Jun 30, 2013, 9:22 am
Last edit by: PTahCha
I am flying on LH, but the ticket was not issued by LH; it is a code share. May I use a paper GPU?
Yes, the terms and conditions printed on the paper GPU are explicit on this point. Note that starting in 2014, when PQD-based elite qualification starts for 2015, flights on LH metal but not on UA 016 ticket stock earn zero PQDs, so we hope these terms and conditions continue.
How soon should I attempt to request to be added to the upgrade wait list (aka as the grading list)?
Because LH policy is to not upgrade a pax if there are not enough meals for that cabin, and because catering, even in FRA, requires as much as three hours notice, you should plan to present your request 3.5 hours before the flight departs.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC, how many GPUs do I need?
Two.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. When I check in at AAA, can I be added to the upgrade list for BBB-CCC?
Policy says no. There have been exceptions reported.
Can I be added to the upgrade list over the phone?
Policy says no.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. When I check in at AAA, can the LH people there alert catering in BBB that I intend to upgrade BBB-CCC?
Policy says yes. In practice, it rarely works. There have been exceptions reported.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. AAA-BBB is not LH metal, BBB-CCC is LH metal. When I arrive in BBB there won't be any LH people airside to request addition to the grading list. What should I do?
Exit the airside area of BBB 3.5 hours before the next LH flight from BBB departs and head to the LH check in counter.
I have reserved a special meal. May I use a GPU and eat my special meal?
Policy says no. A special meal will prevent you from being upgraded.
As a pax departing in F on LH metal may I use the LH FCL or FCT?
Yes.
As a pax arriving in F on LH metal may I use the LH FCL?
Yes.
As a pax departing in F on LH metal may I use the UA GFL?
Yes if not departing from IAD. In IAD you may be directed to the LH Senators Lounge , which is contrary to the Star Alliance lounge access policy and may not be official; see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20895856-post36.html .
As a pax arriving in F on LH metal may I use the UA GFL?
No.
If I am connecting in a station that has an FCT, and I am departing on LH metal in F, may I use the FCT?
Yes.
What are my chances upgrading from J to F on LH metal?
In general, very good. The earlier you try, the better.
If I go to the airport the night before departure, can I be added to the grading list?
Policy says no, but there have been exceptions reported, such as someone who has an overnight layover.
If I go to the airport the day of departure, but before I am ready to check bags, can I be added to upgrade list?
Yes.
I am traveling on a fare class that is not explicitly listed as permitted or prohibited on the paper GPU. May I use my GPU?
If the fare class prices out to less than any one of the prohibited fare classes, then assume no.
If the fare class prices out to more than any one of the permitted_ fare classes, then assume yes.
Does the person who sponsored the upgrade have to be present when the upgraded is requested?
No.
Does the person who sponsored the upgrade have to be traveling on the same flight?
No.
Do I call the 1K desk or the MileagePlus service center to get a paper GPU?
The latter. If you try the former, it is likely the 1K agent will confuse this request with a Star Alliance upgrade request, and then tell you that your fare class is prohibited. Keep in mind that outside of M+, few UA employees have ever seen a paper GPU for use on LH.
What is the number of the MileagePlus service center?
See http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/contact/mileageplus/contact.aspx .
Or call the GS/1K phone line and select the "MileagePlus Servicing" option.
I called that the MileagePlus service center and the agent had no idea what I was talking about.
Call again.
The new policy requiring the paper GPU certificate to match an LH flight number and pax name means I cannot have any "on hand" when flying a TATL on UA metal to and from Germany in case of irrops and rebooked to LH metal, right?
According to new policy, correct. However, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20728446-post248.html documents a case where the LH employee only cared about the pax name on the GPU matching the name on the ticket.
Are flights operated by Privatair dba LH eligible to use a LH GPU Certificate?
According to, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21655941-post362.html, yes.
Yes, the terms and conditions printed on the paper GPU are explicit on this point. Note that starting in 2014, when PQD-based elite qualification starts for 2015, flights on LH metal but not on UA 016 ticket stock earn zero PQDs, so we hope these terms and conditions continue.
How soon should I attempt to request to be added to the upgrade wait list (aka as the grading list)?
Because LH policy is to not upgrade a pax if there are not enough meals for that cabin, and because catering, even in FRA, requires as much as three hours notice, you should plan to present your request 3.5 hours before the flight departs.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC, how many GPUs do I need?
Two.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. When I check in at AAA, can I be added to the upgrade list for BBB-CCC?
Policy says no. There have been exceptions reported.
Can I be added to the upgrade list over the phone?
Policy says no.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. When I check in at AAA, can the LH people there alert catering in BBB that I intend to upgrade BBB-CCC?
Policy says yes. In practice, it rarely works. There have been exceptions reported.
I am traveling from AAA-BBB-CCC. AAA-BBB is not LH metal, BBB-CCC is LH metal. When I arrive in BBB there won't be any LH people airside to request addition to the grading list. What should I do?
Exit the airside area of BBB 3.5 hours before the next LH flight from BBB departs and head to the LH check in counter.
I have reserved a special meal. May I use a GPU and eat my special meal?
Policy says no. A special meal will prevent you from being upgraded.
As a pax departing in F on LH metal may I use the LH FCL or FCT?
Yes.
As a pax arriving in F on LH metal may I use the LH FCL?
Yes.
As a pax departing in F on LH metal may I use the UA GFL?
Yes if not departing from IAD. In IAD you may be directed to the LH Senators Lounge , which is contrary to the Star Alliance lounge access policy and may not be official; see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20895856-post36.html .
As a pax arriving in F on LH metal may I use the UA GFL?
No.
If I am connecting in a station that has an FCT, and I am departing on LH metal in F, may I use the FCT?
Yes.
What are my chances upgrading from J to F on LH metal?
In general, very good. The earlier you try, the better.
If I go to the airport the night before departure, can I be added to the grading list?
Policy says no, but there have been exceptions reported, such as someone who has an overnight layover.
If I go to the airport the day of departure, but before I am ready to check bags, can I be added to upgrade list?
Yes.
I am traveling on a fare class that is not explicitly listed as permitted or prohibited on the paper GPU. May I use my GPU?
If the fare class prices out to less than any one of the prohibited fare classes, then assume no.
If the fare class prices out to more than any one of the permitted_ fare classes, then assume yes.
Does the person who sponsored the upgrade have to be present when the upgraded is requested?
No.
Does the person who sponsored the upgrade have to be traveling on the same flight?
No.
Do I call the 1K desk or the MileagePlus service center to get a paper GPU?
The latter. If you try the former, it is likely the 1K agent will confuse this request with a Star Alliance upgrade request, and then tell you that your fare class is prohibited. Keep in mind that outside of M+, few UA employees have ever seen a paper GPU for use on LH.
What is the number of the MileagePlus service center?
See http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/contact/mileageplus/contact.aspx .
Or call the GS/1K phone line and select the "MileagePlus Servicing" option.
I called that the MileagePlus service center and the agent had no idea what I was talking about.
Call again.
The new policy requiring the paper GPU certificate to match an LH flight number and pax name means I cannot have any "on hand" when flying a TATL on UA metal to and from Germany in case of irrops and rebooked to LH metal, right?
According to new policy, correct. However, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20728446-post248.html documents a case where the LH employee only cared about the pax name on the GPU matching the name on the ticket.
Are flights operated by Privatair dba LH eligible to use a LH GPU Certificate?
According to, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21655941-post362.html, yes.
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
Feb 12, 2013 | 8:14 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: Current: UA 1K, AA EXP; BA Silver; Former: EK Gold (2004-11), LH SEN (2007-14)
Posts: 275
One devaluation was last year was when LH stopped accepting SWU's from Z to F upgrades. Fair enough you may say since UA doesn't allow them either, but still that was a huge draw for me, since India to FRA would usually clear to F and that would provide FCL access in FRA.
This makes it even harder to use.
Then why am I not so upset? Because I have already moved ~65% of my travel to AA/BA/Oneworld after the EXP match, and the decision is looking better every day.
Will still make 0P/1K this year, but effectively, I'm now a Kayaker (at least between *A and OW) and only pick UA when the route/price makes sense.
This makes it even harder to use.
Then why am I not so upset? Because I have already moved ~65% of my travel to AA/BA/Oneworld after the EXP match, and the decision is looking better every day.
Will still make 0P/1K this year, but effectively, I'm now a Kayaker (at least between *A and OW) and only pick UA when the route/price makes sense.
Feb 12, 2013 | 8:49 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,959
Feb 12, 2013 | 8:59 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 297
This is patently absurd and makes these certificates practically unusable, especially for multi segment itineraries where you don't know which segments will clear.
Perhaps this was the intended effect. Big thumbs down.
Perhaps this was the intended effect. Big thumbs down.
Feb 12, 2013 | 9:17 pm
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PARIS, FRANCE!
Posts: 61,970
Ahhhh...more and more and more zen about my decision to not be 1k for the first time in 12 years.
Meanwhile, Z-type fares remain cheaper on the competition. ^
Meanwhile, Z-type fares remain cheaper on the competition. ^
Feb 12, 2013 | 9:22 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,270
Do the existing GPUs have any expiry or "valid until" dates on them?
Looks like the best option is to order a bunch before March 1st.
Looks like the best option is to order a bunch before March 1st.
Feb 12, 2013 | 9:28 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 788
Yes, the ones that I just ordered a couple of weeks ago are valid till January 31, 2014. I am concerned that there might be issues with LH agents accepting these "current" paper certs one the new ones come out as the current ones don't have any of the information that the new ones will. I guess we'll just have to wait-and-see.
Feb 12, 2013 | 9:51 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 876
Exactly how will these changes enable more seamless product experience?
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:00 pm
#39
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 18,093
It's zero steps forward and three steps back with United, and this is just another sad example.
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:06 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM Gold, DL Plat, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Gold, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 546
It must be hard to get up and go to work each day at United. Trying to sell something like this as an 'enhancement' is laughable. The catalyst for this change was LH not being able to track where they were being used? Seriously? Veteran flyers (many of whom are or were veteran business men and women in their own right) are expected to believe that this ridiculous scheme is the best solution for everyone involved? Come on, Aaron...
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:14 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 13,343
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:15 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
The only thing surprising about this announcement is that today is Tuesday and not Friday 
The time was about right (16h51) however, as well as the spin on the news and what it means for the 'business' customers UA is trying to *win* back...
What another horrible situation for 1K/GSs...
As a proud user of 2 SWUs last year from FRA-JNB on the 380 (in order to use all 6 SWUs up on a single trip, to get rid of them...), I find this change obviously one that I do NOT like and one that only benefits LH.
I've had two of these requests denied in the past (HKG-MUC) and it took forever to get the SWUs re-credited to my account...now I'd have to do this on every single segment?
I wish this were a joke, but of course, it's the new UA, and as Jeffy Jeff says, he's going to make some changes that he thinks we'll like...
Looks like there are a lot of people here who like this change
Now, this is even more incentive to use up the SWUs on one trip!
-jeremy
The time was about right (16h51) however, as well as the spin on the news and what it means for the 'business' customers UA is trying to *win* back...What another horrible situation for 1K/GSs...
As a proud user of 2 SWUs last year from FRA-JNB on the 380 (in order to use all 6 SWUs up on a single trip, to get rid of them...), I find this change obviously one that I do NOT like and one that only benefits LH.
I've had two of these requests denied in the past (HKG-MUC) and it took forever to get the SWUs re-credited to my account...now I'd have to do this on every single segment?
I wish this were a joke, but of course, it's the new UA, and as Jeffy Jeff says, he's going to make some changes that he thinks we'll like...
Looks like there are a lot of people here who like this change
Now, this is even more incentive to use up the SWUs on one trip!
-jeremy
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:40 pm
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 62,525
Update to Lufthansa GPU Certificate Request Process
The reason isn't to track them the reason is to make them more difficult to redeem
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:42 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-WAW-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, AC*G, LH FTL, AI*G *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,751
This is a horrible change given the fact that the certificates remain printed on paper. Getting an upgrade on LH flights is far from certain and having to redeposit the GPU before being able to use it again practically renders them unusable in most cases. Think of families that have multiple members traveling at different times on LH flights (as in my case).
Aaron, I thing this is a terrible change; I'm curious if you guys included any SWU-users in the change discussions.
Since LH upgrades can't be confirmed in advance, its basically a guessing game if its going to work. Someone might have been flying BOS-FRA-DXB, they have only one SWU, if you tie it to the flight O/D and date, say, BOS-FRA, you don't get it, then FRA-DXB you can't roll the dice there.
Actually, there's a GREAT way you can make this work better. You can work with LH to have CONFIRMABLE e-upgrades. Those you can track easily, no mailing, no mess. Its better for us and its better for you.
Since LH upgrades can't be confirmed in advance, its basically a guessing game if its going to work. Someone might have been flying BOS-FRA-DXB, they have only one SWU, if you tie it to the flight O/D and date, say, BOS-FRA, you don't get it, then FRA-DXB you can't roll the dice there.
Actually, there's a GREAT way you can make this work better. You can work with LH to have CONFIRMABLE e-upgrades. Those you can track easily, no mailing, no mess. Its better for us and its better for you.
OR, to have them *waitlisted* electronically - but LH seat control/revenue management may push them by the wayside, as opposed to the relatively genuine LH CI agents / dragons, who can either call them in or upgrade you on the spot...
I am actively looking for alternatives to flying LH - finding some. I hope UA doesn't go further overboard, like this!
Feb 12, 2013 | 10:46 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 990
Terrible change. United, if you want to enable better tracking, then do away with the paper altogether. Switch to electronic upgrades and let us request upgrades online. Otherwise, let us please go back to the generic certs.
Some of us choose to have a stack of paper certs and use them as opportunities arise, and as far as I know this is a completely acceptable use.
Case in point, once I was rerouted on LH after my flight on UA went MX. I was able to upgrade on the spot. The new system makes it impossible.
If you want to kill this benefit, then say so.
Some of us choose to have a stack of paper certs and use them as opportunities arise, and as far as I know this is a completely acceptable use.
Case in point, once I was rerouted on LH after my flight on UA went MX. I was able to upgrade on the spot. The new system makes it impossible.
If you want to kill this benefit, then say so.