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]
Jan 19, 2017, 12:31 pm
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Thank you again. OK one LAST scenario if I may (yes I am ruthless in trying to get best value).
So what IF I found an R category flight and then purchased it on Amex travel (United is my platinum airline). Could I then call United to apply the RPU...or even better do it myself online at United?
So what IF I found an R category flight and then purchased it on Amex travel (United is my platinum airline). Could I then call United to apply the RPU...or even better do it myself online at United?
Jan 19, 2017, 12:43 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Had a weird one today.
Booked an itinerary after finally finding some R space. R4 on both the original search, as well as subsequent checks...but apparently it is phantom inventory. When I tried to apply the RPU, it indicated waitlist only.
Checked with both 1K desk and web desk - they say no upgrade available. I then got a rather snotty lecture from the web desk person that expert mode is "informational only" and doesn't mean the information is accurate
I was within 24 hours, so just cancelled the trip.
Is anyone else experiencing phantom R on United flights?
Booked an itinerary after finally finding some R space. R4 on both the original search, as well as subsequent checks...but apparently it is phantom inventory. When I tried to apply the RPU, it indicated waitlist only.
Checked with both 1K desk and web desk - they say no upgrade available. I then got a rather snotty lecture from the web desk person that expert mode is "informational only" and doesn't mean the information is accurate
I was within 24 hours, so just cancelled the trip.
Is anyone else experiencing phantom R on United flights?
Jan 19, 2017, 12:45 pm
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
p.s. 772 inventory is wrong in Expert Mode. I haven't encountered phantom R elsewhere though. What flight?
Jan 19, 2017, 1:04 pm
#244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
p.s. 772 EWR->SFO UA418
I didn't realize this was a known issue.
Frustrating to finally find the increasingly elusive R space, then find out it doesn't actually exist.
Jan 19, 2017, 1:11 pm
#245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Yeah, unfortunately a known problem. It can be somewhat more obvious when the flight has been booked heavily and shows something like J4 R4 IN4 I0, which is patently absurd.
Notably this also causes phantom revenue inventory, where P appears to be available but cannot be purchased. It can also be backwards (flights that show R0 but actually have R space). Using ExpertFlyer or another GDS source will show accurate inventory, but R is not published.
Notably this also causes phantom revenue inventory, where P appears to be available but cannot be purchased. It can also be backwards (flights that show R0 but actually have R space). Using ExpertFlyer or another GDS source will show accurate inventory, but R is not published.
Jan 19, 2017, 1:42 pm
#246
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
As and aside I travel on biz SFO - KOA and SFO - HNL and use the RPU/GPU's when I can. I have found they will clear but often just at 24 hours, usually easier into KOA.
Jan 19, 2017, 2:13 pm
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
ON is the what one looks for when upgrading from a paid Business ticket into First:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...uckets-ua.html
Jan 19, 2017, 5:50 pm
#248
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NJ
Programs: UA-plat, HH-Diamond, Marriott-gold
Posts: 212
Jan 22, 2017, 8:04 am
#249
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
You don't actually purchase R class. You buy a ticket in a paid fare class and then upgrade into R. The fare class you bought remains in the shadows.
ON is the what one looks for when upgrading from a paid Business ticket into First:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...uckets-ua.html
ON is the what one looks for when upgrading from a paid Business ticket into First:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...uckets-ua.html
It also appears that now when I put if my flight - ie IAH to LAX (or anywhere) I get a list of available flights and then I have to click on EACH ONE to see if there is any R inventory available (and so far have found 0 on any)??
Please tell me I am missing something important here.
Last edited by cece4; Jan 22, 2017 at 8:10 am
Jan 22, 2017, 8:37 am
#250
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Just when I thought I was getting somewhere. OK so I have expert mode enabled...and I SWEAR that when I first did this last week that searching for RPU award was a possibility (in the fare preference - upgrade type drop down box-RPU was there) but now do not see such a thing (only thing there is MUA).
It also appears that now when I put if my flight - ie IAH to LAX (or anywhere) I get a list of available flights and then I have to click on EACH ONE to see if there is any R inventory available (and so far have found 0 on any)??
Please tell me I am missing something important here.
It also appears that now when I put if my flight - ie IAH to LAX (or anywhere) I get a list of available flights and then I have to click on EACH ONE to see if there is any R inventory available (and so far have found 0 on any)??
Please tell me I am missing something important here.
For issue 2: most flights don't have R inventory open, so you're unlikely to easily find anything. However the website also has an issue here: it only seems to show R inventory if you search for individual legs. So if e.g. SFO-LAX has inventory, searching SFO-LAX-IAH would show R0 for both legs. (The upgrade for SFO-LAX would still go through, it just won't show while you're booking the ticket.)
Jan 22, 2017, 9:24 am
#251
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
For issue 1: double-check that you're logged in. If you already are: log out and log back in. The website (or even parts thereof) can easily get confused and think you're not logged in. I see "MUA", "RPU", and "GPU" options (you won't have the last one if not 1k).
For issue 2: most flights don't have R inventory open, so you're unlikely to easily find anything. However the website also has an issue here: it only seems to show R inventory if you search for individual legs. So if e.g. SFO-LAX has inventory, searching SFO-LAX-IAH would show R0 for both legs. (The upgrade for SFO-LAX would still go through, it just won't show while you're booking the ticket.)
For issue 2: most flights don't have R inventory open, so you're unlikely to easily find anything. However the website also has an issue here: it only seems to show R inventory if you search for individual legs. So if e.g. SFO-LAX has inventory, searching SFO-LAX-IAH would show R0 for both legs. (The upgrade for SFO-LAX would still go through, it just won't show while you're booking the ticket.)
Issue 2 - I am only searching individual legs at this time - and R0 is showing on each possible option. Could it be because it somehow does not know I have RPU Available to use (even though 4 are showing in my account and I am logged in)
Maybe I will go try a different browser next!!
*** UPDATE ***
So apparently that was the problem??
Chrome - shows no RPU available when I search inventory
(or is not recognizing my log in maybe??)
When I switched to Explorer and signed in -it now shows RPU availability.
WOW this is crazy
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 22, 2017 at 11:42 am Reason: Merged update by same member
Jan 22, 2017, 6:37 pm
#252
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Intermittent problems with a website can be confusing. If the problem manifests, then you switch browsers and the problem is suddenly gone, it's tempting to think you've discovered the issue. But modern e-commerce sites like UA's almost always work in all up-to-date browsers.
Jan 23, 2017, 4:26 am
#253
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
It's not your browser, I promise. It is, however, possible that your cookie on Chrome was corrupted, so logging in with IE allowed you to log in fully. Resetting Chrome should solve the problem.
Intermittent problems with a website can be confusing. If the problem manifests, then you switch browsers and the problem is suddenly gone, it's tempting to think you've discovered the issue. But modern e-commerce sites like UA's almost always work in all up-to-date browsers.
Intermittent problems with a website can be confusing. If the problem manifests, then you switch browsers and the problem is suddenly gone, it's tempting to think you've discovered the issue. But modern e-commerce sites like UA's almost always work in all up-to-date browsers.
Jan 25, 2017, 2:29 pm
#254
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Expiring RPU, will united 1k CS extend date?
Hi,
I have some expiring RPU that is due soon on 1/31. Will 1k extend these like the GPUs til april? Much appreciated for your response.
I have some expiring RPU that is due soon on 1/31. Will 1k extend these like the GPUs til april? Much appreciated for your response.
Jan 25, 2017, 2:31 pm
#255
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