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 8, 2019, 1:43 pm
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
Yes.
Jan 11, 2019, 6:33 am
#692
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 235
I have a question regarding using an RPU that's set to expire at the end of January...I was going to try to apply it to a LAX-SFO segment (of a larger international itinerary) that's a little over a week from now, but when I view the reservation, I don't even see that I'm on the CPU list for that segment (and it shows there are no instrument options available for that segment). However, scrolling further down the itinerary, it seems that I'm waitlisted for PZ on that segment. How did that happen? And what does that mean? Could this somehow be related to the fact that I'm in a Premium Plus on my SFO-HKG segment (even though there is no "Premium Plus" yet, and I didn't pay for any sort of upgrade)?
Also, I'll be flying NRT-GUM-HNL (where GUM-HNL is the island hopper) on UA. Is it possible to apply an RPU to any of those segments?
Or, I'll also be flying KOA-DEN-YYZ, and I think I can apply it to KOA-DEN, but have no interest in applying it to DEN-YYZ if KOA-DEN doesn't clear. Can I call UA and ask an agent to only apply the RPU to the KOA-DEN segment?
Also, I'll be flying NRT-GUM-HNL (where GUM-HNL is the island hopper) on UA. Is it possible to apply an RPU to any of those segments?
Or, I'll also be flying KOA-DEN-YYZ, and I think I can apply it to KOA-DEN, but have no interest in applying it to DEN-YYZ if KOA-DEN doesn't clear. Can I call UA and ask an agent to only apply the RPU to the KOA-DEN segment?
Jan 11, 2019, 11:23 am
#693
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Ahh, it sounds like you tried to apply the RPU and it failed - I've had this happen twice to me this month. All on multi-segment trips - the RPU/GPU is NOT deducted, the 1st leg shows no upgrades avail at all (can't even try to apply them) and the 2nd leg shows wait listed. Normally the 1st leg has availability when this happened to me. Call UA and have them fix it. Agent said she had been seeing this a lot lately.
Jan 12, 2019, 1:19 pm
#694
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
If the flight is showing PZ3 does that mean if I apply an RPU that it will be instantly upgraded or is there still a waitlist process? Thanks
Jan 12, 2019, 1:24 pm
#695
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: 66,846
Jan 12, 2019, 1:25 pm
#696
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Jan 12, 2019, 1:45 pm
#697
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
Jan 12, 2019, 5:01 pm
#698
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MDE
Programs: UA 1K - 1MM, DL Gold - 2MM, AA Plat - 2MM
Posts: 279
Expiring GPUs
I was a 1K last year and qualified for 1K in 2019. I have a few GPUs expiring this month. Any chance United will extend them a little? Has anyone tried to do this?
Jan 12, 2019, 5:16 pm
#699
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Only two GPUs extended to April 30
Call 1K line to get two GPUs extended. The rest will expire on Jan 31,
Jan 27, 2019, 9:29 am
#700
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Flagging if anyone is interested - ran across it because I am looking at flights around this time, but I need to be on an earlier one - the last flight out on Friday 3/8 (EWR-LAX) is showing PZ1 right now. I can't recall the last time I saw that, so hope someone burns an RPU quick on this!
Jan 28, 2019, 9:36 am
#701
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Coast
Programs: UA 1k & MillM
Posts: 563
Anyone else not having GPUs deduced if waitlisted for upgrade?
I applied GPUs for two flights to Europe in March, both reservations purchased in January, weeks apart. I was waitlisted for an upgrade in both cases, but I noticed that I still have 6 GPU in my account, so neither of the GPUs were deducted from my account, which they usually are.
I called in and had it fixed, because I was worried that it may prevent an upgrade, or put me lower on the waitlist. The agent assured me that the GPU would have been deduced anyway (if/once the upgrade clears).
I applied GPUs for two flights to Europe in March, both reservations purchased in January, weeks apart. I was waitlisted for an upgrade in both cases, but I noticed that I still have 6 GPU in my account, so neither of the GPUs were deducted from my account, which they usually are.
I called in and had it fixed, because I was worried that it may prevent an upgrade, or put me lower on the waitlist. The agent assured me that the GPU would have been deduced anyway (if/once the upgrade clears).
Jan 28, 2019, 11:49 am
#702
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
Flagging if anyone is interested - ran across it because I am looking at flights around this time, but I need to be on an earlier one - the last flight out on Friday 3/8 (EWR-LAX) is showing PZ1 right now. I can't recall the last time I saw that, so hope someone burns an RPU quick on this!
Jan 30, 2019, 6:17 pm
#703
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
So I've found PZ space on international routes before and have experience hunting for those. However, I've never been able to find PZ space domestically. It seems especially tough since UA has gotten really good at filling the cabins domestically.
I'd like to use RPUs on, say, IAD/EWR-HNL, but those seems equally difficult even though there are more F seats than on the domestic mainline 737s and A319/320s. Browsing here, it seems more luck of the draw (more so than with finding it on INTL flights) - but curious if I missed anything, FT RPU experts?
I'd like to use RPUs on, say, IAD/EWR-HNL, but those seems equally difficult even though there are more F seats than on the domestic mainline 737s and A319/320s. Browsing here, it seems more luck of the draw (more so than with finding it on INTL flights) - but curious if I missed anything, FT RPU experts?
Jan 30, 2019, 7:09 pm
#704
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
So I've found PZ space on international routes before and have experience hunting for those. However, I've never been able to find PZ space domestically. It seems especially tough since UA has gotten really good at filling the cabins domestically.
I'd like to use RPUs on, say, IAD/EWR-HNL, but those seems equally difficult even though there are more F seats than on the domestic mainline 737s and A319/320s. Browsing here, it seems more luck of the draw (more so than with finding it on INTL flights) - but curious if I missed anything, FT RPU experts?
I'd like to use RPUs on, say, IAD/EWR-HNL, but those seems equally difficult even though there are more F seats than on the domestic mainline 737s and A319/320s. Browsing here, it seems more luck of the draw (more so than with finding it on INTL flights) - but curious if I missed anything, FT RPU experts?
Demand for F is the other factor, and the long haul -HNL flights are all difficult. To Hawaii, your best chance is the SFO or LAX connection, but even that isn't a sure bet.
Jan 31, 2019, 9:15 am
#705
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
No silver bullet tips, but you're better off comparing F/Y ratios when assessing your waitlist chances than you are counting the absolute number of F seats.
Demand for F is the other factor, and the long haul -HNL flights are all difficult. To Hawaii, your best chance is the SFO or LAX connection, but even that isn't a sure bet.
Demand for F is the other factor, and the long haul -HNL flights are all difficult. To Hawaii, your best chance is the SFO or LAX connection, but even that isn't a sure bet.