"Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays"
#1801
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 403
For SFO-EWR, with some flexibility, this never used to be a problem. For the past two years, it always is a problem -- no upgrades are available at booking time even months ahead. For me, it's a joke. As a result, I've found myself flying Jet Blue and Delta more on this route with the additional advantage that I can go to JFK instead of EWR
#1802
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA 1K 2MM; Marriott Gold; IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,720
I’ve been seeing the standard $299 TOD upgrade available showing up months in advance of TCON flights now. Seems to be linked to P inventory. Just did a W—>P $299 upgrade for an SFO-EWR flight in late May. It’s not clear whether lower fare classes are also upgradable, but given inventory is almost always P>PN>R good luck using RPUs on future PS flights.
#1803
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, DL, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 7,946
W fares are $309 to $354, plus Q schedules, on SFO/EWR. But the sellup is fixed-fee so yes, with a carefully plotted G fare you could pay more like $430. However, it comes at the cost of being a technically non-refundable fee which is not part of the coupon value (forfeit in the case of any voluntary change), earns zero PQD and no additional RDM, and sometimes also earns no additional PQM. For the same amount of planning, I would argue the $659 P fare is the better deal at least 75% of the time.
#1804
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 403
The issue is not the cost, it’s that many corporate travelers will get booked in the Y cabin and then can buy up to J on their own. Technically this has been possible forever with GG BUYUP if you get the right agent, but most travelers probably were unaware of it. Now it’s sold front and center in the app so I expect more upgrades to sell, more to happen spontaneously, and even fewer seats to go to RPUs especially before the gate.
#1805
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA GS, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,485
Closer to departure date? I have had all of the few that have cleared in the last year at T24hrs or less. A few have even cleared after I boarded! As far as getting them to clear on PS flights, that is getting as rare as hen's teeth now.
#1806
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
#1807

Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: MCO
Programs: UA GS 0.9MM *G UC | Marriott LT Ti | Hilton Diamond | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre✓
Posts: 2,479
I do seem to have a higher success rate with GPUs.
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
#1808
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AS MVPG; Marriott Plat Premier; Hilton Diamond (Aspire); Hyatt Refugeeist
Posts: 37,490
I suspect Ausienarelle was referring to domestic instrument upgrades being much tougher than upgrades on GPU only routes. A sentiment I share. This thread was originally entitled "RPUs are Useless Nowadays" and I think that's more accurate.
#1809
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA GS, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,485
I typically fly more domestics routes now so yeah probably my RPUs on average less than GPU's on the international flights. But having said that I have not cleared a GPU in almost 2 years now. If there is no R space at booking I can't/won't risk having them not clear and be stuck in E+. I have had it happen several times now and these old bones can't take a TATL or a TPAC and then have to work as soon as I hit the ground.
#1810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AS MVPG; Marriott Plat Premier; Hilton Diamond (Aspire); Hyatt Refugeeist
Posts: 37,490
I typically fly more domestics routes now so yeah probably my RPUs on average less than GPU's on the international flights. But having said that I have not cleared a GPU in almost 2 years now. If there is no R space at booking I can't/won't risk having them not clear and be stuck in E+. I have had it happen several times now and these old bones can't take a TATL or a TPAC and then have to work as soon as I hit the ground.
#1811
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 842
GG Fareup to move up on waitlist?
will I improve my chances (move up on the waitlist rank) if I fareup inside the 24 hour window?
#1812
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,605
edit: actually to respond literally to your question, yes.
#1813
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, DL, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 7,946
Honestly, I don't know. If the ticket is reissued, it will probably drop the upgrade request entirely, and if it isn't I'm skeptical it will update the code on the PNR. I definitely wouldn't risk it without solid confirmation.
#1814
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Gold 1.8MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Gold
Posts: 44,597
And as mentioned, up-faring may drop the waitlist and then the agent would have to potentially waive another rule on applying an upgrade inside of T-24.
#1815
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,605
There's no universal rule. The second tiebreaker for upgrade waitlist is fare, after status. If you have 1K status it might be worthwhile if the flight load is tight but not too tight (intentionally vague). If there aren't many seats left or there are many seats left, it could be a waste of money.
edit: actually to respond literally to your question, yes.
edit: actually to respond literally to your question, yes.
Strictly speaking, GG BUYUP only waives the change fee if changing a cabin. However, there have been numerous reports of people being successful up- faring to GPU eligible fare. Whether you would get a change fee waiver this situation is a potential issue.
And as mentioned, up-faring may drop the waitlist and then the agent would have to potentially waive another rule on applying an upgrade inside of T-24.
And as mentioned, up-faring may drop the waitlist and then the agent would have to potentially waive another rule on applying an upgrade inside of T-24.
Agree that it is a strange corner case and probably not wise to attempt. I would give very high odds to the upgrade request being dropped, as setting change fee questions aside, the normal buyup procedure results in reissue.