Jun 30, 2013, 7:39 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
General PlusPoints (was GPU) earning & usage questions [Consolidated]
Note: the term journey is used here to denote travel between a pair of cities, with one or more layovers, and all segments of the journey are part of the same ticket, confirmation number, and record locator. A one way ticket has one journey. A round trip has two journeys. A multicity ticket has three or more journeys.
Can I apply a GPU to UA metal that is ticketed on non-UA ticket stock?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19321483-post23.html says you can.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19324013-post25.html says not always.
Can I use a GPU on flights operated by other airlines?
Yes, Copa, LH and NH.
On Copa, the rules are the same as for flights operated by UA. It can't be done online, so you have to call. The regular Premier desk can't do it, though, even though Copa uses MP as its loyalty program--you'll need to call (or be transferred to) the Star Alliance Help Desk to complete the process. (And it's an involved process for the agents--they have to duplicate the Copa PNR in SHARES and issue you a separate UA PNR. Betwen *A Desk hold times--no priority for Premiers--and the hassle it is for the agents, plan on 30-45 minutes to get this done. It may be simpler if you booked your Copa tickets through United.) Note that an RPU works anywhere on Copa that a GPU works, so don't waste GPUs unnecessarily.
On LH, the process is completely different. You can use a GPU on LH operated fights only if printed for a specific flight of a specific reservation. See
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
I see GPUs for sale on Craigslist or eBay. May I buy them and use them?
We do not recommend this. If UA determines the GPU was sold, you risk having your M+ account terminated and loss of your miles, status, lifetime miles, etc.
If I have upgraded a flight with miles, cash, GPU, RPU, CPU, etc. from Y to J, may I upgrade to F with a GPU?
Policy does not allow this. However, once upgraded to business you may be offered a cash buy-up to F.
If I apply a GPU on a multi segment journey, what happens one or segments clear, and one or more do not?
The exact wording from united.com is:In most cases, the Global Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded or flown. However, for travel which includes segments in United BusinessFirst or United Global First, the Global Premier Upgrade will be re-deposited if the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded.
This has at least three interpretations when the journey consists of segments that have all lie flat seating, and one or more upgrades to BF or GF fails, but one or more upgrades to BF or GF succeeds. The first is that since the wording is not "if any United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded" the GPU is not redeposited. The second is that the GPU is redeposited, even if for example, ORD-NRT was upgraded, and NRT-SIN was not. The third is that if the longest segment was not upgraded to BF or GF, the GPU is redeposited. In practice, UA agents appear to follow the third interpretation.
UPDATE: The wording in the Mileage upgrade section is a bit clearer and probably also reflects the policy for GPUs.What is the refund policy for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards that do not clear the waitlist?
If you request an upgrade using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, and none of your travel segments are upgraded, then we will automatically redeposit your miles and co-pay. In most instances, a MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United BusinessFirst® and/or United Global FirstSM, and none of the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First® or United Business® on another segment. In these instances, we will fully redeposit your miles and co-pay. When applicable, these refunds will occur automatically seven to 10 days after travel.
Redeposits don't always happen automatically, and when you call, you might find agents are trained to follow the longest segment interpretation, whereby if the longest segment is upgraded, even if not BF or GF, then the GPU will not be deposited. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21138703-post394.html of push back and eventual capitulation by UA.
Can I add myself to the wait list within 24 hours of departure?
No, all you can do is attempt to apply the GPU periodically until it clears into upgrade inventory if any opens up. The 1K desk cannot put you on the wait list inside 24 hours because SHARES transfers the flight to airport control.
Do the fare class restrictions apply to domestic flights?
No, you can use a GPU on any fare on any domestic/ any CPU eligible flight.
Is there a maximum layover between segments of a journey?
Unclear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20453548-post221.html is an example of 38 hours, where the 1K desk applied it on behalf of the customer. What is interesting about this case is that 38 hours is well beyond a layover, which implies that in some cases, one GPU can be used for two journeys on the same ticket even if the two journeys are beyond 12 hours apart (12 hours being the pmUA rule – 4 hours for North American / “domestic” only flights).
How is the waitlist prioritized?
United.com details the process in the "Upgrade confirmation priority" section of this page.
For non-CPU flightsIf an upgrade seat becomes available, waitlisted customers are confirmed automatically based on the Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class, then time of request.
For CPU flights, GS and YBM fares will be handled before GPU/Miles/RPU users and finally CPU requests. Within these groups upgrades are prioritized based on Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class.
If not cleared until gate, it is believe the time factor is based on check-in time.
***On 4/15/15 travelers will no longer inherit the status of the redeeming account and will instead be prioritized by the status of the highest premier member on the PNR they are traveling on.
What is the relative waitlist priority of GPU vs Miles
Appears the use of GPU vs Miles has no impact on the waitlist priority.
May I cross two oceans with one GPU?
Yes if the entire journey is on one confirmation number and the max layover rule (above) is met.
Can I avoid upgrade lottery by booking only flights that have upgrade inventory?
Yes, see Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]. Note that you have to wait for the flight to ticket, by which time upgrade inventory can disappear. If so, cancel (within 24 hours of booking, so no penalty) and try again.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
No.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts before the GPU expires, and ends after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
Yes if the initial flight scheduled departure is prior to expiration.
Can I let someone else use my GPU?
Yes. They will be waitlisted prioritized based on your status until 4/15/2015 at which point they will be prioritized based on their own status (or lack thereof).
If I let someone else use my GPU, do I have to be on the same reservation, same journey and/or same flight?
No to all.
What happens if there are multiple pax on the same reservation confirmation number and the reservation is split; will the GPU(s) that is(are) waitlisted on one or more pax stay with the new reservation?
Yes.
Why do Non-Revs get assigned seats in First/Business instead of upgrading paying customers?
UA’s policy is paying customers have priority for upgrades. However, per UA’s employee benefit package, Non-Revs can have access to unassigned seats if there are no waitlisted paying customers. This Non-Rev benefit is part of the negotiated employee compensation.
General PlusPoints (was GPU) earning & usage questions [Consolidated]
Note: the term journey is used here to denote travel between a pair of cities, with one or more layovers, and all segments of the journey are part of the same ticket, confirmation number, and record locator. A one way ticket has one journey. A round trip has two journeys. A multicity ticket has three or more journeys.
Can I apply a GPU to UA metal that is ticketed on non-UA ticket stock?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19321483-post23.html says you can.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19324013-post25.html says not always.
Can I use a GPU on flights operated by other airlines?
Yes, Copa, LH and NH.
On Copa, the rules are the same as for flights operated by UA. It can't be done online, so you have to call. The regular Premier desk can't do it, though, even though Copa uses MP as its loyalty program--you'll need to call (or be transferred to) the Star Alliance Help Desk to complete the process. (And it's an involved process for the agents--they have to duplicate the Copa PNR in SHARES and issue you a separate UA PNR. Betwen *A Desk hold times--no priority for Premiers--and the hassle it is for the agents, plan on 30-45 minutes to get this done. It may be simpler if you booked your Copa tickets through United.) Note that an RPU works anywhere on Copa that a GPU works, so don't waste GPUs unnecessarily.
On LH, the process is completely different. You can use a GPU on LH operated fights only if printed for a specific flight of a specific reservation. See
Update to Lufthansa (LH) GPU Certificate Request Process
I see GPUs for sale on Craigslist or eBay. May I buy them and use them?
We do not recommend this. If UA determines the GPU was sold, you risk having your M+ account terminated and loss of your miles, status, lifetime miles, etc.
If I have upgraded a flight with miles, cash, GPU, RPU, CPU, etc. from Y to J, may I upgrade to F with a GPU?
Policy does not allow this. However, once upgraded to business you may be offered a cash buy-up to F.
If I apply a GPU on a multi segment journey, what happens one or segments clear, and one or more do not?
The exact wording from united.com is:In most cases, the Global Premier Upgrade will be considered used if any segment of an itinerary is upgraded or flown. However, for travel which includes segments in United BusinessFirst or United Global First, the Global Premier Upgrade will be re-deposited if the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded.
This has at least three interpretations when the journey consists of segments that have all lie flat seating, and one or more upgrades to BF or GF fails, but one or more upgrades to BF or GF succeeds. The first is that since the wording is not "if any United BusinessFirst or United Global First segment(s) could not be upgraded" the GPU is not redeposited. The second is that the GPU is redeposited, even if for example, ORD-NRT was upgraded, and NRT-SIN was not. The third is that if the longest segment was not upgraded to BF or GF, the GPU is redeposited. In practice, UA agents appear to follow the third interpretation.
UPDATE: The wording in the Mileage upgrade section is a bit clearer and probably also reflects the policy for GPUs.What is the refund policy for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards that do not clear the waitlist?
If you request an upgrade using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, and none of your travel segments are upgraded, then we will automatically redeposit your miles and co-pay. In most instances, a MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United BusinessFirst® and/or United Global FirstSM, and none of the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First® or United Business® on another segment. In these instances, we will fully redeposit your miles and co-pay. When applicable, these refunds will occur automatically seven to 10 days after travel.
Redeposits don't always happen automatically, and when you call, you might find agents are trained to follow the longest segment interpretation, whereby if the longest segment is upgraded, even if not BF or GF, then the GPU will not be deposited. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21138703-post394.html of push back and eventual capitulation by UA.
Can I add myself to the wait list within 24 hours of departure?
No, all you can do is attempt to apply the GPU periodically until it clears into upgrade inventory if any opens up. The 1K desk cannot put you on the wait list inside 24 hours because SHARES transfers the flight to airport control.
Do the fare class restrictions apply to domestic flights?
No, you can use a GPU on any fare on any domestic/ any CPU eligible flight.
Is there a maximum layover between segments of a journey?
Unclear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20453548-post221.html is an example of 38 hours, where the 1K desk applied it on behalf of the customer. What is interesting about this case is that 38 hours is well beyond a layover, which implies that in some cases, one GPU can be used for two journeys on the same ticket even if the two journeys are beyond 12 hours apart (12 hours being the pmUA rule – 4 hours for North American / “domestic” only flights).
How is the waitlist prioritized?
United.com details the process in the "Upgrade confirmation priority" section of this page.
For non-CPU flightsIf an upgrade seat becomes available, waitlisted customers are confirmed automatically based on the Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class, then time of request.
For CPU flights, GS and YBM fares will be handled before GPU/Miles/RPU users and finally CPU requests. Within these groups upgrades are prioritized based on Premier® status of the redeeming account***, then fare class.
If not cleared until gate, it is believe the time factor is based on check-in time.
***On 4/15/15 travelers will no longer inherit the status of the redeeming account and will instead be prioritized by the status of the highest premier member on the PNR they are traveling on.
What is the relative waitlist priority of GPU vs Miles
Appears the use of GPU vs Miles has no impact on the waitlist priority.
May I cross two oceans with one GPU?
Yes if the entire journey is on one confirmation number and the max layover rule (above) is met.
Can I avoid upgrade lottery by booking only flights that have upgrade inventory?
Yes, see Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]. Note that you have to wait for the flight to ticket, by which time upgrade inventory can disappear. If so, cancel (within 24 hours of booking, so no penalty) and try again.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
No.
My GPU is still valid, but my journey starts before the GPU expires, and ends after the GPU expires. Can I use the GPU for that journey?
Yes if the initial flight scheduled departure is prior to expiration.
Can I let someone else use my GPU?
Yes. They will be waitlisted prioritized based on your status until 4/15/2015 at which point they will be prioritized based on their own status (or lack thereof).
If I let someone else use my GPU, do I have to be on the same reservation, same journey and/or same flight?
No to all.
What happens if there are multiple pax on the same reservation confirmation number and the reservation is split; will the GPU(s) that is(are) waitlisted on one or more pax stay with the new reservation?
Yes.
Why do Non-Revs get assigned seats in First/Business instead of upgrading paying customers?
UA’s policy is paying customers have priority for upgrades. However, per UA’s employee benefit package, Non-Revs can have access to unassigned seats if there are no waitlisted paying customers. This Non-Rev benefit is part of the negotiated employee compensation.
Consolidated Global Premier Upgrade (GPU) Questions Thread [Archive]
Dec 11, 2017, 3:05 pm
#1846
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,462
Interesting experience last night, booked economy ORD-EWR-MAD for mid-January at about 11pm and immediately requested upgrade using GPU. Both segments were waitlisted. I had been watching PN inventory for the past 2 weeks on both legs and hadn't seen it above 0.
To my shock, at 3am got notification that EWR-MAD had cleared, and at 5am got notification that ORD-EWR cleared. What a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Sure enough, I checked this morning and PN inventory is still zero. Makes me think that UA or GS team is monitoring GS upgrade requests and clearing individually rather than letting computer do its normal process. Has anyone else (GS or not) had an experience like this one recently? Or maybe I just got lucky? Very pleased, well done United!
To my shock, at 3am got notification that EWR-MAD had cleared, and at 5am got notification that ORD-EWR cleared. What a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Sure enough, I checked this morning and PN inventory is still zero. Makes me think that UA or GS team is monitoring GS upgrade requests and clearing individually rather than letting computer do its normal process. Has anyone else (GS or not) had an experience like this one recently? Or maybe I just got lucky? Very pleased, well done United!
Dec 11, 2017, 3:10 pm
#1847
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: 3,620
While I agree I am not so sure that it is "better" for those who sit and watch for the elusive R space (or P) to open up and then book and upgrade. To me it makes upgrades even more of a crap shoot.
Dec 11, 2017, 3:16 pm
#1848
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,462
Dec 15, 2017, 8:02 am
#1849
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SFO/CDG
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 211
I'm planning a trip in January that I have to book through our company travel agent. it is a multi city ticket where all of the legs are currently selling W as the lowest economy fare. When I look at the ticket on the UA website searching for GPU upgrades though there is a fare difference of ~$50 from the economy ticket to the "upgrade eligible" fare. The leg is TLS-FRA-SFO. Any idea if this is just a typical UA website glitch or a legitimate fare difference?
Dec 15, 2017, 8:04 am
#1850
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,462
I'm planning a trip in January that I have to book through our company travel agent. it is a multi city ticket where all of the legs are currently selling W as the lowest economy fare. When I look at the ticket on the UA website searching for GPU upgrades though there is a fare difference of ~$50 from the economy ticket to the "upgrade eligible" fare. The leg is TLS-FRA-SFO. Any idea if this is just a typical UA website glitch or a legitimate fare difference?
Dec 15, 2017, 8:08 am
#1851
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SFO/CDG
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 211
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Both of these fares are on the UA web site. First column economy fare is ~$700 (W) and the "upgrade eligible fare" is ~$750 (W). FRA-SFO is on UA metal.
Dec 15, 2017, 9:29 am
#1852
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Interesting experience last night, booked economy ORD-EWR-MAD for mid-January at about 11pm and immediately requested upgrade using GPU. Both segments were waitlisted. I had been watching PN inventory for the past 2 weeks on both legs and hadn't seen it above 0.
To my shock, at 3am got notification that EWR-MAD had cleared, and at 5am got notification that ORD-EWR cleared. What a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Sure enough, I checked this morning and PN inventory is still zero. Makes me think that UA or GS team is monitoring GS upgrade requests and clearing individually rather than letting computer do its normal process. Has anyone else (GS or not) had an experience like this one recently? Or maybe I just got lucky? Very pleased, well done United!
To my shock, at 3am got notification that EWR-MAD had cleared, and at 5am got notification that ORD-EWR cleared. What a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Sure enough, I checked this morning and PN inventory is still zero. Makes me think that UA or GS team is monitoring GS upgrade requests and clearing individually rather than letting computer do its normal process. Has anyone else (GS or not) had an experience like this one recently? Or maybe I just got lucky? Very pleased, well done United!
Dec 15, 2017, 4:41 pm
#1853
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Washington DC Area
Posts: 364
Kind of a novice question here. If I have flight IAD->NRT->WUH, with IAD-NRT segment flying on UA metal and NRT-WUH segment flying on NH, both have UA flight numbers. Can I use one GPU for this? Thanks for the insight.
alextktan
alextktan
Dec 15, 2017, 4:55 pm
#1854
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
What's the general consensus on easy GPUs to clear? I can fly from either SFO or LAX. Looking to fly somewhere Saturday Jan 13 returning Monday Jan 15. Just looking to go anywhere.
Dec 15, 2017, 7:52 pm
#1856
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
Fri 1/13 doesn't look like a great option; I don't see any R inventory, and there's not even a lot of P or PN. Maybe people flying back home from CES? Mon 1/15, on the other hand, is wide open from Asia. I see availability to SFO from CTU, NRT, HND, TPE, ICN, KIX, and PEK, just at a quick glance.
Dec 15, 2017, 7:56 pm
#1857
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
There aren't really that many choices to try. Put them into search and see what comes up. Fri 1/13 doesn't look like a great option; I don't see any R inventory, and there's not even a lot of P or PN. Maybe people flying back home from CES? Mon 1/15, on the other hand, is wide open from Asia. I see availability to SFO from CTU, NRT, HND, TPE, ICN, KIX, and PEK, just at a quick glance.
Fri 1/13 doesn't look like a great option; I don't see any R inventory, and there's not even a lot of P or PN. Maybe people flying back home from CES? Mon 1/15, on the other hand, is wide open from Asia. I see availability to SFO from CTU, NRT, HND, TPE, ICN, KIX, and PEK, just at a quick glance.
Dec 15, 2017, 8:43 pm
#1858
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Dec 18, 2017, 4:10 pm
#1859
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NY
Programs: AA, KLM, United, Amex, Chase, Hilton
Posts: 265
I'm flying roundtrip LHR-PTY with a connection in EWR. The 1st leg (LHR-EWR-PTY) is in economy M and the 2nd leg (PTY-EWR-LHR) is in economy W. When I log into my reservation, I see a chance to upgrade to biz class the 1st leg for 20k miles +$300 and the 2nd leg for 20k miles and $550. On both legs, the LHR-EWR flights are showing that there a certain # of seats available in biz, however for both EWR-PTY flights, its showing as "waitlist." When I look at the seatmap on the EWR-PTY flights, I see plenty of seats in biz so I'm confused as to why is it showing as "waitlist." Does anyone know?
I would only consider upgrading the 1st leg bc the payment of $300 and 20k isn't so bad and they are long flights. However, I'm hesitating purchasing the upgrade if there's a chance that I will only benefit from the LHR-EWR flight, and not the EWR-PTY flight, since technically when I consider spending this money, its easier to accept when I think it would be for the entire leg, not just the first flight of that leg. As an FYI, I also have no status with United.
Also, a good friend of mine is a United 1K and has a GPU he wont be using by the date it expires in January so he mentioned giving it to me. Am I better off taking his upgrade (and possibly getting upgraded) or upgrading myself for 20k + $300 (which is guaranteed on at least the longer LHR-EWR flight)?
I would only consider upgrading the 1st leg bc the payment of $300 and 20k isn't so bad and they are long flights. However, I'm hesitating purchasing the upgrade if there's a chance that I will only benefit from the LHR-EWR flight, and not the EWR-PTY flight, since technically when I consider spending this money, its easier to accept when I think it would be for the entire leg, not just the first flight of that leg. As an FYI, I also have no status with United.
Also, a good friend of mine is a United 1K and has a GPU he wont be using by the date it expires in January so he mentioned giving it to me. Am I better off taking his upgrade (and possibly getting upgraded) or upgrading myself for 20k + $300 (which is guaranteed on at least the longer LHR-EWR flight)?
Last edited by MissMiles; Dec 18, 2017 at 4:15 pm
Dec 18, 2017, 9:06 pm
#1860
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
I'm flying roundtrip LHR-PTY with a connection in EWR. The 1st leg (LHR-EWR-PTY) is in economy M and the 2nd leg (PTY-EWR-LHR) is in economy W. When I log into my reservation, I see a chance to upgrade to biz class the 1st leg for 20k miles +$300 and the 2nd leg for 20k miles and $550. On both legs, the LHR-EWR flights are showing that there a certain # of seats available in biz, however for both EWR-PTY flights, its showing as "waitlist." When I look at the seatmap on the EWR-PTY flights, I see plenty of seats in biz so I'm confused as to why is it showing as "waitlist." Does anyone know?
Note that LHR-EWR/EWR-LHR will have lie-flat seats and international business class service, while EWR-PTY/PTY-EWR will be a recliner seat with lower service levels. So if you can confirm LHR-EWR right now, many people would consider that the important part. There are no guarantees the EWR-PTY segments will ever clear and a decent chance they will not.
Also, a good friend of mine is a United 1K and has a GPU he wont be using by the date it expires in January so he mentioned giving it to me. Am I better off taking his upgrade (and possibly getting upgraded) or upgrading myself for 20k + $300 (which is guaranteed on at least the longer LHR-EWR flight)?