where to go with GPU? Help please
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: United 1K; 1.66MM
Posts: 385
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.
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: 1MM
Posts: 1,583
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,571
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.
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA-1Kmm, AA-EX Plt mm-, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 1,093
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.
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:51 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: United 1K; 1.66MM
Posts: 385
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.
Jun 4, 2015 | 12:55 pm
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 62,389
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.
ICN, NRT/HND, and TPE also are good bets for R space.
Jun 4, 2015 | 1:07 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,401
Jun 5, 2015 | 10:31 am
#14
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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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.
Jun 5, 2015 | 12:24 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: United 1K; 1.66MM
Posts: 385
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.
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.