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.