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]
Dec 19, 2017, 1:13 am
#511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
Dec 28, 2017, 12:43 pm
#512
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
I am new to the RPU game. Have 2 RPU's that will expire in Jan so am trying to use them.
Used expert mode to find flight IAH to BLZ - selected RPU upgrade search - showed 3 flights - middle one was great price most availability (R7),
I thought that meant I could confirm at time of booking but maybe I misunderstood, as that does not appear to be happening.
What am I doing wrong? I am Plat if that matters at all.
Thanks for any enlightenment!
Used expert mode to find flight IAH to BLZ - selected RPU upgrade search - showed 3 flights - middle one was great price most availability (R7),
I thought that meant I could confirm at time of booking but maybe I misunderstood, as that does not appear to be happening.
What am I doing wrong? I am Plat if that matters at all.
Thanks for any enlightenment!
Dec 28, 2017, 12:47 pm
#513
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 215
I am new to the RPU game. Have 2 RPU's that will expire in Jan so am trying to use them.
Used expert mode to find flight IAH to BLZ - selected RPU upgrade search - showed 3 flights - middle one was great price most availability (R7),
I thought that meant I could confirm at time of booking but maybe I misunderstood, as that does not appear to be happening.
What am I doing wrong? I am Plat if that matters at all.
Thanks for any enlightenment!
Used expert mode to find flight IAH to BLZ - selected RPU upgrade search - showed 3 flights - middle one was great price most availability (R7),
I thought that meant I could confirm at time of booking but maybe I misunderstood, as that does not appear to be happening.
What am I doing wrong? I am Plat if that matters at all.
Thanks for any enlightenment!
Dec 28, 2017, 1:08 pm
#514
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
I'm kinda worried that I might not be able to make this flight really happen (family medical problems that may or may not cause a cancellation)...so am trying to find a really low cost fare that won't make me cry if I have to cancel and this one fits the bill pretty well.
Dec 28, 2017, 1:17 pm
#515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,158
No I didn't continue with the booking as I thought I should be able to see the upgrade available to choose at time of booking. I can give that a try though since I have 24 hours to cancel. right?
I'm kinda worried that I might not be able to make this flight really happen (family medical problems that may or may not cause a cancellation)...so am trying to find a really low cost fare that won't make me cry if I have to cancel and this one fits the bill pretty well.
I'm kinda worried that I might not be able to make this flight really happen (family medical problems that may or may not cause a cancellation)...so am trying to find a really low cost fare that won't make me cry if I have to cancel and this one fits the bill pretty well.
As you pointed out, if anything funky happens, you have 24 hours to just cancel with a full refund.
ADDED: Just to be sure, can you use RPUs for travel to Belize? (which is where I assume you meant by BLZ - which is actually in Malawi. The airport code for Belize is BZE, I beleive)
Or do you need GPU for that Intl flight? I don't know the rules well enough for short haul Intl flights to know for sure.
Dec 28, 2017, 1:37 pm
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
Dec 28, 2017, 1:46 pm
#517
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,158
Dec 28, 2017, 2:50 pm
#518
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: Marriott Plat Lifetime, United 1 Million Miler
Posts: 59
Hello, I am currently Plat with United, and have flown about 45 K miles this year. I am planning to use Flex PQM to get Platinum status for 2018 (if not, I fall to gold as a million miler).
From an RPU earning perspective, does it matter if I apply my Flex PQM now or next year to reach Plat status? Will I earn 2 RPUs irrespective of when I do it? If so will the expiration dates be the same?
Thanks
From an RPU earning perspective, does it matter if I apply my Flex PQM now or next year to reach Plat status? Will I earn 2 RPUs irrespective of when I do it? If so will the expiration dates be the same?
Thanks
Dec 28, 2017, 4:29 pm
#519
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
RPUs earned for making Plat status will be good until 31 Jan 2019.
Dec 30, 2017, 10:24 am
#520
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: iah
Programs: United Premiere 1K, SW Companion, Marriott Titanium Elite lifetime, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 82
No I didn't continue with the booking as I thought I should be able to see the upgrade available to choose at time of booking. I can give that a try though since I have 24 hours to cancel. right?
I'm kinda worried that I might not be able to make this flight really happen (family medical problems that may or may not cause a cancellation)...so am trying to find a really low cost fare that won't make me cry if I have to cancel and this one fits the bill pretty well.
I'm kinda worried that I might not be able to make this flight really happen (family medical problems that may or may not cause a cancellation)...so am trying to find a really low cost fare that won't make me cry if I have to cancel and this one fits the bill pretty well.
Now my problem is finding out where we should stay - no SPG/Marriott/Hyatt there. There is a Hilton Curio collection which might be an option. I could also do a home exchange - a few options there as well. But was wondering if anyone out there has a great hotel to recommend as this is a birthday trip for my husband. We have lots of CSR and MR points to use...as well as my CSR travel credit. Any Belize advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Dec 30, 2017, 12:54 pm
#521
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
Might I suggest FT's Central America forum
and/or
Hotels and Places to Stay
search for Belize and you will get numerous suggestions
and/or
Hotels and Places to Stay
search for Belize and you will get numerous suggestions
Dec 31, 2017, 10:52 am
#522
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, SPG Gold, United 1K, Hilton Diamond, Diamond Golden Circle
Posts: 158
Recently had to cancel a flight which I had applied 2 RPU's on. The flight was successfully cancelled with a phone agent, but I never received the RPU's back. It's been 3 weeks. How long should it take or do I not receive them back at all?
Dec 31, 2017, 11:00 am
#523
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
You'll have to call or email. It shouldn't take more than a couple days.
Dec 31, 2017, 11:50 am
#524
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
At this point, pretty safe to say they are not coming back unless you call MPSC.
Dec 31, 2017, 2:32 pm
#525
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 189
Has anyone been able to confirm an RPU at the time of booking in the last year? I have flown more international than national in 2017, but am just stunned that there is never a confirmable RPU at the time of booking. Case in point: ORD to RDU; ORD to JAX, hardly hot spots during mid-week at 1PM. This is such a serious erosion of what was once a nice 1K perk. But, am curious as to others' experiences?