Jan 9, 2016, 5:58 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
This thread is for general RPU usage questions. ---- Previous Thread was Specific GPU and RPU usage questions thread
Questions like "will my upgrade clear" are better placed in
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight [2016]
How often do your RPUs clear?
General comments on utility / value are better placed in
My new United Regional Premier Upgrade (RPU) strategy
Regional Premier® Upgrades (RPUs) are one-way, one-cabin, space available confirmable upgrades as early as the time of ticketing on eligible UA/UX and Copa Airlines-operated flights. They can be used on any fare and any flight that is also CPU eligible and on PS flights. This includes some Oceania and some COPA South America flights. They are generally not usable on flights outside of North America -- see upgrade region chart for details.
PS and non-west coast Hawaii flights are considered one of the better uses of RPUs since those flights are not CPU eligible and since elites are subject to copays on mileage upgrades.
RPUs are earned by elites -- (Re-)qualifying for Premier Platinum earns 2 RPU for the rest of the year, all of the next year and then thru 31 January of the following year. Re-)qualifying for Premier 1K earns 2 more RPUs and you can then earn 2 more RPUs for each additional 25K PQMs.
Unlike GPUs, UA does not offer an extension of unused and about to expire RPUs.
2MM, assuming they did not otherwise qualify for Platinum in the prior year, will have 2 RPUs deposited into their account around mid-January. 3MM+, assuming they did not otherwise qualify for 1K in the prior year, will have 2 RPUs and 6 GPUs deposited into their account around mid-January.
RPUs can be used for other individuals / friends / family but the upgrade priority is based on the status of the flyer, not the earning elite.
RPUs require PZ space (formerly R) to clear (except for GS RPUs which clear into PN space). For a given flight, RPU /GPU or Mileage+Copay have the same waitlist priority -- what does matter is passenger Status then Fare Class and then the time of the request. For more on waitlisting, see Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown - no exception. Miles and GPUs have an exception if the waitlisted International BF/GF (now called Polaris business / first) does not clear, the miles/GPU will be returned -- this does not apply to RPUs. Recent changes in the rules make it clear there is no exception for PS routes.
Note on most RPU routes, a "connection" needs to be under 4 hours (longer only if it is the next scheduled flight) or a single RPU will not apply. This standard stopover definition for North American flights.
A single RPU (or GPU or Miles+copay) can not be applied to flights on different PNRs (or for different carriers even on the same PNR).
Questions like "will my upgrade clear" are better placed in
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight [2016]
How often do your RPUs clear?
General comments on utility / value are better placed in
My new United Regional Premier Upgrade (RPU) strategy
Regional Premier® Upgrades (RPUs) are one-way, one-cabin, space available confirmable upgrades as early as the time of ticketing on eligible UA/UX and Copa Airlines-operated flights. They can be used on any fare and any flight that is also CPU eligible and on PS flights. This includes some Oceania and some COPA South America flights. They are generally not usable on flights outside of North America -- see upgrade region chart for details.
PS and non-west coast Hawaii flights are considered one of the better uses of RPUs since those flights are not CPU eligible and since elites are subject to copays on mileage upgrades.
RPUs are earned by elites -- (Re-)qualifying for Premier Platinum earns 2 RPU for the rest of the year, all of the next year and then thru 31 January of the following year. Re-)qualifying for Premier 1K earns 2 more RPUs and you can then earn 2 more RPUs for each additional 25K PQMs.
Unlike GPUs, UA does not offer an extension of unused and about to expire RPUs.
2MM, assuming they did not otherwise qualify for Platinum in the prior year, will have 2 RPUs deposited into their account around mid-January. 3MM+, assuming they did not otherwise qualify for 1K in the prior year, will have 2 RPUs and 6 GPUs deposited into their account around mid-January.
RPUs can be used for other individuals / friends / family but the upgrade priority is based on the status of the flyer, not the earning elite.
RPUs require PZ space (formerly R) to clear (except for GS RPUs which clear into PN space). For a given flight, RPU /GPU or Mileage+Copay have the same waitlist priority -- what does matter is passenger Status then Fare Class and then the time of the request. For more on waitlisting, see Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown - no exception. Miles and GPUs have an exception if the waitlisted International BF/GF (now called Polaris business / first) does not clear, the miles/GPU will be returned -- this does not apply to RPUs. Recent changes in the rules make it clear there is no exception for PS routes.
Note on most RPU routes, a "connection" needs to be under 4 hours (longer only if it is the next scheduled flight) or a single RPU will not apply. This standard stopover definition for North American flights.
A single RPU (or GPU or Miles+copay) can not be applied to flights on different PNRs (or for different carriers even on the same PNR).
General RPU earning & usage questions [Consolidated 2016 onward]
Nov 9, 2016, 12:12 pm
#166
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Sorry that I haven't searched (since "CPU") is not allowed.
If I apply an RPU before the CPU threshold, and R and I inventory do get released at T-72, and I'm eligible for either, does it apply the CPU or the RPU? Is it better for me to apply the RPU at sometime like T-70 or so?
If I apply an RPU before the CPU threshold, and R and I inventory do get released at T-72, and I'm eligible for either, does it apply the CPU or the RPU? Is it better for me to apply the RPU at sometime like T-70 or so?
The RPU will be pulled first, and rightly so because it will be giving you priority over the CPUs. You could certainly wait until T-70 to apply the RPU to try for CPU, exactly as you note, but there are two major drawbacks: (a) you will be clearing at lower priority, so also possible you missed your only chance to clear at all, and (b) it's unusual for a flight which is R0 at T-72 to clear any window CPUs.
Nov 9, 2016, 12:16 pm
#167
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Sorry that I haven't searched (since "CPU") is not allowed.
If I apply an RPU before the CPU threshold, and R and I inventory do get released at T-72, and I'm eligible for either, does it apply the CPU or the RPU? Is it better for me to apply the RPU at sometime like T-70 or so?
If I apply an RPU before the CPU threshold, and R and I inventory do get released at T-72, and I'm eligible for either, does it apply the CPU or the RPU? Is it better for me to apply the RPU at sometime like T-70 or so?
RPUs trump a lot of CPUs, so whenever you think you're not going to get a CPU (before or after your window) is when to apply it.
I know there was at least one Plat+ sitting in coach SFO-OGG last night because he either 1) decided not to act Saturday when R1 showed up with only two seats left and only one upgrade granted after T-96, or 2) he was oblivious to how things works, or 3) he knew how things worked and really didn't want the upgrade. I guess there's 4) he's an eternal optimist...
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Nov 9, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Nov 10, 2016, 11:48 am
#168
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Noob question: how long does it take for RPUs to post? I crossed plat recently, the miles from that flight posted in 2 days and my MP account reflected the plat status immediately, but I don't see any RPUs yet (i.e. I don't see the option to upgrade using an RPU yet).
(And where do I even go to view how many RPUs I have?)
Fortunately I already have one good candidate for upgrading: a p.s. 777 with R=3. Not too sure where I should try to apply my other one yet - all my other upcoming long RPU-eligible flights have R=0 and are close to being sold out in domestic first. (I'll be 1k soon, so I'll have plenty of certs to use next year, I'll probably end up using my GPUs domestically for various reasons.)
(And where do I even go to view how many RPUs I have?)
Fortunately I already have one good candidate for upgrading: a p.s. 777 with R=3. Not too sure where I should try to apply my other one yet - all my other upcoming long RPU-eligible flights have R=0 and are close to being sold out in domestic first. (I'll be 1k soon, so I'll have plenty of certs to use next year, I'll probably end up using my GPUs domestically for various reasons.)
Nov 10, 2016, 11:57 am
#169
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Posts: 14,424
Noob question: how long does it take for RPUs to post? I crossed plat recently, the miles from that flight posted in 2 days and my MP account reflected the plat status immediately, but I don't see any RPUs yet (i.e. I don't see the option to upgrade using an RPU yet).
(And where do I even go to view how many RPUs I have?)
Fortunately I already have one good candidate for upgrading: a p.s. 777 with R=3. Not too sure where I should try to apply my other one yet - all my other upcoming long RPU-eligible flights have R=0 and are close to being sold out in domestic first. (I'll be 1k soon, so I'll have plenty of certs to use next year, I'll probably end up using my GPUs domestically for various reasons.)
(And where do I even go to view how many RPUs I have?)
Fortunately I already have one good candidate for upgrading: a p.s. 777 with R=3. Not too sure where I should try to apply my other one yet - all my other upcoming long RPU-eligible flights have R=0 and are close to being sold out in domestic first. (I'll be 1k soon, so I'll have plenty of certs to use next year, I'll probably end up using my GPUs domestically for various reasons.)
Note that p.s. 772s are notorious for inventory bugs. The first question I would ask is "does this inventory make sense?", and don't be surprised if it errors out. For example, this 772 tomorrow fails the sanity check (and indeed has shown IN = R = J since it was loaded, and I have confirmed with an agent this is false):
Nov 10, 2016, 12:30 pm
#170
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Noob question: how long does it take for RPUs to post? I crossed plat recently, the miles from that flight posted in 2 days and my MP account reflected the plat status immediately, but I don't see any RPUs yet (i.e. I don't see the option to upgrade using an RPU yet). ....
Nov 10, 2016, 2:58 pm
#171
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
The RPUs generally deposit 6 to 48 hours after the status posts (and not instantaneously). You will see your RPU balance in the large gold box on the home page (which lists your RDM and other status), as well as in the summary of your balances on "View Account". I believe there were some reports of deposit issues - if you haven't seen them after 3 days I would call and ask about it.
Note that p.s. 772s are notorious for inventory bugs. The first question I would ask is "does this inventory make sense?", and don't be surprised if it errors out. For example, this 772 tomorrow fails the sanity check (and indeed has shown IN = R = J since it was loaded, and I have confirmed with an agent this is false):
Note that p.s. 772s are notorious for inventory bugs. The first question I would ask is "does this inventory make sense?", and don't be surprised if it errors out. For example, this 772 tomorrow fails the sanity check (and indeed has shown IN = R = J since it was loaded, and I have confirmed with an agent this is false):
And huh - looking in expert mode I actually see R=0. I was previously looking at the upgrade screen which showed "3 seats available" for a miles+copay upgrade, which I had assumed was directly linked to R=3, but apparently not. I'll wait to see what happens if/when my RPUs post.
Nov 10, 2016, 3:14 pm
#172
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Thanks!
And huh - looking in expert mode I actually see R=0. I was previously looking at the upgrade screen which showed "3 seats available" for a miles+copay upgrade, which I had assumed was directly linked to R=3, but apparently not. I'll wait to see what happens if/when my RPUs post.
And huh - looking in expert mode I actually see R=0. I was previously looking at the upgrade screen which showed "3 seats available" for a miles+copay upgrade, which I had assumed was directly linked to R=3, but apparently not. I'll wait to see what happens if/when my RPUs post.
Nov 13, 2016, 7:35 pm
#173
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
On Dec. 30, I'm expecting to cross a mileage threshold that should earn me 2 additional RPUs. Does anybody have experience with such a late term threshold crossing, and how long the RPU's earned at the end of a year would be valid?
Nov 13, 2016, 7:54 pm
#174
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
My guess is Jan. 31, 2018. The expiring date should be the same as the rest of your RPUs earned during 2016.
Nov 13, 2016, 7:55 pm
#175
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
No different than those earned today or 10 months ago. 31 Jan 2018.
Nov 22, 2016, 3:12 pm
#176
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Got my first ever RPU's just now. I don't think they had these back when I was a 1K long ago, unless these operate the same as the old paper regional upgrades?
Anyhow, I assume they are valid til the end of next year?
And if I have a future IAD-IAH flight booked, and it says waitlisted on the upgrade screen, I guess I cannot use the RPU? I just have to wait and hope for a CPU? Or is there someway to use the RPU later? Or does that not make any sense?
Anyhow, I assume they are valid til the end of next year?
And if I have a future IAD-IAH flight booked, and it says waitlisted on the upgrade screen, I guess I cannot use the RPU? I just have to wait and hope for a CPU? Or is there someway to use the RPU later? Or does that not make any sense?
Nov 22, 2016, 3:36 pm
#177
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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good until 31 Jan 2018.
On any GPU eligible flight and PS & HNL<>EWR/IAD/IAH flights, you can use a RPU -- it will give you a boost in the waitlist priority.
Nov 22, 2016, 6:09 pm
#178
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
You need to go to the "Redeem Upgrade" button to use RPUs (that shows you the buyup/miles/RPU/GPU options, if available).
Nov 22, 2016, 8:57 pm
#179
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It doesn't seem to be available. Let me explain further. I have a booking that is IAD-IAH-DFW. The IAH-DFW portion is available, but the IAD-IAH leg shows waitlist. So if I click on redeem upgrade, does it upgrade me on the spot for the IAH-DFW leg, but the IAD-IAH leg is waitlisted? And is that waitlist the same priority list as I would be on if I CPU'd?
Nov 22, 2016, 9:01 pm
#180
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It doesn't seem to be available. Let me explain further. I have a booking that is IAD-IAH-DFW. The IAH-DFW portion is available, but the IAD-IAH leg shows waitlist. So if I click on redeem upgrade, does it upgrade me on the spot for the IAH-DFW leg, but the IAD-IAH leg is waitlisted? And is that waitlist the same priority list as I would be on if I CPU'd?
Consider calling and ask them to apply it only to the IAD-IAH segment, unless you're willing to burn it on IAH-DFW, regardless whether the longer segment clears.