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 3, 2016, 8:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K - Hilton Gold - Marriott Gold
Posts: 10
General RPU earning & usage questions [Consolidated 2016 onward]
New here, so sorry if I failed at searching, but was unable to find my answer. I hit Plat for 2015 and got my 2 RPUs (expiring 1/2016) so i used one in Aug and then one in Dec *after* hitting Plat for 2016 
, so I had 3 RPUs in my account. After using the 2nd one, now my account shows 1 RPU expiring 1/2016 and 1 expiring 1/2017. Was I supposed to manually select the older RPU? Why would it take one of the new ones when I had one expiring?
, so I had 3 RPUs in my account. After using the 2nd one, now my account shows 1 RPU expiring 1/2016 and 1 expiring 1/2017. Was I supposed to manually select the older RPU? Why would it take one of the new ones when I had one expiring?
Jan 3, 2016, 9:00 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
If flight is after 1/31/2016, will use newer one
Jan 3, 2016, 9:56 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
If your flight is before 4/30, you can call the MileagePlus Service Center and request then to have the RPU expiring on 1/31/2016 applied to the new reservation. There are reports that UA is extending unused RPUs/GPUs.
Jan 3, 2016, 10:19 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
Only unused GPU. No RPU.n From what I was told by MP service director there is no option in the system wherby MP agents can extend RPU. I typically have 4+ RPU expiring every Jan & MP agents have never been able to extend my RPU. GPU yes.
Jan 3, 2016, 1:19 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K - Hilton Gold - Marriott Gold
Posts: 10
New here, so sorry if I failed at searching, but was unable to find my answer. I hit Plat for 2015 and got my 2 RPUs (expiring 1/2016) so i used one in Aug and then one in Dec *after* hitting Plat for 2016 , so I had 3 RPUs in my account. After using the 2nd one, now my account shows 1 RPU expiring 1/2016 and 1 expiring 1/2017. Was I supposed to manually select the older RPU? Why would it take one of the new ones when I had one expiring?
, so I had 3 RPUs in my account. After using the 2nd one, now my account shows 1 RPU expiring 1/2016 and 1 expiring 1/2017. Was I supposed to manually select the older RPU? Why would it take one of the new ones when I had one expiring?
Jan 9, 2016, 5:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: MSP/ORD
Programs: UA 1MM/GS, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 318
Newbie RPU question
Just made Platinum and hence received my first RPUs. From what I read on here they aren't very useful, but I have a potential use in mind and wanted some advice:
I'm planning a future trip involving an EDI-ORD leg where I would buy an award ticket in BusinessFirst for my travel companion, and I would buy my ticket myself. In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU, in lieu of buying (say) a more expensive P fare? If that's true in theory, how would I tell in practice whether this is going to work before I buy the ticket? Or put differently - if I buy the B fare and the RPU doesn't clear, is there a way to buy-up to P so my companion and I don't end up in different cabins?
(Apologies for being somewhat naïve about these matters - almost all my travel is domestic on discount coach fares, so these issues haven't come up before.)
I'm planning a future trip involving an EDI-ORD leg where I would buy an award ticket in BusinessFirst for my travel companion, and I would buy my ticket myself. In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU, in lieu of buying (say) a more expensive P fare? If that's true in theory, how would I tell in practice whether this is going to work before I buy the ticket? Or put differently - if I buy the B fare and the RPU doesn't clear, is there a way to buy-up to P so my companion and I don't end up in different cabins?
(Apologies for being somewhat naïve about these matters - almost all my travel is domestic on discount coach fares, so these issues haven't come up before.)
Jan 9, 2016, 5:31 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Some find useful, others not. I find them useful and have always been able to use them.
As you are looking at an international leg you can not use an RPU. They are for North America and a couple other select routes. You would need a GPU for that.
As you are looking at an international leg you can not use an RPU. They are for North America and a couple other select routes. You would need a GPU for that.
Jan 9, 2016, 7:05 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
Just made Platinum and hence received my first RPUs....I'm planning a future trip involving an EDI-ORD leg where I would buy an award ticket in BusinessFirst for my travel companion, and I would buy my ticket myself. In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU...
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...gupgrades.aspx
Jan 9, 2016, 7:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,662
Just made Platinum and hence received my first RPUs. From what I read on here they aren't very useful, but I have a potential use in mind and wanted some advice:
I'm planning a future trip involving an EDI-ORD leg where I would buy an award ticket in BusinessFirst for my travel companion, and I would buy my ticket myself. In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU, in lieu of buying (say) a more expensive P fare? If that's true in theory, how would I tell in practice whether this is going to work before I buy the ticket? Or put differently - if I buy the B fare and the RPU doesn't clear, is there a way to buy-up to P so my companion and I don't end up in different cabins?
(Apologies for being somewhat naïve about these matters - almost all my travel is domestic on discount coach fares, so these issues haven't come up before.)
I'm planning a future trip involving an EDI-ORD leg where I would buy an award ticket in BusinessFirst for my travel companion, and I would buy my ticket myself. In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU, in lieu of buying (say) a more expensive P fare? If that's true in theory, how would I tell in practice whether this is going to work before I buy the ticket? Or put differently - if I buy the B fare and the RPU doesn't clear, is there a way to buy-up to P so my companion and I don't end up in different cabins?
(Apologies for being somewhat naïve about these matters - almost all my travel is domestic on discount coach fares, so these issues haven't come up before.)
Jan 9, 2016, 7:21 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,477
In theory, could I buy (say) a B fare and apply an RPU, in lieu of buying (say) a more expensive P fare? If that's true in theory, how would I tell in practice whether this is going to work before I buy the ticket? Or put differently - if I buy the B fare and the RPU doesn't clear, is there a way to buy-up to P so my companion and I don't end up in different cabins?
You could also upfare a B (or any economy fare) to a business class ticket, likely with no change fee, paying only the fare differential (which is probably not much to a P on that route). There's no guaranty of discount business class fare availability as you get closer to departure, however, and if you have to buy a J, C, or D it could be expensive.
Jan 9, 2016, 8:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: UA-GS, Hyatt-Defiantly Diamond, Marriott-Platinum, SPG-Platinum
Posts: 499
Perhaps I was unclear: I had 2 RPUs expiring 1/2016, used two in 2015, reached Plat for two more RPUs (actually 1K, but those RPUs/GPUs haven't hit yet), now I have two RPUs, one expiring this month, and another next year. I would have assumed that redeeming RPU would use the oldest (i.e., closest to expiring) before one of the new ones.
Jan 9, 2016, 8:35 pm
#12
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Now isn't there a process to withdraw an RPU? Then you could apply the expiring one. I'm assuming you have to call in - I've never done it.
Jan 11, 2016, 7:57 am
#13
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
sorry to ask this
But I'm sure that someone will know the answer quickly.
I (1K) am using two RPUs to upgrade biz partner and his wife (neither one has any status). This is currently waitlisted. I assume that if two seats open up in advance that instrument upgrades will clear before elite CPUs. Is it the same situation day of flight at the gate? Thanks!
I (1K) am using two RPUs to upgrade biz partner and his wife (neither one has any status). This is currently waitlisted. I assume that if two seats open up in advance that instrument upgrades will clear before elite CPUs. Is it the same situation day of flight at the gate? Thanks!
Jan 11, 2016, 10:17 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kaiserslautern
Programs: UA G 1.9MM, HH Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 439
But I'm sure that someone will know the answer quickly.
I (1K) am using two RPUs to upgrade biz partner and his wife (neither one has any status). This is currently waitlisted. I assume that if two seats open up in advance that instrument upgrades will clear before elite CPUs. Is it the same situation day of flight at the gate? Thanks!
I (1K) am using two RPUs to upgrade biz partner and his wife (neither one has any status). This is currently waitlisted. I assume that if two seats open up in advance that instrument upgrades will clear before elite CPUs. Is it the same situation day of flight at the gate? Thanks!
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.
Jan 11, 2016, 10:27 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
It's been a while since I had RPUs expiring on 2 different dates, but IIRC it gave me a choice on which one to click. Even though I am pretty good with the mouse I was sweating until I was sure it was the older one.
Now isn't there a process to withdraw an RPU? Then you could apply the expiring one. I'm assuming you have to call in - I've never done it.
Now isn't there a process to withdraw an RPU? Then you could apply the expiring one. I'm assuming you have to call in - I've never done it.