GPU from PHL to LHR
 

Hi all, I am pretty new to using GPU so could use some advice.

I would like to book a ticket from PHL to LHR on 14th Aug RT 19th Aug, and use a GPU to upgrade from the US to LHR (there is 1 stop off either in IAH or IAD from PHL).

On checking the website, i clicked "MILEAGEPLUS UPGRADE AWARD" on advanced search. All the flights came up but each one said upgrade not available.

Am I doing something wrong or is that confirmation that I cannot use a GPU for those flights?

I know folks here talk about checking R availability. Can someone quickly explain how best to do that?


I appreciate the assistance :)

few things:

1. you can also go from EWR from Philadelphia by starting your trip at Philadelphia 30th Street rail. Just type "ZFV" as your starting airport, and you will see the "ZFV-EWR" leg as a United flight operated by Amtrak. you receive miles for this, etc.

2. to use a GPU you need 2 things: to purchase a W fare or higher and to have R inventory available in the BusinessFirst Cabin. Currently there is plenty of R availability from EWR. as far as connections via IAH or IAD, on 8/14 there is availability on UA 112 FROM IAD, UA 918 FROM IAD. On the return on 8/19 there is plenty of R availability on flights to EWR; as far as connections there is availability on UA 959 to ORD, UA 984 to IAH, UA 920 to IAH, UA 949 to ORD, UA 925 to IAD, UA 5 to IAH.

3. If you have trouble doing this online, just call the premier line explaining that you would like to book a flight to london from Philadelphia using a GPU and they will help you do it properly.

One more note: A confirmed-at-booking GPU should always be taken over a waitlist if the route is slightly more annoying.

I suppose this is a point of personal opinion, but there is a very real chance that a waitlisted GPU won't clear, so flying PHL-EWR-LHR vs. PHL-LHR is a minor inconvenience for a world of difference on the TATL flight.

I made some mistakes early on with GPUs because I thought most waitlists would clear. Very much not the case. :) Of course this does depend on what routes you're taking but any routes to LHR are usually pretty booked up in BF.

Especially if you end up on the 752, which I often do.

Interesting points in this thread. I'm flying from AUS-LHR 8/28 with return on 9/3 and attempting to go through IAH. There is no R space available on anything leaving Houston that day. My plan was to fly on the Dreamliner. I bought a U fare so that I can make changes to the itinerary. The only outbound TATL flight with R space that day is via IAD, but here again, R=1 and there are two people in my itinerary. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the pointers everyone.

How does one check the R availability on a flight online?

Enable "Expert Mode" in your profile (under "View all Flight Search Preferences") then click on the "Fare Class" link for the flight of interest.

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Also make sure you are seaching just the non-stop segment you are interested in.

And read the long thread and cautionary note about the utilization of the "fare class" information.