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]
#121
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
All set / pain free. I waited until my friend's SFO-EWR was actually in the air and "flown", then cancelled his online check-in and called Reservations. They understood the request and were happy to reinstate his original booking class and call their support desk to have my RPU redeposited. This took about 15 min total, including time on hold.
My friend is now #1 on the upgrade list (CPU) for 4 seats on the EWR-BOS. Pity that his SFO-EWR didn't clear but, hey, at least I didn't burn an RPU for very little benefit.
My friend is now #1 on the upgrade list (CPU) for 4 seats on the EWR-BOS. Pity that his SFO-EWR didn't clear but, hey, at least I didn't burn an RPU for very little benefit.
#122
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: STL
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Plat, SPG/M P75 and few from CC
Posts: 341
If you did nothing, the RPU is likely to be re-deposited within 1-2 day of flight completion in this situation.
#123
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
A Regional Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded and flown.
#125
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: STL
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA Plat, SPG/M P75 and few from CC
Posts: 341
I have DPs (at least 3 within 12months) where reservation contains
1. One segment of flight that would require a RPU to upgrade (P.S., HNL-IAH/IAD/EWR), but upgrade not cleared.
2. One or more CPU eligible segment(s) cleared (Immediately when applied, or at gate, or sometime in between).
Those RPUs were redeposited after each trip completion.
1. One segment of flight that would require a RPU to upgrade (P.S., HNL-IAH/IAD/EWR), but upgrade not cleared.
2. One or more CPU eligible segment(s) cleared (Immediately when applied, or at gate, or sometime in between).
Those RPUs were redeposited after each trip completion.
Why? It is clearly stated There is no BF exemption that GPU and mileage upgrades have.
#126
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 66
RPU Question
I'm sure this has been answered but I cannot find. 2 questions regarding RPU / GPU. I hit platinum this year for the first time and will probably make 1K so I have never used either of them.
1) When using an RPU / GPU, do you also pay the co-pay as if you were upgrading with miles or do they waive the co-pay when using one of these upgrades?
2) When using one of these upgrades do you get PQM credit (1.5) as if you were flying in business/first?
Thanks in advance
1) When using an RPU / GPU, do you also pay the co-pay as if you were upgrading with miles or do they waive the co-pay when using one of these upgrades?
2) When using one of these upgrades do you get PQM credit (1.5) as if you were flying in business/first?
Thanks in advance
#127
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,293
Congrats on earning the level.
(1) No copay with RPU / GPU.
(2) No extra PQM credit.
(1) No copay with RPU / GPU.
(2) No extra PQM credit.
#129
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 7
About to hit Platinum for the first time. Do the RPUs you get expire? If so, how long are they good?
(Can't imagine them giving an RPU in October that is only good until December, but I guess anything is possible.)
(Can't imagine them giving an RPU in October that is only good until December, but I guess anything is possible.)
#130
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...gupgrades.aspx
#131
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 7
"Regional Premier Upgrades will be deposited at the time when they are earned, and will be valid through the end of the following Premier program year."
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...gupgrades.aspx
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...gupgrades.aspx
#132
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum
Posts: 1,360
Applying RPU at booking
If I search selecting MileagePlus Upgrade Awards and use RPU to book, will the eticket show First when issued? If I need the eticket to show economy for reimbursement, am I correct that I sould ticket first, and apply RPU after eticket is issued?
Thanks
Thanks
#133
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
At times, I have similiar reimbursement issues and need to do the two step process. Make sure you have actually received the economy receipt prior to applying the upgrade.
#134
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Back in June, I booked a few mileage runs.
AAA-BBB-CCC-DDD-AAA.
Technically, the itinerary is a same day round trip AAA-CCC (BBB ad DDD are different connection cities). However, since all Connections are all < 4 hours I was able to use 1 RPU to upgrade all 4 segments.
This weekend, I noticed that United took a 2nd RPU for each mileage run itinerary. In other words, 1 RPU for the outbound and another RPU for the return.
AAA-BBB-CCC-DDD-AAA.
Technically, the itinerary is a same day round trip AAA-CCC (BBB ad DDD are different connection cities). However, since all Connections are all < 4 hours I was able to use 1 RPU to upgrade all 4 segments.
This weekend, I noticed that United took a 2nd RPU for each mileage run itinerary. In other words, 1 RPU for the outbound and another RPU for the return.