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]
May 29, 2017, 2:59 pm
#361
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Believe I've read that you can call to revoke a cleared segment, redeposit the RPU, and end up back in Y. This requires inventory in the originally ticketed fare class.
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on? On the one hand I have more certs than I can reasonably use, but on the other it seems silly to burn one if a CPU is a sure thing..
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on? On the one hand I have more certs than I can reasonably use, but on the other it seems silly to burn one if a CPU is a sure thing..
May 29, 2017, 3:38 pm
#362
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May 29, 2017, 3:50 pm
#363
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Believe I've read that you can call to revoke a cleared segment, redeposit the RPU, and end up back in Y. This requires inventory in the originally ticketed fare class.
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on?...
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on?...
May 29, 2017, 4:02 pm
#364
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Fair enough - flight is still a ways out so I don't know what it will look like at T-96. But if it's R3 or better after T-96 I would speculate that my CPU chances as a 1K are at least 95%. (Currently 2 paid, my RPU that cleared at 21 days out exactly, and 13 empty on a 738 - F9 PN9 R3). 17 booked (assigned) in E+ though which is why I threw the RPU on it.
May 29, 2017, 7:16 pm
#365
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Believe I've read that you can call to revoke a cleared segment, redeposit the RPU, and end up back in Y. This requires inventory in the originally ticketed fare class.
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on? On the one hand I have more certs than I can reasonably use, but on the other it seems silly to burn one if a CPU is a sure thing..
If so, this seems to provide an incentive to try this if T-96 rolls around and the flight looks CPU-able. Do people do this? Is it frowned on? On the one hand I have more certs than I can reasonably use, but on the other it seems silly to burn one if a CPU is a sure thing..
I did consider it more seriously on a flight I had booked earlier this year, but it was a redeye and I didn't want to take the chance, small as it may have been, of ending up in Y.
May 31, 2017, 7:51 am
#366
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
Flying back from the beach ORF-ORD-IAH on Sunday 7/23 (UA1801/UA1218). 3 on PNR (wife and 8yo daughter are non-status). They don't travel often & I want to treat them to FC if I can. Only have 2 RPU's & I'm not worried about sitting in the back.
Can I apply the 2 RPU's to only them on the reservation? Is it better to apply the RPU to myself and give the seat to my wife/daughter and hope the RPU applied to one of them clears? Like I said, my goal is to get both of them up front if I can (not necessarily to clear all 3 of us).
Wondering what the best strategy is to manage this & am a little nervous about "splitting the reservation" as we will be loaded down with luggage and can't afford to have them "lose" my Plat baggage allowance on the return trip.
Can I apply the 2 RPU's to only them on the reservation? Is it better to apply the RPU to myself and give the seat to my wife/daughter and hope the RPU applied to one of them clears? Like I said, my goal is to get both of them up front if I can (not necessarily to clear all 3 of us).
Wondering what the best strategy is to manage this & am a little nervous about "splitting the reservation" as we will be loaded down with luggage and can't afford to have them "lose" my Plat baggage allowance on the return trip.
May 31, 2017, 11:37 am
#367
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Flying back from the beach ORF-ORD-IAH on Sunday 7/23 (UA1801/UA1218). 3 on PNR (wife and 8yo daughter are non-status). They don't travel often & I want to treat them to FC if I can. Only have 2 RPU's & I'm not worried about sitting in the back.
Can I apply the 2 RPU's to only them on the reservation? Is it better to apply the RPU to myself and give the seat to my wife/daughter and hope the RPU applied to one of them clears? Like I said, my goal is to get both of them up front if I can (not necessarily to clear all 3 of us).
Wondering what the best strategy is to manage this & am a little nervous about "splitting the reservation" as we will be loaded down with luggage and can't afford to have them "lose" my Plat baggage allowance on the return trip.
Can I apply the 2 RPU's to only them on the reservation? Is it better to apply the RPU to myself and give the seat to my wife/daughter and hope the RPU applied to one of them clears? Like I said, my goal is to get both of them up front if I can (not necessarily to clear all 3 of us).
Wondering what the best strategy is to manage this & am a little nervous about "splitting the reservation" as we will be loaded down with luggage and can't afford to have them "lose" my Plat baggage allowance on the return trip.
Jun 6, 2017, 6:52 pm
#368
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When does RPU deposit to MP account after crossing 25K PQM? 
Next day? Next week? Next month?
Next day? Next week? Next month?
Jun 6, 2017, 8:06 pm
#369
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Jun 6, 2017, 8:12 pm
#370
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Jun 6, 2017, 9:34 pm
#371
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
Curious thing - I am searching flights from the east coast to GCM. Any direct flight is shown as ineligible for RPU upgrade, but connecting flights show as eligible (though all "waitlisted" anyway) for both the domestic and the connecting international leg.
- Is that correct, are flights to GCM RPU-eligible?
- If they are - why is it only listed for connecting flights?
- Is that correct, are flights to GCM RPU-eligible?
- If they are - why is it only listed for connecting flights?
Jun 7, 2017, 11:00 am
#372
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
Anyone? Chart says flights to Caribbean and Central America are RPU-eligible. What's missing?
Here is an example:
Here is an example:
Last edited by br2k; Jun 7, 2017 at 11:16 am Reason: add screen capture
Jun 7, 2017, 3:06 pm
#373
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Jun 7, 2017, 3:12 pm
#374
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75K PQM and PQD obligations met (CC or spend) - 2 RPU
100K PQM and PQD spend met - 6 GPU and 2 RPU
Every 25K after 100K - 2 RPU
Every 50K PQM after 100K - 2 GPU
Obviously substitute segments for PQM if that is your thing
Jun 7, 2017, 4:12 pm
#375
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OK, there seems to be confusion...
75K PQM and PQD obligations met (CC or spend) - 2 RPU
100K PQM and PQD spend (12,000 PQD, or foreign residency) met - 6 GPU and 2 RPU
Every 25K after 100K (and have qualified for 1K) - 2 RPU
Every 50K PQM after 100K (and have qualified for 1K) - 2 GPU
Obviously substitute segments for PQM if that is your thing
75K PQM and PQD obligations met (CC or spend) - 2 RPU
100K PQM and PQD spend (12,000 PQD, or foreign residency) met - 6 GPU and 2 RPU
Every 25K after 100K (and have qualified for 1K) - 2 RPU
Every 50K PQM after 100K (and have qualified for 1K) - 2 GPU
Obviously substitute segments for PQM if that is your thing