luck and expect a small headache in the process.
-RM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat (former 1K)
Posts: 296
In fact those same intra-asia flights are eligible for RPUs as well, though that would require 2 RPUs in each direction (one in the north america region, and one in the asia region) -- found that one out a few months ago on a similar itin.
Haven't heard of a 3 segment limit, but who knows. Although another page on GPUs does contain the disclaimer "other restriction may apply." Nice
Last edited by poverty.jet.set; Oct 7, 2012 at 9:23 am Reason: fixed typo
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
The image you posted says Redeem 1 GPU or 1 RPU. where does it say 2? It appears to be showing you what segments are upgrade eligible for GPU and which for RPU.
Question does IAH-HNL not allow GPU on K fare but RPU does? if so might want to use RPU instead.
Question does IAH-HNL not allow GPU on K fare but RPU does? if so might want to use RPU instead.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
In any case, I would use an RPU anyways (since it's not a W or above fare, a GPU won't help on the HNL-GUM segment).
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
It's showing 1 CR1 for YYZ-HKG. There's no option to use it for the HKG-SIN segment thereby necessitating (potentially) a second cert for that flight.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat (former 1K)
Posts: 296
The way I read the cahrts, IAH-HNL should be upgradeable with either GPU or RPU, independent of fare class.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jul 29, 2012 at 10:16 pm Reason: merge
#9
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
The HNL-GUM segment is NOT eligible to be upgraded with either a GPU or RPU because it is a K-fare. That route requires a W-fare or higher. (as is clearly posted in the "upgrades overview" section of the website)
Therefore, the segments BEFORE that segment need one upgrade instrument and the segments AFTER that segment need a separate upgrade instrument.
(It doesn't have anything to do with the 3-segment limit that I speculated about earlier)
Therefore, the segments BEFORE that segment need one upgrade instrument and the segments AFTER that segment need a separate upgrade instrument.
(It doesn't have anything to do with the 3-segment limit that I speculated about earlier)
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
I've never seen ual.com show military times for flights...do you have it set to another country? Does the Canada setting switch it to military time?
#11
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
www.united.com > My Account > Profile > Regional and Language Preferences
Code:
Date & Time Format Preferences Date Format: Time Format: O July 15 O 12-Hour Clock (12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.) O 15 July O 24-Hour Clock (00:00 - 23:59)
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA, AA, LH, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Hertz
Posts: 1,759
Isn't there a rule that any layover longer than 12 hours breaks the validity of a single GPU to be used to upgrade the entire OW direction? I believe that the similar rule for RPUs is for any layover over 4 hours. That may be the reason for OPs inability to use the single GPU to upgrade all the way to SIN.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat (former 1K)
Posts: 296
Update - couldn't do it with just 2 upgrades
Talked to a good agent who tried lots of variations, but in the end we weren't able to do it with 1 upgrade in each direction.
I ended up using 3 RPUs to upgrade YYZ-IAH-HNL, GUM-HKG-SIN (waitlisted) and HNL-IAH-YYZ; I'll take my chance for CPUs on SIN-HKG-GUM since I had some RPUs to use up.
Couldn't get a 100% definitive answer on the reasons, but it seems to boil down to it being so many flights/regions.
aside: at the time I booked, the W fare was $1800 vs my $1000 K fare.
I ended up using 3 RPUs to upgrade YYZ-IAH-HNL, GUM-HKG-SIN (waitlisted) and HNL-IAH-YYZ; I'll take my chance for CPUs on SIN-HKG-GUM since I had some RPUs to use up.
Couldn't get a 100% definitive answer on the reasons, but it seems to boil down to it being so many flights/regions.
aside: at the time I booked, the W fare was $1800 vs my $1000 K fare.
#14
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
As for post merger, have not seen any posted rules or heard of flyer expereinces.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Talked to a good agent who tried lots of variations, but in the end we weren't able to do it with 1 upgrade in each direction.
I ended up using 3 RPUs to upgrade YYZ-IAH-HNL, GUM-HKG-SIN (waitlisted) and HNL-IAH-YYZ; I'll take my chance for CPUs on SIN-HKG-GUM since I had some RPUs to use up.
Couldn't get a 100% definitive answer on the reasons, but it seems to boil down to it being so many flights/regions.
aside: at the time I booked, the W fare was $1800 vs my $1000 K fare.
I ended up using 3 RPUs to upgrade YYZ-IAH-HNL, GUM-HKG-SIN (waitlisted) and HNL-IAH-YYZ; I'll take my chance for CPUs on SIN-HKG-GUM since I had some RPUs to use up.
Couldn't get a 100% definitive answer on the reasons, but it seems to boil down to it being so many flights/regions.
aside: at the time I booked, the W fare was $1800 vs my $1000 K fare.
I would use RPU on SIN-HKG because it's 744 vs HKG-SIN crappy 737.
Still, tough life! I would spend $$ to get W fare and use GPU to sit in C.