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}
#1771
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
I have asked 1K res about 5 different times in the past few weeks and each time they told me to look for A inventory. Is there a chance 5 different agents are misinformed? Sure. I have not booked a D fare and upgraded into A yet.
#1772
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 320
Do waitlist usually clear before they allow other partners to access first class awards?
#1773
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
Now what could the reason for the confusion is that United abandoned the use of A and O for first because those fare buckets are now used for their premium economy cabin. This has led to some confusion since O and A now show up on UA codeshares op by LH because they map to G&E.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 21, 2019 at 5:44 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
#1774
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,902
#1775
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
The Lufthansa F awards & upgrades book into O. A is the booking class for discounted revenue F.
Now what could the reason for the confusion is that United abandoned the use of A and O for first because those fare buckets are now used for their premium economy cabin. This has led to some confusion since O and A now show up on UA codeshares op by LH because they map to G&E.
Now what could the reason for the confusion is that United abandoned the use of A and O for first because those fare buckets are now used for their premium economy cabin. This has led to some confusion since O and A now show up on UA codeshares op by LH because they map to G&E.
My pure guess here might be that from the United side, the lowest eligible business to first booking code is D. I believe Miles and More can book as low as P papa class to upgrade to First, right? Well it seems quite clear as of now if us United'ers buy D class on LH we can upgrade with a GPU into A class.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 21, 2019 at 5:45 pm Reason: quote update to reflect Moderator edit; Removed response to deleted content
#1776
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
If A class is the new O then it will bring more transparency into the system as everyone can see if A is available. Currently LX has this A system to use for upgrades and awards which are only open to SEN/HON. On OS the O class is used for deeply discounted economy fares. As far as LH is concerned O/I/R/X are the F/C/E/Y award and upgrade inventory buckets. M&M allows you to upgrade P&Z into O which is the same for J/C/D.
#1777
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,839
Nein, nicht BS. I just talked to a sixth agent and she went so far as to pull up a specific ORD-FRA flight and requested a J-F upgrade with a GPU and her system said it would book into A class. I said this appears to be a change from the past, and to continue verification, I asked about coach to business. That still books into I - India class same as free/award ticket business class.
My pure guess here might be that from the United side, the lowest eligible business to first booking code is D. I believe Miles and More can book as low as P papa class to upgrade to First, right? Well it seems quite clear as of now if us United'ers buy D class on LH we can upgrade with a GPU into A class.
My pure guess here might be that from the United side, the lowest eligible business to first booking code is D. I believe Miles and More can book as low as P papa class to upgrade to First, right? Well it seems quite clear as of now if us United'ers buy D class on LH we can upgrade with a GPU into A class.
So unless you can produce a screenshot showing a confirmed upgrade on LH booking into A ... I'll say it is MOLAs making up stuff.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 21, 2019 at 5:47 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
#1778
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,239
Questions for the experts in applying GPUs on Lufthansa. I got a Premium Economy (R) on a UA codeshare operated by Lufthansa (SFO-Europe). I called today to attempt to apply a GPU since the reservation has to be moved to an LH coded flight. The agent is clueless but transferred me to the supervisor, who said you cannot do that because there is no mapping from a United Premium Economic (R) to a Lufthansa Premium Economy fare class. Any advise if that's correct and to what fare class does R map to?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 21, 2019 at 11:29 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
#1779
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,179
The mapping is UA O, A, R -> LH G, E, N.
However, LH N fares are not eligible for GPU upgrade.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 21, 2019 at 11:30 pm Reason: quote update to reflect Moderator edit
#1781
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Help with GPU upgrade possibility on LH
Would someone be able to guide me with the possibility of getting an upgrade from a purchased H class fare on Lufthansa using GPUs for three members of my family traveling IAH - FRA - BLR on LH7600 (June 18) and LH754 June 19) respectively. Thank you so much!
#1782
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
Welcome to FT!, Zzsun
The process steps are described here and here
A key point is you will need a separate GPU for each LH flight (so six GPU for three people on two LH flight)
As for chances, the availability of award space is the best external indicator (check on united.com). Three spaces may be tough but not impossible
A key point is you will need a separate GPU for each LH flight (so six GPU for three people on two LH flight)
As for chances, the availability of award space is the best external indicator (check on united.com). Three spaces may be tough but not impossible
#1783
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,324
Also note that LH7600 is operated by United, so you would upgrade it like you would a United flight. However, since LH754 is an LH flight, you still need two GPU per pax for the whole distance.
#1784
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
ouch, 6 GPUs one way (assuming the 3 family members are going by themselves... if OP too that's 8!) At that point personally I'd consider rebooking into an itinerary with UA as long haul maybe EWR-BOM and connect from there
#1785
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
from these responses, it looks like i'm a complete dunce for wanting to use up my GPUs in this manner. that may very well explain why i've never been able to use them in the past. is there a place online where someone can help me book a roundtrip ticket and use my GPUs. in this particular case, my itinerary is entirely flexible, so there should be a decent chance of being able to find some way to use these GPUs and get an upgrade. i just don't seem to be able to find it. i recall seeing somewhere that there are websites where, for a small fee, folks can help people like me...