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 23, 2016, 3:54 pm
#31
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: 66,861
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!
Then all 1Ks (just 1Ks after 1 Feb) on YBM fares.
Then any certs, mileage upgrades sorted by status and then fare class
And below you will be CPUs of all but GS.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ersus-cpu.html
Jan 24, 2016, 6:27 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 235
In the five day window up to T-24, Premier members may clear CPUs with a Y or B fare - 1Ks on M as well. This has priority over instruments.
As of 1 Feb 16, Only 1K's in Y, B, or M may get a CPU prior to from T-96 to T-24. This will still have priority to instruments, according to United.com.
From the way I read the website at T-24 the waitlist reverts to status, fare class, and finally time added to the list.
Of course this is only on CPU eligible flights.
As of 1 Feb 16, Only 1K's in Y, B, or M may get a CPU prior to from T-96 to T-24. This will still have priority to instruments, according to United.com.
From the way I read the website at T-24 the waitlist reverts to status, fare class, and finally time added to the list.
Of course this is only on CPU eligible flights.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/default.aspx
The only change they show is that only 1k will have priority on Y/B/M as of 2/1/16 vs premier Y/B.
Jan 24, 2016, 8:31 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ABQ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Executive
Posts: 167
Been trying to use one last RPU for about 2 months now, unsuccessfully.
My next flight is tomorrow (DEN-SFO) - no R space since booking till now. Flight is F1, Y2, B2. After check in I find I'm #7 on the upgrade list. Guess there are 6 GS or other 1Ks with Y/B/M or instruments in front of me. I was surprised to be that low on the list - usually as a 1K on an E or U fare, I'm in the top 5.
Goodness, it is hard to use these things sometimes!
My next flight is tomorrow (DEN-SFO) - no R space since booking till now. Flight is F1, Y2, B2. After check in I find I'm #7 on the upgrade list. Guess there are 6 GS or other 1Ks with Y/B/M or instruments in front of me. I was surprised to be that low on the list - usually as a 1K on an E or U fare, I'm in the top 5.
Goodness, it is hard to use these things sometimes!
Jan 24, 2016, 10:43 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
Jan 25, 2016, 11:39 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
You are correct, and that is a pretty big change in favor of 1K's. That is the only change as of 1 Feb. CPUs for 1K only on YBM fares T-96 to T-24.
Jan 25, 2016, 12:24 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
Been trying to use one last RPU for about 2 months now, unsuccessfully.
My next flight is tomorrow (DEN-SFO) - no R space since booking till now. Flight is F1, Y2, B2. After check in I find I'm #7 on the upgrade list. Guess there are 6 GS or other 1Ks with Y/B/M or instruments in front of me. I was surprised to be that low on the list - usually as a 1K on an E or U fare, I'm in the top 5.
Goodness, it is hard to use these things sometimes!
My next flight is tomorrow (DEN-SFO) - no R space since booking till now. Flight is F1, Y2, B2. After check in I find I'm #7 on the upgrade list. Guess there are 6 GS or other 1Ks with Y/B/M or instruments in front of me. I was surprised to be that low on the list - usually as a 1K on an E or U fare, I'm in the top 5.
Goodness, it is hard to use these things sometimes!
Jan 25, 2016, 12:41 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Lots of folks rebooked due to East Coast weather - and when rushed, agents book into Y.
Feb 20, 2016, 4:07 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
We've cleared into F on a flight using RPUs. Flight is next weekend. Now our plans have changed, and I'd like to pull the RPUs and fly in E+, which is empty.
Do I have to call, or can I do this on line?
Do I have to call, or can I do this on line?
Feb 21, 2016, 12:55 am
#39
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: 66,861
Only an agent can do this and it requires your original fare class being available (or there will be a fare change fee).
Feb 21, 2016, 12:51 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
Thanks
Another question. We received 4 RPUs as 1K. We are also 2MM. Should we receive another 2 RPUs on that basis?
Another question. We received 4 RPUs as 1K. We are also 2MM. Should we receive another 2 RPUs on that basis?
Feb 21, 2016, 9:57 pm
#41
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: 66,861
Feb 24, 2016, 4:32 am
#42
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Not showing on Upgrade Standby List after check-in
This is a data point after my last trip. After I checked in, one of the segments with RPU applied did not show up on the Upgrade Standby list although the boarding pass said "added to upgrade standby list." The cause was that my PNR was messed up. An agent cleaned up the record (if you are curious, this happened at GUM check-in counter 
) and my name magically appeared on the list. So, if this happens to you next time, you should ask an agent to clean up the PNR even an agent may say that your flight is out of the 24-h window. This problem appeared before with GPU, but I never knew the real cause of it before this trip. Hope that this information will help someone. Happy travels.
) and my name magically appeared on the list. So, if this happens to you next time, you should ask an agent to clean up the PNR even an agent may say that your flight is out of the 24-h window. This problem appeared before with GPU, but I never knew the real cause of it before this trip. Hope that this information will help someone. Happy travels.
Mar 2, 2016, 7:48 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 375
Used a RPU for EWR-LAX tomorrow, got the notification that it did not clear and accepted the 299$ buy up, as there were only two seats left. The other seat was gone within an hour as well. When should I expect to see my RPU redeposited? Do I need to call ?
Mar 2, 2016, 11:34 pm
#44
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: 66,861
Apr 5, 2016, 7:40 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,011
Perhaps a question for a new thread entirely, but does anyone know if the language around earning additional RPUs was ever modified when PQDs were instituted? It occurs to me that there are now people who could theoretically have 100k+ PQM but not hit the PQD requirements necessary to get from Platinum to 1K (like myself this year, most likely!). I feel like it would be 'nice' to give Platinums 2 more RPUs for each additional 25k PQM (which is the policy once you hit 1K), even if they haven't satisfied the PQD to get to 1K.