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GPUs on Multiple Flights [Getting the most out of a GPU]

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GPUs on Multiple Flights [Getting the most out of a GPU]

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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 6:46 am
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GPUs on Multiple Flights [Getting the most out of a GPU]

Can s/o direct me to the current rules for GPUs on consecutive flights? I have reviewed the Upgrades sections on the UA site and searched FT to no avail.

My understanding from the old SWU days was that combinations of 2 or more UA flights qualified if:

1. The layover between flights is less than 12 hours.
2. There is no return to the starting airport or to any previously passed transit airport.

Specifically, I would like to see if the following itin would qualify for use of a single GPU:

EWR-HNL-ORD-MUC

No layovers greater than 9 hours for this reservation. Any hope?
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 6:47 am
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Originally Posted by northpole999
Can s/o direct me to the current rules for GPUs on consecutive flights? I have reviewed the Upgrades sections on the UA site and searched FT to no avail.

My understanding from the old SWU days was that combinations of 2 or more UA flights qualified if:

1. The layover between flights is less than 12 hours.
2. There is no return to the starting airport or to any previously passed transit airport.

Specifically, I would like to see if the following itin would qualify for use of a single GPU:

EWR-HNL-ORD-MUC

No layovers greater than 9 hours for this reservation. Any hope?
I dn't see why that itinerary wouldn't qualify. I've used a single instrument LHR-SFO-SYD.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 6:48 am
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If you book it as a multi-city reservation, then all of it would be considered one flight with US connecting stops and destination MUC. That is my understanding. I had once used a single RPU for IAD-LAX-SFO-DCA. Assuming the same rules apply.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 6:55 am
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Originally Posted by IADFlyer123
If you book it as a multi-city reservation, then all of it would be considered one flight with US connecting stops and destination MUC. That is my understanding.
That's the key t it -- a single itinerary.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 7:19 am
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Originally Posted by IADFlyer123
If you book it as a multi-city reservation, then all of it would be considered one flight with US connecting stops and destination MUC. That is my understanding. I had once used a single RPU for IAD-LAX-SFO-DCA. Assuming the same rules apply.
It is indeed one res. One PNR, one ticket - all on 016 stock and bought on the SharesBomb.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 8:23 am
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I would assume your itinerary would qualify for one GPU based upon my recent reservation.

EWR-HKG-SIN-NRT-ORD = 1 GPU!

All of the legs had R inventory except for SIN-NRT which was waitlisted. Unfortunately, I had to cancel due to a conflict with a work-related trip. I plan to try again later this year!
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 8:27 am
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At one point (years ago) there was a rule that the fare basis could not be broken. (In other words, can't be W on one leg and V on another). Don't know if it was ever enforced.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 9:32 am
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So I went ahead and got it. The SharesBomb wanted me to use 2 upgrades, but I called-in and they did it for me no problem. Thanks to all !
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 11:02 am
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I did one RPU, NAS-EWR-LAX-JFK-SFO once
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 11:17 am
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Originally Posted by northpole999
So I went ahead and got it. The SharesBomb wanted me to use 2 upgrades, but I called-in and they did it for me no problem. Thanks to all !
Was everything booked on a W or were the domestic segments on a lower fare class?

I'm looking at booking a ORD-HKG layover HKG-ORD-CUN layover CUN-ORD.

I'll of course book ORD-HKG and HKG-ORD in W to use a GPU, but don't want to book the ORD-CUN segment in W since it isn't needed for the GPU, and there are lower fare classes available. The HKG-ORD-CUN flights will all be on the same day so I have no doubt the GPU will work all the way, but unsure if I really need to book a W fare class for the ORD-CUN segment.

I've booked other int'l itineraries with domestic segments on higher fare classes (int'l on W, domestic on H) with no problems using a GPU but never the other way around.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 11:40 am
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Originally Posted by northpole999
So I went ahead and got it. The SharesBomb wanted me to use 2 upgrades, but I called-in and they did it for me no problem. Thanks to all !
I think you got lucky on this one. Agent gave you a favor. I am pretty sure there is a 4 hour connection rule on the international segments to keep the one GPU active. Calling WineCountryUA.

Edited to Add:

Didn't look carefully at your itinerary. I believe that 12 hours is OK for the domestic connections. If you had another international flight at the end of this itinerary (for example MUC -EWR) the connection time limit would be 4 hours on that segment to keep the GPU alive.

Last edited by LAXOGG; Jun 18, 2014 at 12:14 pm
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 12:41 pm
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Originally Posted by northpole999
Specifically, I would like to see if the following itin would qualify for use of a single GPU:

EWR-HNL-ORD-MUC
Do you get your GPU back if EWR-HNL-ORD clear, but ORD-MUC doesn't? Might be ambivalent about R space on that last flight...
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 1:21 pm
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A while back a buddy and I did a MR using 1 GPU each following the aforementioned rules on BQN-EWR-IAH-SFO-HKG-SIN-NRT-LAX-IAD-SJU. Was pleasantly surprised when .bomb only asked for one.
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