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]
Mar 19, 2017, 9:02 am
#301
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: TPA
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz PC
Posts: 35
RPU help
Ok, Im new to the RPU world. Yes, I know that from what i constantly read here that they're essentially useless at times.
I have an upcoming work trip to HNL and obviously would like to use an rpu for the LAX>HNL leg. I went on UA.com and applied the RPU. Said waitlist only.
Now here's my question. I really only care about using the RPU on the HNL leg. How exactly do RPUs work? If i don't get the HNL leg but get upgraded on one of the 2 other legs of the trip, can I remove/de-apply the rpu to save it for another time?
I have an upcoming work trip to HNL and obviously would like to use an rpu for the LAX>HNL leg. I went on UA.com and applied the RPU. Said waitlist only.
Now here's my question. I really only care about using the RPU on the HNL leg. How exactly do RPUs work? If i don't get the HNL leg but get upgraded on one of the 2 other legs of the trip, can I remove/de-apply the rpu to save it for another time?
Mar 19, 2017, 10:46 am
#302
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
It is possible to remove a cleared RPU but it takes some effort and requires your original fare class to be available -- or my may have to wait and request the GA to switch you. And then you will likely have a poor choice of seats.
Mar 28, 2017, 12:50 pm
#303
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
Applied RPU on SFO - CLE redeye flight that I recently booked but looked into either buying up to a M class with "instant" CPU or A (first) fare. Agent seemed confused but bottom line was the M class was actually more than a "discount first fare". Didn't seem right but the agent said "it happens". Also, she seemed confused as to when the "instant" CPU would clear even if one would have bought up to a M class. She implied it was not immediate. Having never done this I found it confusing and misleading. She did state that if I bought a M class my "CPU" would clear before my "discount" coach fare with instrument. Is any of this correct?
Mar 28, 2017, 12:55 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
Applied RPU on SFO - CLE redeye flight that I recently booked but looked into either buying up to a M class with "instant" CPU or A (first) fare. Agent seemed confused but bottom line was the M class was actually more than a "discount first fare". Didn't seem right but the agent said "it happens". Also, she seemed confused as to when the "instant" CPU would clear even if one would have bought up to a M class. She implied it was not immediate. Having never done this I found it confusing and misleading. She did state that if I bought a M class my "CPU" would clear before my "discount" coach fare with instrument. Is any of this correct?
It is correct that instant-upgrade M fares (for a 1K) will clear before an RPU would. For 1Ks, they clear into the PN bucket. There's a wiki on the Y/B/M thread. Despite the "instant" moniker, these are capacity controlled.
Mar 28, 2017, 12:55 pm
#305
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
Applied RPU on SFO - CLE redeye flight that I recently booked but looked into either buying up to a M class with "instant" CPU or A (first) fare. Agent seemed confused but bottom line was the M class was actually more than a "discount first fare". Didn't seem right but the agent said "it happens". Also, she seemed confused as to when the "instant" CPU would clear even if one would have bought up to a M class. She implied it was not immediate. Having never done this I found it confusing and misleading. She did state that if I bought a M class my "CPU" would clear before my "discount" coach fare with instrument. Is any of this correct?
- It is very common for "First (lowest)" to be less expensive than M class. M fares are usually very expensive.
- An Instant Upgrade as a 1K (on a Y/B/M fare) has a higher priority than an instrument-supported upgrade.
- Instant Upgrades (for 1K) will clear immediately if PN space is available. An agent should be able to tell you this, but you can confirm using Expert Mode as well. If they don't clear immediately, you can manually clear them if you see PN space (in theory it's automatic but you know how well UA IT works).
Mar 28, 2017, 1:36 pm
#306
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
Most of what the agent said is correct:
- It is very common for "First (lowest)" to be less expensive than M class. M fares are usually very expensive.
- An Instant Upgrade as a 1K (on a Y/B/M fare) has a higher priority than an instrument-supported upgrade.
- Instant Upgrades (for 1K) will clear immediately if PN space is available. An agent should be able to tell you this, but you can confirm using Expert Mode as well. If they don't clear immediately, you can manually clear them if you see PN space (in theory it's automatic but you know how well UA IT works).
- It is very common for "First (lowest)" to be less expensive than M class. M fares are usually very expensive.
- An Instant Upgrade as a 1K (on a Y/B/M fare) has a higher priority than an instrument-supported upgrade.
- Instant Upgrades (for 1K) will clear immediately if PN space is available. An agent should be able to tell you this, but you can confirm using Expert Mode as well. If they don't clear immediately, you can manually clear them if you see PN space (in theory it's automatic but you know how well UA IT works).
Mar 28, 2017, 1:40 pm
#307
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
Thanks that cleared much up. In theory as a 1K you could buy up to M class (yes I am finding as being expensive) and if NO PN space is available you may not ever get an upgrade and have blown the added $$$ for the higher fare coach, is this at least in theory true? ....
Mar 28, 2017, 1:59 pm
#308
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
I have stated previously that I have bought up class fares for international travel in an attempt to get a better chance to clear GPU's and that back fired as well. Won't do that again.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:05 pm
#309
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
Additionally, should you buy a Y/B/M fare with NO current PN space the PN space would then clear AFTER GS CPU's which out of SFO is no small group. The "benefit" of an instant upgrade for 1K's buying Y/B/M fares is really a bit of smoke and glass as I see it.
I have stated previously that I have bought up class fares for international travel in an attempt to get a better chance to clear GPU's and that back fired as well. Won't do that again.
I have stated previously that I have bought up class fares for international travel in an attempt to get a better chance to clear GPU's and that back fired as well. Won't do that again.
The other source of M and higher fares are close-in bookings on busy flights when M is all that's left (and in that case the A fare will be more).
Mar 28, 2017, 2:11 pm
#310
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Discount first class fares (P, Z, A) are generally not flexible.
You're looking at this solely through the lens of upgrading, and that's limiting your view.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:26 pm
#311
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
You would buy an M either because it's flexible (changeable/refundable) or because it's the cheapest coach fare available and you're required under applicable travel policy to purchase coach.
Discount first class fares (P, Z, A) are generally not flexible.
You're looking at this solely through the lens of upgrading, and that's limiting your view.
Discount first class fares (P, Z, A) are generally not flexible.
You're looking at this solely through the lens of upgrading, and that's limiting your view.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:32 pm
#312
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Apr 17, 2017, 1:53 pm
#313
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
F3 FN5 A3 ON4 O0 J9 JN3 C3 D3 Z3 ZN3 P3 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N8 XN9 X9
Apr 17, 2017, 2:08 pm
#314
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
Hmm...speaking of RPUs, how do I go about using one? This is my first year being Platinum, and I have 2 RPUs in my account. I believe I have to be booked in a W fare in order to apply the RPU, right? Do I just have to call United to pay the fare difference between my K fare and a W fare, and then ask for the RPU to be applied to my HNL-DEN leg of my trip? Looking at that flight, here are the fare buckets as of now...any idea what my chances would be of actually getting the RPU applied?
F3 FN5 A3 ON4 O0 J9 JN3 C3 D3 Z3 ZN3 P3 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N8 XN9 X9
F3 FN5 A3 ON4 O0 J9 JN3 C3 D3 Z3 ZN3 P3 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N8 XN9 X9
There is no minimum fare class for RPU use, so you should be able to call and apply the RPU to HNL-DEN.
Apr 17, 2017, 2:44 pm
#315
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
F3 A3 JN3 C3 D3 Z0 ZN0 P0 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9 N9 XN9 X8
My flight is about 3 weeks away, so what would you think are my chances of a successful RPU on that segment? I don't really care about upgrading on the other segments. According to the United page, Economy is sold out for that flight, and only Economy (flexible) is available. Would that affect things, do you think? What else would I need to know to increase my chances for RPU? If I request RPU, does that try to upgrade the whole return flight (MNL-DEN), or just HNL-DEN? As I said, I really only care about HNL-DEN, so if that doesn't go through, how can I cancel an RPU request? I'd rather not waste an RPU on MNL-GUM, for example! Thanks again!