where to go with GPU? Help please
 

I have 6 GPUs sitting idle right now. Had tried to find a place (almost any place) to go and use the GPU at booking before Dec 31, do not want to waitlist for upgrade. Can you expert FTers help to locate bookable R spaces? thank you.

Where are you flying from?

Enable "expert mode" in your profile and go to advanced search and choose fare classes W and above. There is a whole thread here called GPU Upgrade success 2015 that would give you what routes to look for and then plug in your dates and look for open R space. That would be the easiest way. Some routes generally have R space available on weekday flights to Asia/ Europe.

GPU's as you have discovered are a great marketing promise that looks good on paper. Using them for some of us can be very frustrating if we want a GPU to be confirmed at time of booking. It would not be so bad if buying an eligible fare did not involve a game of chance such as this lottery. For me this is one of several reasons I"m not working to re-qualify as a 1K again this year. In fact this GPU aspect often leaves me feeling so angry that if I can't confirm something at time of booking I refuse to book the trip on UA at all. My revenue immediately goes to another carrier as a form of protest.

From SAN, can be SFO or LAX, R for trans-ATL or PAC.

So true. It's getting harder and harder to use GPU. Did not used to have the problem in the past.

Hong Kong. There is a very cheap W fare SFO-HKG right now (as low as $1077) and R can be found, particularly on flights Mon-Thurs.

ICN, NRT/HND, and TPE also are good bets for R space.

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Good luck finding R space.

I agree with Kacee. R space at the time of booking from SFO to Asia exists. Particularly if you are looking out to Dec. 31. Not every day, not every destination, but it is there. :)

Where in Europe (and what dates) do you see R space?

R is pretty easy to find going to Brazil, too.

Oh? will check it out. Thanks.

Pretty good success with Lufthansa and GPUs, though as far as I understand you don't know at time of booking whether it'll go through.

False, now that LH GPUs are electronic, they can be confirmed at the time of request if business (Y->C GPU) or first (C->F GPU) award inventory is available.

SEA/LAX/SFO->FRA C->F GPUs are probably one of the better uses of GPU that exist. Y->C isn't bad either if you get the new C.

If OP wants to go to Europe, this would be the preferred way, but can be hard to secure at booking. The most frequently available R on US->EU routes is UA metal for the early flights from ORD->FRA/LHR, and any of the hubs to BRU/AMS.

For more "exotic" destinations, don't forget that UA recently added IAH-SCL flight.

I have seen a bit of R available on the Australia flights lately too, particularly LAX-SYD.

Very helpful and actionable suggestions. Thanks much.