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}
#1786
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#1787
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To consider additionally... LH upgrades clear much much more frequently than on UA.
#1788
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Hi all - I booked ORD-FRA-MAD and returning LIS-IAD-ORD. The ORD-FRA and FRA-MAD are on LH metal, with the LIS-IAD-ORD on UA metal. I applied a C>F GPU for the ORD-FRA leg. The flight was originally booked as a codeshare flight number on 016 ticket stock. I called UA and they changed to a native LH flight number and issued a new ticket on 016 stock. I successfully applied a GPU and was waitlisted and saw some wonky things after applying the GPU.
When I viewed my reservation on UA, the outbound LH segments were missing completely. When I view the reservation on LH, it was all there (ORD-FRA waitlist to O, FRA-MAD confirmed in D, ORD-FRA confirmed in D, LIS-IAD and IAD-ORD confirmed in D). I called UA reservations and they 'put it back' and it shows right on UA.com now, but that made me nervous. Has anyone ever run into this? Should I be worried?
Looking at the ORD-FRA leg on UA.com, it comes up when searching for a revenue ticket but not when searching for an award ticket. So I assume this is the award space indicator that generally shows if upgrade space is available (or lack of space in this case). Am i thinking about this correctly? I plan to start calling LH and checking on space this coming week. FYI, the available fare classes per UA.com show: J4, C4, D4, Z4, P3, O6, A0, R0, Y6, B6, M6, U6, H0, Q6, V6, W6, S4, T0, L0, K0. Not sure if that actually indicates anything here...
Thanks!
When I viewed my reservation on UA, the outbound LH segments were missing completely. When I view the reservation on LH, it was all there (ORD-FRA waitlist to O, FRA-MAD confirmed in D, ORD-FRA confirmed in D, LIS-IAD and IAD-ORD confirmed in D). I called UA reservations and they 'put it back' and it shows right on UA.com now, but that made me nervous. Has anyone ever run into this? Should I be worried?
Looking at the ORD-FRA leg on UA.com, it comes up when searching for a revenue ticket but not when searching for an award ticket. So I assume this is the award space indicator that generally shows if upgrade space is available (or lack of space in this case). Am i thinking about this correctly? I plan to start calling LH and checking on space this coming week. FYI, the available fare classes per UA.com show: J4, C4, D4, Z4, P3, O6, A0, R0, Y6, B6, M6, U6, H0, Q6, V6, W6, S4, T0, L0, K0. Not sure if that actually indicates anything here...
Thanks!
#1789
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Why? You'll either clear or you won't. Calling won't help, and you're unlikely to learn anything by doing so. You'll just waste your own time, plus that of the customer service agent.
Last edited by jsloan; Mar 9, 2019 at 3:50 pm
#1790
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I agree with jsloan, calling LH is a waste of time. You clear or you don't.
#1791
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When I viewed my reservation on UA, the outbound LH segments were missing completely. When I view the reservation on LH, it was all there (ORD-FRA waitlist to O, FRA-MAD confirmed in D, ORD-FRA confirmed in D, LIS-IAD and IAD-ORD confirmed in D). I called UA reservations and they 'put it back' and it shows right on UA.com now, but that made me nervous. Has anyone ever run into this? Should I be worried?
#1792
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Any updates on whether UA is allowing conversion of P fares to LH numbers now? DEL-FRA I'm considering whether to book via United.com or Lufthansa. It shows O6 on United.com, does that mean GPU will clear right away?
I don't have any preference where to book and PQD is non-issue. Please advise. March 20 travel.
I don't have any preference where to book and PQD is non-issue. Please advise. March 20 travel.
#1793
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Unfortunately, that loophole has been closed. No more GPUing a P fare to LH F.
#1794
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United does not allow converting P and Z fares. P-fares are upgradable using LH eGPUs and O6 is a very good indication it will clear right away, but NOT a guarantee!
#1795
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#1796
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Yes, this.
In fact, the number of times we have tried to use GPUs (even with I9 showing in M&M) to upgrade from Y - it's never been successful.
Current reservations (with a high economy (refundable) fare) are even still waitlisted for the upgrade!
I'm sure if I use my LH miles, they would clear instantly...
In fact, the number of times we have tried to use GPUs (even with I9 showing in M&M) to upgrade from Y - it's never been successful.
Current reservations (with a high economy (refundable) fare) are even still waitlisted for the upgrade!
I'm sure if I use my LH miles, they would clear instantly...
#1797
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Just to add a data point:
February 15, 2019 - Booked D fare on LH 728 on 5/24
February 15, 2019 - Applied GPU & waitlisted
March 4, 2019 - GPU cleared ^
February 15, 2019 - Booked D fare on LH 728 on 5/24
February 15, 2019 - Applied GPU & waitlisted
March 4, 2019 - GPU cleared ^
#1798
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#1799
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Apologies for asking but the wiki and the corresponding thread on the LH Group forum is a bit confusing - if I book a 016 P fare with a native LH flight number, will it be eligible for upgrade (GPU or otherwise)?
#1800
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Otherwise (LH intruments/miles) - Yes