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}
#1801
Hm. Less than two weeks to flight, space is F6A5, no F space opened and GPU is still in waitlist. Grr.
#1802
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I'm on a flight from IAD to FRA in early April. I booked PE and was about to apply a GPU, but now I'm not so sure. All J and PE fare buckets are showing 9s across the board. The EF seat map (I know) indeed shows about a dozen unpicked/blocked seats. The PE seat map only has one seat open. I'm guessing that there may be some upward movement from PE to J. Not sure I want to waste a GPU...
#1803
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,974
I'm on a flight from IAD to FRA in early April. I booked PE and was about to apply a GPU, but now I'm not so sure. All J and PE fare buckets are showing 9s across the board. The EF seat map (I know) indeed shows about a dozen unpicked/blocked seats. The PE seat map only has one seat open. I'm guessing that there may be some upward movement from PE to J. Not sure I want to waste a GPU...
#1804
That is perfectly normal and highly route dependent. IAH-FRA is one for example where F6 at T-14 did not clear. Heavy last-minute booking route and LH does not want to give out O when they think there is a chance they can sell A. Often at T-9 or T-7 you start seeing these clear on F6 in my experience.
#1806
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,974
which route is it? I find e.g. that JFK-MUC clears early if not available and FRA-IAH/SIN and others do not. Of course it is also dependent on the day of the week.
#1807
HND-FRA. Usually clears ahead, but one time had to wait until the counter agent pushed it through (and didn’t get to print the cool green colour smartTag on the Rimowa - had the black & white one ... oh #firstworldproblems, haha)
#1808
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 77
Hi all,
I wanted to ask for advice on using GPUs for my upcoming business trips between YUL and MUC/FRA. I have yet to use my GPUs and hopefully they will be handy this time. I know how to request for it online, but don't know how to search for availability.
For my first trip I'm looking for Friday Apr 6th or Sat Apr 7th from YUL to MUC, and return FRA-YUL Apr 24 (Wed) or 25 (Thu). If I wanted to book on LH flights:
I wanted to ask for advice on using GPUs for my upcoming business trips between YUL and MUC/FRA. I have yet to use my GPUs and hopefully they will be handy this time. I know how to request for it online, but don't know how to search for availability.
For my first trip I'm looking for Friday Apr 6th or Sat Apr 7th from YUL to MUC, and return FRA-YUL Apr 24 (Wed) or 25 (Thu). If I wanted to book on LH flights:
- Any idea how to find availability for instant upgrades on LH flights?
- I was told LH I space might be a starting point, but where can I search for space availability?
#1809
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,132
If you see Lufthansa award flights available on united.com chances are very high for an instant upgrade using GPU.
#1810
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Hi all,
I wanted to ask for advice on using GPUs for my upcoming business trips between YUL and MUC/FRA. I have yet to use my GPUs and hopefully they will be handy this time. I know how to request for it online, but don't know how to search for availability.
For my first trip I'm looking for Friday Apr 6th or Sat Apr 7th from YUL to MUC, and return FRA-YUL Apr 24 (Wed) or 25 (Thu). If I wanted to book on LH flights:
I wanted to ask for advice on using GPUs for my upcoming business trips between YUL and MUC/FRA. I have yet to use my GPUs and hopefully they will be handy this time. I know how to request for it online, but don't know how to search for availability.
For my first trip I'm looking for Friday Apr 6th or Sat Apr 7th from YUL to MUC, and return FRA-YUL Apr 24 (Wed) or 25 (Thu). If I wanted to book on LH flights:
- Any idea how to find availability for instant upgrades on LH flights?
- I was told LH I space might be a starting point, but where can I search for space availability?
As far as I can see, there is no I availability on either the Friday or Saturday outbound, nor on the Wednesday or Thursday return. That could change, of course.
#1811
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,974
yeah, that's a strange route to see them stick to F6 and not open up 'O'. That being said ... I would go for ANA on Japan-Europe routes If you see'O' it will 100% clear. They also have 2004 Krug on board right now and if you are lucky Hibiki 21
#1812
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 77
LOL . Was getting tired while typing.
- Where would I book this from (LH, UA, expedia, ...)?
- Is this thread (Determining LH Y/E/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]) the only place where I can find LH availability, or can I search by myself?
- Is award availability on UA flight (ex: JN9, ZN4) a good indication for GPU upgrade?
#1813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,974
LOL . Was getting tired while typing.
- Where would I book this from (LH, UA, expedia, ...)? Does not matter for the purpose of using a GPU to upgrade. Easiest is UA or LH
- Is this thread (Determining LH Y/E/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]) the only place where I can find LH availability, or can I search by myself? I-class availability is found on United.com or on EF
- Is award availability on UA flight (ex: JN9, ZN4) a good indication for GPU upgrade? I thought you were looking to upgrade LH? Then you need to look for LH coded flight availability, not any codeshares
#1814
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Rather annoyingly, there is nothing to be done here. It’s a 016 ticket booked in R class with a UA flight number so no GPU possible. Silly mistake.
#1815
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
I seem to have hit the problem of there being no inventory on the LH code when trying to convert a UA->LH code again. Particularly odd as I'm booked into U, and it's U0 on the LH code but all other buckets are available.