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 11, 2016, 5:31 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K - Hilton Gold - Marriott Gold
Posts: 10
Jan 13, 2016, 8:09 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: BA Silver, SPG Gold, UA Platinum, AS MVP75K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 46
Advice on RPU Usage
Hi All,
Long time lurker first time poster here so please be gentle.
Im currently on 1599 tmw morning in E+. Im a UA plat and there are 2 seats available upfront. Would you expert flyers out there use up a RPU for this or take the chances for an upgrade ??
Long time lurker first time poster here
so please be gentle. Im currently on 1599 tmw morning in E+. Im a UA plat and there are 2 seats available upfront. Would you expert flyers out there use up a RPU for this or take the chances for an upgrade ??
Jan 13, 2016, 8:14 pm
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
Jan 13, 2016, 8:19 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,003
Seems like you are flying YYC-IAH. It's a ~4 hour flight on a 738, so it really depends upon whether or not there are longer flights you are taking that might be more worthwhile / comfortable to use it on for flights later this year.
Jan 13, 2016, 8:44 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: BA Silver, SPG Gold, UA Platinum, AS MVP75K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 46
Its part of a longer journey that will take me to DEL - too bad I missed 1k otherwise I could have tried my hand at using a GPU. Is this one of the longer flights that a CPU could be used for departing YYC?
Jan 14, 2016, 6:13 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ABQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Executive
Posts: 166
Told I can't redeposit a waitlisted RPU
Just got off the phone with reservations and MP service center - was told I cannot cancel/redeposit an RPU that is waitlisted for a trip tomorrow, and that I must wait until the trip is completed. Tried HUCA, and got the same answer. Is this really true?
The backstory here is that I have one RPU left that expires on 1/31. Looks like nothing is going to clear for my trip tomorrow, as everything is booked full. I'll take my chances with the gate lottery, as I'm #1 on the CPU list. I want the RPU back now to use for my last trip before the end of the month, which has R space available at the moment. Seems odd that I can't cancel the waitlist and get my upgrade back whenever I want, as long as no segments have cleared.
The backstory here is that I have one RPU left that expires on 1/31. Looks like nothing is going to clear for my trip tomorrow, as everything is booked full. I'll take my chances with the gate lottery, as I'm #1 on the CPU list. I want the RPU back now to use for my last trip before the end of the month, which has R space available at the moment. Seems odd that I can't cancel the waitlist and get my upgrade back whenever I want, as long as no segments have cleared.
Jan 14, 2016, 7:07 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,459
The backstory here is that I have one RPU left that expires on 1/31. Looks like nothing is going to clear for my trip tomorrow, as everything is booked full. I'll take my chances with the gate lottery, as I'm #1 on the CPU list. I want the RPU back now to use for my last trip before the end of the month, which has R space available at the moment. Seems odd that I can't cancel the waitlist and get my upgrade back whenever I want, as long as no segments have cleared.
Jan 16, 2016, 4:38 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ABQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Executive
Posts: 166
Thanks - didn't realize RPU/GPU changed your ranking on the upgrade list. Figured I was #1 as a 1K on an "E" fare, seemed possible if not likely.
At any rate, neither segment cleared. Now I have to wait until the flights post to my account to get my RPU back. Of course, the R space on my flights next week is now gone...
At any rate, neither segment cleared. Now I have to wait until the flights post to my account to get my RPU back. Of course, the R space on my flights next week is now gone...
Jan 16, 2016, 4:42 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,459
Thanks - didn't realize RPU/GPU changed your ranking on the upgrade list. Figured I was #1 as a 1K on an "E" fare, seemed possible if not likely.
At any rate, neither segment cleared. Now I have to wait until the flights post to my account to get my RPU back. Of course, the R space on my flights next week is now gone...
At any rate, neither segment cleared. Now I have to wait until the flights post to my account to get my RPU back. Of course, the R space on my flights next week is now gone...
Now it occurs to me that I think I've seen others describe un-checking in, then calling to remove the _PU, then re-checking in; perhaps someone else can confirm that as a possibility.
Jan 16, 2016, 5:45 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,022
Just got off the phone with reservations and MP service center - was told I cannot cancel/redeposit an RPU that is waitlisted for a trip tomorrow, and that I must wait until the trip is completed. Tried HUCA, and got the same answer. Is this really true?
The backstory here is that I have one RPU left that expires on 1/31. Looks like nothing is going to clear for my trip tomorrow, as everything is booked full. I'll take my chances with the gate lottery, as I'm #1 on the CPU list. I want the RPU back now to use for my last trip before the end of the month, which has R space available at the moment. Seems odd that I can't cancel the waitlist and get my upgrade back whenever I want, as long as no segments have cleared.
The backstory here is that I have one RPU left that expires on 1/31. Looks like nothing is going to clear for my trip tomorrow, as everything is booked full. I'll take my chances with the gate lottery, as I'm #1 on the CPU list. I want the RPU back now to use for my last trip before the end of the month, which has R space available at the moment. Seems odd that I can't cancel the waitlist and get my upgrade back whenever I want, as long as no segments have cleared.
Jan 17, 2016, 4:16 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: United: 1K, BA: Silver, IHG: Plat, Hyatt: Plat, Marriott: Gold, SPG: Gold, Avis: Chairman
Posts: 178
Is IAH HNL route no longer eligible for RPU use?
I'm trying to book a iah to hnl round trip in September. Looking at the united upgrades page it shows that this route is eligable for RPU use. When I search the route online and select to use an upgrade, I see 'not eligable for upgrade' displayed on the results for the direct flight. I see upgrade options on connection routes. If I select GPU instead of RPU, I see upgrade options for the direct flight.
Is this route no longer eligable for RPU, even though the united upgrade chart shows that it is? :-(
Is this route no longer eligable for RPU, even though the united upgrade chart shows that it is? :-(
Jan 17, 2016, 4:27 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,022
I'm trying to book a iah to hnl round trip in September. Looking at the united upgrades page it shows that this route is eligable for RPU use. When I search the route online and select to use an upgrade, I see 'not eligable for upgrade' displayed on the results for the direct flight. I see upgrade options on connection routes. If I select GPU instead of RPU, I see upgrade options for the direct flight.
Is this route no longer eligable for RPU, even though the united upgrade chart shows that it is? :-(
Is this route no longer eligable for RPU, even though the united upgrade chart shows that it is? :-(
Jan 17, 2016, 4:42 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London
Programs: United: 1K, BA: Silver, IHG: Plat, Hyatt: Plat, Marriott: Gold, SPG: Gold, Avis: Chairman
Posts: 178
Jan 23, 2016, 2:40 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New York
Programs: EK Plat, UA GS, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 514
Upgrade Priority using RPU?
So on an IAH-LGA flight in late April, F was north of $1500 for the one way while Y was $140. Obviously I just booked Y for this flight.
Anyway, I applied an RPU to this reservation. What is my priority on the UG list? Im still not completely clear on where i would land (before GS on CPU or after?).
Its an A319 with one seat already taken. No R availability right now.
Thanks for the help!
Anyway, I applied an RPU to this reservation. What is my priority on the UG list? Im still not completely clear on where i would land (before GS on CPU or after?).
Its an A319 with one seat already taken. No R availability right now.
Thanks for the help!