Feb 25, 2017, 10:01 am
GPU Failure Report
Dec 24, 2018, 8:43 am
#76
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
-James
Dec 24, 2018, 9:04 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
I made a booking as "New Traveler" from my United profile leaving MP number blank on IAD-SFO route; but United was smart enough to populate my FF number. If you make a booking without logging into your account, does it pick MP number from your email/phone? I'm considering trying that (to get better offers) on competitive routes where I know I don't stand a chance for GPU/RPU/CPU and adding FF number later to get miles.
Dec 24, 2018, 9:16 am
#78
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,599
No.
Dec 24, 2018, 12:07 pm
#79
Suspended
Join Date: May 2018
Location: ord
Programs: UA 1k SPG Platinum
Posts: 365
1) SFO-TPE
2) 12/5
3) W
4) Y>J
5) Purchased 11/19
6) Failed PZ was opened a few days before I booked the ticket, then disappeared. The day of departure, I was #5 on the list. the UA app bounced between showing the flight was booked 58/60 to 60/60 several times up to the day of departure. When we landed in TPE, the list showed the agents cleared #1 and #6, thus skipping myself and # 2-4. A bit pissed, given the premium I paid, so I assume either there was SHENA or the agent was too lazy to come aboard and upgrade the next on the list...
2) 12/5
3) W
4) Y>J
5) Purchased 11/19
6) Failed PZ was opened a few days before I booked the ticket, then disappeared. The day of departure, I was #5 on the list. the UA app bounced between showing the flight was booked 58/60 to 60/60 several times up to the day of departure. When we landed in TPE, the list showed the agents cleared #1 and #6, thus skipping myself and # 2-4. A bit pissed, given the premium I paid, so I assume either there was SHENA or the agent was too lazy to come aboard and upgrade the next on the list...
Dec 24, 2018, 2:36 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,557
I'd bet a good number of people purchased discounted P fares from YYZ to TPE and return for around $2k. Instant confirmation and no need to mess with the alphabet soup.
Dec 24, 2018, 3:02 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
-James
Dec 24, 2018, 5:20 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,557
I am providing a causation for the lack of upgrades on a supposed easy route. PQDs between YYZ and SFO were only $263 one-way, and $750 for one-way TPAC.
Dec 26, 2018, 3:44 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 755
I would've jumped at that offer and I typically stick to buying the lowest k fares possible. (Potentially) 8,590 more miles due to an up fare to P and 17 and a half hours in Polaris J. That's also the amount of a copay for UA's miles+smiles upgrade. Even if I had a GPU I would've leapt on it. Much better to have Polaris seat in hand than a set of GPUs on the battlefield.
-James
-James
I was also given the $700 offer to upgrade (side note, a different screen within the app presented me with a $2,700 offer, dont know why there was a difference) and the UA club agent confirmed I could upgrade for $700, but they wouldnt take the certificate as payment. I thought about taking it, but Im paying on my own dime with Canadian pesos. Ive lived through many hours of economy discomfort so this wasnt such a big deal. Also would rather spend that cash (and the redeposited GPU for that matter) on another vacation, or mileage run to retain 1k for another 6 upgrades next year, since it will be a slower travel year for me. Also didnt need anymore PQMs for 2018 so that was not a factor.
How do I know it was sold for $700? When I got to IAH an aisle seat opened up so I took it. When I got on the plane the guy sitting in the opposite aisle said hi. We were chatting and it turns out his wife bought it for $700. I didnt ask his status but he said he finished 4th on the list (I was 13th), so either he was a 1k in a very high fare class, or a GS.
My own opinion: discounted offers for 1k/GS would be an acceptable balance between UA being able to monetize the cabin, and at the same time not selling out elites.
Dec 26, 2018, 1:07 pm
#88
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Disagree with you on what to do if that shoe were to ever drop. There are certainly other lucrative programs if you're interested in staying loyal to * (A3 and OZ come to mind, the former lets you renew Gold for as little as 24,000 miles whereas the latter will give you lifetime Gold once you fly 500,000 across all * partners, and let you renew your Gold (for up to 4 years) after hitting 30,000 miles!). Then there are non-* programs like AAdvatnage which allow you to skip the EQD requirement by flying a cheap J fare out of CAI, but that's a story for another day
Safe Travels,
James
Jan 7, 2019, 12:04 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,556
HKG-SFO on 1/7/19
Booked and applied GPU back in April
Q fare
Didn't clear, and there were at least 5 people ahead of me who didn't clear either. First trans-oceanic flight in coach in 2 years, gosh I'm spoiled.
Booked and applied GPU back in April
Q fare
Didn't clear, and there were at least 5 people ahead of me who didn't clear either. First trans-oceanic flight in coach in 2 years, gosh I'm spoiled.
Last edited by FlytheTail; Jan 7, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Jan 7, 2019, 12:17 pm
#90
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477