Feb 12, 2019, 1:21 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is the archive thread, the active thread is Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic (How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,...)
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
LH booking class P, Z upgreadable for miles and eVouchers
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P ,Z-class LH flights with a GPU. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Checking for availability prior to calling
Use ANA or even united.com to see availability.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
For C->F upgrade, J, D, C fares are eligible, Z and P fares are not. ... Just check the tables here: https://www.miles-and-more.com/onlin...l=en&cid=18002
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Both longhaul LH segments cleared into I after being on waitlist . The first didnt get stickered, so the DCS ( amadeus altea ) rejected online and agent checkin . The eticket helpdesk had to manually update the first coupon for the DCS to accept the coupon. My seat in C was safe, since the PNR was updated correctly, just the ticket was not updated completely to the satisfaction of the DCS. Everyone looking at the booking agreed the upgrade was legit, so you will not be denied boarding or downgraded, just budget enough time
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The LH GA must have called the eticket helpdesk and pointed out the * SSR remark in your reservation that shows an upgrade was applied and the e-ticket just needed a fix/sticker. See my experience above.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Jan 14, 2019, 5:55 pm
#1726
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: mileagePlua
Posts: 3
Chance of upgrade clearing LH from LAX to Munich?
GS member, booked round trip nonstop LH flight LAX to Munich first week of Feb 2019 in Q class, called UA and got switched to LH flight numbers and applied GPUs to both legs.
My retuen leg MUC-LAX immediately cleared but waitlisted for LAX-MUC. I checked on LH website and there are 20
open Business class seats in the LH flight from LAX with just a couple weeks til the flight occurs.
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
My retuen leg MUC-LAX immediately cleared but waitlisted for LAX-MUC. I checked on LH website and there are 20
open Business class seats in the LH flight from LAX with just a couple weeks til the flight occurs.
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
Jan 14, 2019, 7:57 pm
#1727
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
GS member, booked round trip nonstop LH flight LAX to Munich first week of Feb 2019 in Q class, called UA and got switched to LH flight numbers and applied GPUs to both legs.
My retuen leg MUC-LAX immediately cleared but waitlisted for LAX-MUC. I checked on LH website and there are 20
open Business class seats in the LH flight from LAX with just a couple weeks til the flight occurs.
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
My retuen leg MUC-LAX immediately cleared but waitlisted for LAX-MUC. I checked on LH website and there are 20
open Business class seats in the LH flight from LAX with just a couple weeks til the flight occurs.
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
Jan 15, 2019, 1:40 am
#1728
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,160
GS member, booked round trip nonstop LH flight LAX to Munich first week of Feb 2019 in Q class, called UA and got switched to LH flight numbers and applied GPUs to both legs.
[...]
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
[...]
From past experience, I what are the odds that I’ll clear the upgrade off the wait list? Just curious
Jan 15, 2019, 8:23 pm
#1729
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
016 is UA stock so no, you can't have LH issue 016 tickets if that is your question.
If you want a 016 ticket and have only LH flight numbers when first issuing the ticket ... that's difficult or rather expensive to do ... not sure why you would want to do this. Without a single UA flight number you are not using UA fares and depending on LH fares and plating restrictions and so on ... your price may be quite a bit higher ...
If you want a 016 ticket and have only LH flight numbers when first issuing the ticket ... that's difficult or rather expensive to do ... not sure why you would want to do this. Without a single UA flight number you are not using UA fares and depending on LH fares and plating restrictions and so on ... your price may be quite a bit higher ...
Jan 15, 2019, 8:39 pm
#1730
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tel Aviv (TLV), Chicago (ORD)
Programs: United Premier 1K, Starwood/Marriott Gold
Posts: 248
If you reach an experienced UA representative, he or she can plate LH flights onto 016 UA ticket stock. This is much easier than having to call and covert a ua.com booking of all codeshares and then convert them to LH flights. Since it has to be Q fare and higher to apply a GPU, the ticket prices are no more expensive or different than a 016 United ticket. Lufthansa and United have one of the closest partnerships among the Star carriers.
How to LH flights with GPUs credit? Just as a UA flight that is upgraded will post with Zx on it (like if I booked into W class it will post as ZW), how do LH flights post? Just curious.
Jan 15, 2019, 8:53 pm
#1731
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
Jan 15, 2019, 9:39 pm
#1732
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1k; HH, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26
Chance for GPU upgrade from a Q fare? What fare am I looking for to have availability? J, D, C only or P, Z also? I feel like this is the most basic question and perhaps am overthinking it.
Departing flight:
J5 C5 D4 Z0 P0 G5 E3 N1 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Returning flight:
J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 G9 E5 N2 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Departing flight:
J5 C5 D4 Z0 P0 G5 E3 N1 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Returning flight:
J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 G9 E5 N2 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Jan 15, 2019, 9:57 pm
#1733
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
LH doesn't publish upgrade inventory, though if I is available (business award), your upgrade will likely clear. You have to be booked under native LH flight number.
Jan 16, 2019, 9:52 am
#1734
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
Chance for GPU upgrade from a Q fare? What fare am I looking for to have availability? J, D, C only or P, Z also? I feel like this is the most basic question and perhaps am overthinking it.
Departing flight:
J5 C5 D4 Z0 P0 G5 E3 N1 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Returning flight:
J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 G9 E5 N2 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Departing flight:
J5 C5 D4 Z0 P0 G5 E3 N1 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Returning flight:
J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 G9 E5 N2 Y9 B9 M9 U9
H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
Jan 16, 2019, 10:42 pm
#1735
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1k; HH, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26
Thank you both. I changed the outbound (DEN-ORD-MUC v DEN-MUC) and the GPU cleared right away. Return is waitlisted on MUC-DEN. Expertflyer shows no I seats, but it's next month and lots of open business class so I'm thinking I'm good. Am I overly optimistic?
Jan 17, 2019, 12:52 am
#1736
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K MM,Marriott platinum,ihg spire
Posts: 146
P to F upgrade
My upgrade to F from P fare just cleared for my flight FRA - SIN on 23/1.
Jan 17, 2019, 1:03 am
#1737
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
Jan 17, 2019, 1:42 am
#1738
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K MM,Marriott platinum,ihg spire
Posts: 146
flight was booked 6 months ago, when it was still possible to request these upgrades.
Jan 17, 2019, 1:46 am
#1739
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
Jan 17, 2019, 3:09 pm
#1740
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K; BR Gold
Posts: 85
OK... maybe I'm not saying the correct thing to the 1K line.
I just purchased a round trip ticket from DEN > MUC. Fare class is "A" both ways. This is ticketed as a United codeshare, booked via united.com I am trying to use a GPU. Since this was a codeshare, I have called the 1K line to request that they switch to an LH flight number so that I can apply for the GPU upgrade.
I was told that "I'm already in Business", but this is not the case when I double check on LH.com with their confirmation number. I hung up and called again, and was told the same thing by the next agent. I'd love to believe that I've been 'op-uped' - but it seems unlikely with the reservation not until 2 weeks from now.
Am I requesting the wrong thing here?
I just purchased a round trip ticket from DEN > MUC. Fare class is "A" both ways. This is ticketed as a United codeshare, booked via united.com I am trying to use a GPU. Since this was a codeshare, I have called the 1K line to request that they switch to an LH flight number so that I can apply for the GPU upgrade.
I was told that "I'm already in Business", but this is not the case when I double check on LH.com with their confirmation number. I hung up and called again, and was told the same thing by the next agent. I'd love to believe that I've been 'op-uped' - but it seems unlikely with the reservation not until 2 weeks from now.
Am I requesting the wrong thing here?