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 6, 2018, 7:31 am
#586
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
So, my thoughts:
R fare does not indicate RPU? I clear into R on a CPU as well. By my previous statement logic, you DID clear via a CPU and the RPU was just redeposited by the normal UA systems. That's what I would guess
Or your letter worked but I would think they hadn't received it yet if there's no response. *shrug*
How can we really know LOL
R fare does not indicate RPU? I clear into R on a CPU as well. By my previous statement logic, you DID clear via a CPU and the RPU was just redeposited by the normal UA systems. That's what I would guess
Or your letter worked but I would think they hadn't received it yet if there's no response. *shrug*
How can we really know LOL
Mar 6, 2018, 7:49 am
#587
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,481
When I looked at my account yesterday, it shows that my ORD-GRR leg was an R fare (indicating RPU). I called the 1K desk, explained the entire situation (including the fact that F had empty seats) and the agent is super receptive...but she needs to call Mileage Plus. She returns from hold and tells me, "I'm sorry, since you sat in first class, the RPU is considered used." She did add some anecdotal commentary that "sometimes when the long-haul leg doesn't clear, the systemwide will go back into your account." ...ymmv.
As a last resort, I wrote my sob story to Customer Care (using almost all 2,000 characters in the process) and to my surprise, I logged in this morning to see that the RPU had been redeposited as of yesterday, despite not yet getting a response from Customer Care. Coincidence? Luck?
Mar 6, 2018, 8:30 am
#588
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Here is the info I found on this link on the UA website:
Premier members will earn two Regional Premier Upgrades upon meeting all qualification requirements of Premier Platinum status, plus two more upon meeting all qualification requirements of Premier 1K® status. An additional two Regional Premier Upgrades will be awarded for each 25,000 Premier qualifying miles or 30 Premier qualifying segments earned thereafter during the same calendar year that Premier 1K was reached.
Mar 6, 2018, 1:12 pm
#589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,425
As a last resort, I wrote my sob story to Customer Care (using almost all 2,000 characters in the process) and to my surprise, I logged in this morning to see that the RPU had been redeposited as of yesterday, despite not yet getting a response from Customer Care. Coincidence? Luck?
Mar 6, 2018, 1:52 pm
#590
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Dear Mr. LRMERNST:
We’re always glad to hear from Premier 1K members like you. Thanks for writing.
The Regional Upgrade deducted February 28th has been redeposited.
Thanks for flying United®.
LRMERNST - 1, United - 0 (Assuming we're only keeping score from the last 24 hours
)
Mar 14, 2018, 11:30 am
#591
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I have an upcoming flight from EWR-LAX that I'm trying to use an RPU on. Looking at the upgrade page, it says that online upgrades are not available, but still has a button for me to press to apply an RPU. Here is what that screen looks like:
When I press the button, the screen changes to the following:
However, I don't see a "Save Selection" or "Continue" or anything else to click on, and so when I exit out of the upgrade page and then go back into it, it looks like the first image again. I realize that the RPU won't clear immediately, but I'd at least like to get on the list. Am I doing something wrong? I've tried on a couple different browsers, and get the same results from each.
When I press the button, the screen changes to the following:
However, I don't see a "Save Selection" or "Continue" or anything else to click on, and so when I exit out of the upgrade page and then go back into it, it looks like the first image again. I realize that the RPU won't clear immediately, but I'd at least like to get on the list. Am I doing something wrong? I've tried on a couple different browsers, and get the same results from each.
Mar 14, 2018, 11:39 am
#592
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,421
However, I don't see a "Save Selection" or "Continue" or anything else to click on, and so when I exit out of the upgrade page and then go back into it, it looks like the first image again. I realize that the RPU won't clear immediately, but I'd at least like to get on the list. Am I doing something wrong? I've tried on a couple different browsers, and get the same results from each.
Mar 14, 2018, 1:11 pm
#593
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
Seems to be a recurring problem, it has happened to be and it has been mentioned on other threads. I now basically call all my upgrade in until this is fixed. Make sure you instruments are used first in and first out.
Mar 14, 2018, 1:13 pm
#594
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Problem solved...I called, and they were able to apply the RPU for me, so at least I'm waitlisted for the upgrade.
Regarding the FIFO on the instruments, you're talking about if you have instruments that don't expire at the same time, and to make sure that the ones that expire first are used first, correct?
Regarding the FIFO on the instruments, you're talking about if you have instruments that don't expire at the same time, and to make sure that the ones that expire first are used first, correct?
Mar 14, 2018, 1:18 pm
#595
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
Problem solved...I called, and they were able to apply the RPU for me, so at least I'm waitlisted for the upgrade.
Regarding the FIFO on the instruments, you're talking about if you have instruments that don't expire at the same time, and to make sure that the ones that expire first are used first, correct?
Regarding the FIFO on the instruments, you're talking about if you have instruments that don't expire at the same time, and to make sure that the ones that expire first are used first, correct?
Mar 14, 2018, 1:23 pm
#596
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Yes absolutely. The agents have screwed this up for me several times, I always double check and ask them which one they are applying as I still have 4 from last year (2 from wive's account) and obviously want to use those first (although good luck with that, nothing has cleared for me since the first of the year).
Mar 14, 2018, 2:01 pm
#597
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
RPU request removal
Hello, as part of international itinerary, I will be flying EWR-SFO-LAX and, on the return, LAX-IAD-EWR. The trancon segments have not cleared whereas the SFO-LAX and the IAD-EWR segments cleared. I do not want to waste RPUs on these short segments. Until when do I have to request removal of RPU upgrade requests on the non-cleared transcon segments? Travel on 19 and 21 March. Thanks.
Mar 14, 2018, 2:10 pm
#598
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
Prior to the gate, your original fare class will be needed to downgrade -- otherwise, there will be a fare difference.
Mar 14, 2018, 2:32 pm
#599
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
Mar 14, 2018, 2:59 pm
#600
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
One last question, please. On the westbound on 19 March, if I request a removal of the applied RPU for the SFO-LAX segment, now, would I still be eligible for a possible CPU on same flight, if it becomes available?