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
Dec 3, 2014, 7:29 pm
#616
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
i was going to try a GPU on BLR-FRA-LAX on all LH metal, but i wasn't enough of a gambler given that MUC-IAH had R9 when i booked it. ended up also clearing easily on LH flight BOM-MUC with a largely empty new J cabin, happy day.
Dec 3, 2014, 7:38 pm
#617
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AU (ex 10+ year 1k) 1.5MM, AS Newbie, HH ex Dia
Posts: 337
(I thought I remembered the airport being KDIA during the period when baggage structural integrity was being tested, back before Stapleton closed and passed off the KDEN code, but I can't find evidence of that in the Google machine.)
Getting back on topic... now that there are reports of Jan 2015 GPUs being extended, in the past has anyone managed to get extended GPUs printed for LH?
Last edited by MrOCTeckels; Dec 3, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Dec 4, 2014, 2:41 am
#618
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: best coast
Programs: bonvoy lifetime titanium, not much else anymore
Posts: 58
Dec 5, 2014, 5:17 am
#619
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,528
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
Warning: the electronic system is now in effect "for select flights and United knows which flights these are." I just showed up at the gate with a paper certificate and was denied because "the new electronic system does not allow upgrades with these paper certificates." Escalated to a supervisor, who denied it as well. Ugh. Screaming babies here I come.
Dec 5, 2014, 5:40 am
#620
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Interesting. Can you disclose the date and flight number? It must be a flight that was moved to the new Altea based DCS, which LH call the CITP.
Dec 5, 2014, 6:15 am
#621
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott Tit
Posts: 18,233
What is "the electronic system"?
Dec 5, 2014, 7:29 am
#622
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
There was an announcement that LH would now allow UA GPU's to be applied online as compared to paper ones earlier. Details are sketchy and it was to be implemented back in August/ September. But looks like it is live now on some flights. I believe Wiki has some info on it.
Dec 5, 2014, 9:22 am
#623
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AU (ex 10+ year 1k) 1.5MM, AS Newbie, HH ex Dia
Posts: 337
I don't see anything in the wiki, but the relevant thread is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lufthansa.html
Dec 5, 2014, 9:46 am
#624
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
I don't see anything in the wiki, but the relevant thread is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lufthansa.html
But UA's documentation has not yet changed. I am pretty sure that this is a non-starter.
Dec 5, 2014, 1:27 pm
#625
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
I just called the MP service desk and requested a paper cert for a LH flight in early Jan 15. Agent was very helpful and said the electonic GPU with LH was not happening anytime soon.
Dec 5, 2014, 2:39 pm
#626
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,528
Agent at FRA today told me 40% of flights have been migrated to the new system, and for those flights paper SWUs will not be accepted. Period.
This appears to mean we can't upgrade 40% of Lufthansa flights for now...
I was on FRA-BEY today...10 rows of business nearly empty, and I was packed in coach with the screaming babies...of which there were at least 20. Ugh.
They told me it was 40% of flights, but there was a guy with a badge saying "IT Support" assisting the gate agents, so I'm hopeful I just got super unlucky on this flight.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 5, 2014 at 9:20 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Dec 5, 2014, 6:19 pm
#627
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LAX / TPE / NYC
Programs: UA Gold/*G, Marriott/SPG Gold Elite
Posts: 164
I have a V-fare booked for July 2015, PRG-FRA-LAX (LH1395/450) on 016 ticket stock. I called the MileagePlus Service Desk and they told me everything is transitioning to electronic system and said it would be better that I wait until June to check online. My questions are:
1. let's assume my flight is the 40% that already migrated to the new system, I booked it before it was migrated so does my itinerary automatically migrate to the new system enabling me to use electronic certificate? How can I check on that?
2. If it automatically migrates to the new system, do I still go on United.com > Manage Reservations > View, then Upgrade Reservation? Or is there a special website I have to go to? Currently, it is still saying "online upgrade not available".
3. LH is adding Premium Economy to long-haul flights and from what I know, is said to complete by mid-summer 2015. If I apply my GPU then, is it going to be Economy -> Premium Economy? Or is it still going to be Economy -> Business? I suspect GPU only allows one-up, eh?
I'm sure that nobody can answer my questions right now with complete certainty but hopefully UA and LH will clarify applying GPU on LH flights very soon.
1. let's assume my flight is the 40% that already migrated to the new system, I booked it before it was migrated so does my itinerary automatically migrate to the new system enabling me to use electronic certificate? How can I check on that?
2. If it automatically migrates to the new system, do I still go on United.com > Manage Reservations > View, then Upgrade Reservation? Or is there a special website I have to go to? Currently, it is still saying "online upgrade not available".
3. LH is adding Premium Economy to long-haul flights and from what I know, is said to complete by mid-summer 2015. If I apply my GPU then, is it going to be Economy -> Premium Economy? Or is it still going to be Economy -> Business? I suspect GPU only allows one-up, eh?
I'm sure that nobody can answer my questions right now with complete certainty but hopefully UA and LH will clarify applying GPU on LH flights very soon.
Last edited by foppishbum; Dec 5, 2014 at 6:31 pm Reason: Added question.
Dec 5, 2014, 8:38 pm
#628
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AU (ex 10+ year 1k) 1.5MM, AS Newbie, HH ex Dia
Posts: 337
foppishbum, there are two "electronic systems" being discussed.
It sounds like ironmanjt is talking about the new software at the gates currently being deployed by LH. It sounds like they're rolling that out fully in FRA/MUC first, which doesn't bode well for using a paper GPU departing from Germany.
MP was telling you about a new electronic redemption process for GPUs (see the links a few posts up), which may come on line this spring.
If the new departure management system really does require electronic GPUs, I think I'm going to start being pessimistic about my chances of a C->F GPU in March.
It sounds like ironmanjt is talking about the new software at the gates currently being deployed by LH. It sounds like they're rolling that out fully in FRA/MUC first, which doesn't bode well for using a paper GPU departing from Germany.
MP was telling you about a new electronic redemption process for GPUs (see the links a few posts up), which may come on line this spring.
If the new departure management system really does require electronic GPUs, I think I'm going to start being pessimistic about my chances of a C->F GPU in March.
Dec 5, 2014, 8:51 pm
#629
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,039
I guess I will avoid flying LH for a while.
Dec 6, 2014, 10:47 am
#630
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: a proud member of FT since 05-05-1998
Programs: DL, AF and KL - UA - *G
Posts: 2,239
I assume they were just to stupid to process the paper cert under the new system that is why they gave you all the BS about it - there is no new system when it comes to the paper GPU system - but incapable LH agents making up stories as they go to make you go away.....