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 13, 2013 | 1:40 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
I completely agree with exbayern and the points he made. Being a former 1K living in Germany I will get my 2 remaining GPUs printed asap and that will be it. 4 flight on UA minimum rule can suck if you live outside the US, but it's bearable. However, this stupid rule having to send GPUs back and forth apparently if the upgrade gets denied or if your travel plans change is absolutely ridiculous. Are we still stuck in the 80s or 90s without the internet? Back to the stone age!!!
Gimme a break - another change I will like, yea, sure... as much as everybody likes root canal treatments. I am speechless.
Gimme a break - another change I will like, yea, sure... as much as everybody likes root canal treatments. I am speechless.
1. If the 4 flight minimum is an issue for you, then you might not be the most profitable customer and therefore your concerns may not be of greatest interest to UA. UA should be more interested in hearing from pax who fly mostly UA, not those who can barely manage to fly UA. No offense intended. Just being realistic.
2. This isn't the stone age, we're just sticking solidly in the 70's and 80's. If this were the stone age, then they'd force you to put the GPU on a boat and send it by ship then by horse drawn carriages. No, instead, you can go to your local FedEx office and pay $40 or more to send it back. That's definitely very 90's.
Feb 13, 2013 | 1:46 pm
#92
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between DM464 and DM463 on the NAPSA26 RNAV TRANS in EDDM
Programs: nothing
Posts: 1,731
While I agree with your general displeasure, a few points to make:
1. If the 4 flight minimum is an issue for you, then you might not be the most profitable customer and therefore your concerns may not be of greatest interest to UA. UA should be more interested in hearing from pax who fly mostly UA, not those who can barely manage to fly UA. No offense intended. Just being realistic.
2. This isn't the stone age, we're just sticking solidly in the 70's and 80's. If this were the stone age, then they'd force you to put the GPU on a boat and send it by ship then by horse drawn carriages. No, instead, you can go to your local FedEx office and pay $40 or more to send it back. That's definitely very 90's.
1. If the 4 flight minimum is an issue for you, then you might not be the most profitable customer and therefore your concerns may not be of greatest interest to UA. UA should be more interested in hearing from pax who fly mostly UA, not those who can barely manage to fly UA. No offense intended. Just being realistic.
2. This isn't the stone age, we're just sticking solidly in the 70's and 80's. If this were the stone age, then they'd force you to put the GPU on a boat and send it by ship then by horse drawn carriages. No, instead, you can go to your local FedEx office and pay $40 or more to send it back. That's definitely very 90's.
If something like where you live actually matters that UA and LH etc. should do it like NW and KL in the old days. I had a NW account and when I tried to change my address to a German one I got a message that my account will be transfered to KL. Fair deal. But being a UA elite (nowadays a lowly Gold) living in Germany might actually lead me to use UA for travel within the USA rather than US, for example. So I do question the rationale of the changes here.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:14 pm
#93
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA USA
Programs: UA 1K 2.85MM // AS MVPG100K // TK Elite Plus // AA EXP // Bonvoy TE // Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 356
Bad News
Bad news folks. I just called UA as did another 1K colleague of mine to request all of our remaining GPUs be printed for LH and sent out before the March 1 date that UA Insider proclaimed. Unfortunately the agent explained that they just received word yesterday that this is already implemented and we can no longer request GPUs for use on LH without providing this info. 
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:30 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold (1MM), AS MVP
Posts: 990
The heat keeps getting turned up in this pot, and I don't like it. Maybe I'm irked after experiencing 4x times in the last week this wonderful new boarding process 
, but there is just no end to the changes not-in-our-favor.
My real life example: fly LH r/t to Europe from Sao Paulo, where I am most likely stuck in an E- seat (I'm 6'3") if it doesn't clear, or fly AF and buy into their extra legroom. This is for travel over Christmas, so if my GPUs don't clear (assuming the folks at GRU even know how to do it), I get those GPUs redeposited by... what, 1/31/14? Or, assuming I have actually received my 2015 expiration GPUs in time, can I specifically request a long-expiration GPU?
Amen to the earlier suggestion of electronic, confirmable upgrades ^
, but there is just no end to the changes not-in-our-favor. My real life example: fly LH r/t to Europe from Sao Paulo, where I am most likely stuck in an E- seat (I'm 6'3") if it doesn't clear, or fly AF and buy into their extra legroom. This is for travel over Christmas, so if my GPUs don't clear (assuming the folks at GRU even know how to do it), I get those GPUs redeposited by... what, 1/31/14? Or, assuming I have actually received my 2015 expiration GPUs in time, can I specifically request a long-expiration GPU?
Amen to the earlier suggestion of electronic, confirmable upgrades ^
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:41 pm
#95
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
1. Always $50-$100 more expensive than other carriers on the same route.
2. Plenty of ERJs and CRJs out of DEN.
3. W class for SWU use.
But there were some things that were good that made one put up with it.
1. SWU is better than Delta.
2. Mileage Plus in redeeming Star Alliance awards are excellent
3. IROPS and service for 1Ks were extraordinary.
Since they are busy dismantling one by one all the pluses, it is going to be even more difficult to justify buying a ticket with them. Hence AA is better for now as
1. SWU clears well so does UDU at any fare class
2. IROPS and service for EXP is great
3. So far no problems in redeeming miles for Oneworld carriers (ignoring BA).
Yes, SWU does not clear on BA or on CX but I can live without that for the other positives.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:51 pm
#96
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Nice France
Programs: United MP Platinum+ / 1Million Miles+ and Flying Blue
Posts: 132
bummer, I used all mine last year on LH. Oh well, I did not do 1k this year, first time in 13 years.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:51 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 876
Bad news folks. I just called UA as did another 1K colleague of mine to request all of our remaining GPUs be printed for LH and sent out before the March 1 date that UA Insider proclaimed. Unfortunately the agent explained that they just received word yesterday that this is already implemented and we can no longer request GPUs for use on LH without providing this info.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:51 pm
#98
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 253
The most generous interpretation I can give to this change is that they want to stop trading on the secondary market (understandable), but they also did not want to invest any resources in improving their paper based upgrade certificate system.
Of course, that doesn't really explain the proviso about specifying one's flight information, nor the "honoring at LH's discretion" language. I don't see how manually processing itinerary information for each cert would do anything but increase costs to both the airline and us. Which makes me think that this portends a gradual phase out of the LH upgrade benefit.
Of course, that doesn't really explain the proviso about specifying one's flight information, nor the "honoring at LH's discretion" language. I don't see how manually processing itinerary information for each cert would do anything but increase costs to both the airline and us. Which makes me think that this portends a gradual phase out of the LH upgrade benefit.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:55 pm
#99
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
The most generous interpretation I can give to this change is that they want to stop trading on the secondary market (understandable), but they also did not want to invest any resources in improving their paper based upgrade certificate system.
Of course, that doesn't really explain the proviso about specifying one's flight information, nor the "honoring at LH's discretion" language. I don't see how manually processing itinerary information for each cert would do anything but increase costs to both the airline and us. Which makes me think that this portends a gradual phase out of the LH upgrade benefit.
Of course, that doesn't really explain the proviso about specifying one's flight information, nor the "honoring at LH's discretion" language. I don't see how manually processing itinerary information for each cert would do anything but increase costs to both the airline and us. Which makes me think that this portends a gradual phase out of the LH upgrade benefit.
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:58 pm
#101
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA USA
Programs: UA 1K 2.85MM // AS MVPG100K // TK Elite Plus // AA EXP // Bonvoy TE // Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 356
Since they are busy dismantling one by one all the pluses, it is going to be even more difficult to justify buying a ticket with them. Hence AA is better for now as
1. SWU clears well so does UDU at any fare class
2. IROPS and service for EXP is great
3. So far no problems in redeeming miles for Oneworld carriers (ignoring BA).
Yes, SWU does not clear on BA or on CX but I can live without that for the other positives.
1. SWU clears well so does UDU at any fare class
2. IROPS and service for EXP is great
3. So far no problems in redeeming miles for Oneworld carriers (ignoring BA).
Yes, SWU does not clear on BA or on CX but I can live without that for the other positives.
I haven't given BA a try yet, but did manage to book an F award on BA from Russia to the USA without any problems using AA miles. It was cheap and easy to do and also faced no change penalties as an EXP just as I do on MP as a 1K. So, I'm not seeing any disadvantages of swapping to AA EXP at this time and I'm actually quite happy with them thus far. EVERY AA agent I've interacted with on the phone or at the airport has been efficient (no one-hour ticketing phone calls mostly on hold as is now the norm with UA) and very polite.
As you said, UA is slowly dismantling the value of MP and I'm not seeing much value anymore in giving them my premium travel dollar. By the end of Feb I'll already be at 50K EQM mostly entirely because of TK and where TK flies that I can't get to on any other carriers. If not for that UA and I would barely speak...which I guess is the way they want it these days anyway. Sad...
Last edited by MaximusDamon; Feb 13, 2013 at 2:59 pm Reason: typo
Feb 13, 2013 | 2:59 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Every time I have asked for a paper certificate, they have asked me for all the flight details, record locator number and such. So nothing has changed there. The printing it on the certificate is what has changed. It is not about the secondary market, it is about revenue leakage from UA to LH.
So, for me, the requirement to book a flight as a precondition for getting the paper, is also not new.
However, what seems to be new is the linking of the paper to the specific segment. This was never done before. The PNR allowed the request to be granted, but then, the paper could be used anywhere, anytime. Now, if you can't clear on the intended segment, they are worthless until recycled.
Feb 13, 2013 | 4:22 pm
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
There were some things with United that made it a tough to justify buying ticket on -
1. Always $50-$100 more expensive than other carriers on the same route.
2. Plenty of ERJs and CRJs out of DEN.
3. W class for SWU use.
But there were some things that were good that made one put up with it.
1. SWU is better than Delta.
2. Mileage Plus in redeeming Star Alliance awards are excellent
3. IROPS and service for 1Ks were extraordinary.
Since they are busy dismantling one by one all the pluses, it is going to be even more difficult to justify buying a ticket with them. Hence AA is better for now as
1. SWU clears well so does UDU at any fare class
2. IROPS and service for EXP is great
3. So far no problems in redeeming miles for Oneworld carriers (ignoring BA).
Yes, SWU does not clear on BA or on CX but I can live without that for the other positives.
1. Always $50-$100 more expensive than other carriers on the same route.
2. Plenty of ERJs and CRJs out of DEN.
3. W class for SWU use.
But there were some things that were good that made one put up with it.
1. SWU is better than Delta.
2. Mileage Plus in redeeming Star Alliance awards are excellent
3. IROPS and service for 1Ks were extraordinary.
Since they are busy dismantling one by one all the pluses, it is going to be even more difficult to justify buying a ticket with them. Hence AA is better for now as
1. SWU clears well so does UDU at any fare class
2. IROPS and service for EXP is great
3. So far no problems in redeeming miles for Oneworld carriers (ignoring BA).
Yes, SWU does not clear on BA or on CX but I can live without that for the other positives.
(Even better than AA despite a better product for that reason!)
Feb 13, 2013 | 4:44 pm
#104
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO, LAX
Programs: UA 1K, SPG G, #1 CG 5☆
Posts: 234
Back when Scott O'Leary was CO Insider, he would have a dialog with the board. People would write, and he'd respond, Co/UA would consider the changes and often, issues got fixed. That was a big win for both, sometimes (often) the suits don't understand customer impact of policies and changes. This pattern of driveby announcements just sucks. I see a post or so every week or two from UA Insider. That's not a dialog.
If UA wanted to find out how people used their SWUs on LH, they could. This is about making a difficult to use benefit even more difficult. And at the end of the day, I don't really care if its LH or UA that wanted a change, its UA's responsibility to give their customers the best experience reasonably possible. Both LH and UA support the *A upgrade program, so there is some inter-airline upgrade and settlement process. They could easily expand that program bilaterally between UA and LH to support confirmable SWU usage.
If UA wanted to find out how people used their SWUs on LH, they could. This is about making a difficult to use benefit even more difficult. And at the end of the day, I don't really care if its LH or UA that wanted a change, its UA's responsibility to give their customers the best experience reasonably possible. Both LH and UA support the *A upgrade program, so there is some inter-airline upgrade and settlement process. They could easily expand that program bilaterally between UA and LH to support confirmable SWU usage.
IMO it would be good for your department to consider engaging in a dialogue since customer communication is a two way street for any industry leader. Engaging in a dialogue would be a sign of courage. I have not seen a dialogue from your department lately, it would be considerate and a sign of respect to all of us who want United to succeed.
Feb 13, 2013 | 4:54 pm
#105
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, BA Silver, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,966
Note, I was NOT asked for PNR when requesting these certs in January 2013.
No problem IN THEORY with supplying the info. The problem comes when you don't get the upgrade and have to ship the paper cert back to UA, presumably as certified mail. What a time hassle and expense. If you had a backup flight in mind for the succeeding few days, it just can't be done.
Are they trying to eliminate these certs entirely?