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]
)
shhh...
Sep 13, 2018, 10:41 am
#2088
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,156
If a friend truly gives* you one that's OK but anything that could be remotely construed as "buying" or "selling" can get the water boiling so tread carefully. Especially don't go looking for "friends" who will "give" you a GPU in exchange for buying their 'travel advice' on eBay.
[Based on some of the horror stories, for example, my wife is the only one who's been on the receiving end of GPU/RPU gifts from my account]
*- "Gives" is a little bit of a misnomer, IMO because it's not like the GPU is unconditionally transferred and shows up in your account to be used. Instead the "giver" either pulls up the reservation on united.com while logged into their account (that has GPUs available) or calls reservations and authenticates their account and applies it to the reservation, but that's a bit into the minutiae.
[Based on some of the horror stories, for example, my wife is the only one who's been on the receiving end of GPU/RPU gifts from my account]
*- "Gives" is a little bit of a misnomer, IMO because it's not like the GPU is unconditionally transferred and shows up in your account to be used. Instead the "giver" either pulls up the reservation on united.com while logged into their account (that has GPUs available) or calls reservations and authenticates their account and applies it to the reservation, but that's a bit into the minutiae.
Sep 13, 2018, 10:44 am
#2089
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Mileage Plus - Executive Club
Posts: 50
If a friend truly gives* you one that's OK but anything that could be remotely construed as "buying" or "selling" can get the water boiling so tread carefully. Especially don't go looking for "friends" who will "give" you a GPU in exchange for buying their 'travel advice' on eBay.
[Based on some of the horror stories, for example, my wife is the only one who's been on the receiving end of GPU/RPU gifts from my account]
*- "Gives" is a little bit of a misnomer, IMO because it's not like the GPU is unconditionally transferred and shows up in your account to be used. Instead the "giver" either pulls up the reservation on united.com while logged into their account (that has GPUs available) or calls reservations and authenticates their account and applies it to the reservation, but that's a bit into the minutiae.
[Based on some of the horror stories, for example, my wife is the only one who's been on the receiving end of GPU/RPU gifts from my account]
*- "Gives" is a little bit of a misnomer, IMO because it's not like the GPU is unconditionally transferred and shows up in your account to be used. Instead the "giver" either pulls up the reservation on united.com while logged into their account (that has GPUs available) or calls reservations and authenticates their account and applies it to the reservation, but that's a bit into the minutiae.
Sep 13, 2018, 1:56 pm
#2090
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: 3,617
FWIW, I assume you know that unless you see immediate R space and your friend acts fast you are still wait-listed. I have gifted them to friends and family numerous times and have rarely had them clear. Without exaggeration perhaps 2 out of the last 10 I have tried to gift have cleared. Admittedly most had little to no status with UA.
Oct 3, 2018, 8:58 am
#2091
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
Using GPUs on family members
I did a quick search but couldn't find a thread with instructions. I literally JUST made 1K last Friday on my return from Australia so now have GPUs and RPUs. Never had either but it comes at a convenient time as my mother has decided the extended family is taking a vacation in Portugal next June. I'd like to use my GPUs on her and my siblings but don't know how that works, especially since they'll be booking their airfares from Hawaii and I'm here on the mainland.
Do I need to be talking to their travel agent as they book their fares so I can pass codes? What are the chances they book upgradeable fares but PN closes before I can apply them?
Is there something else I can do (or relay instructions to them and their travel agent) to improve the odds of the GPUs executing?
Do I need to be talking to their travel agent as they book their fares so I can pass codes? What are the chances they book upgradeable fares but PN closes before I can apply them?
Is there something else I can do (or relay instructions to them and their travel agent) to improve the odds of the GPUs executing?
Oct 3, 2018, 9:24 am
#2092
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
I did a quick search but couldn't find a thread with instructions. I literally JUST made 1K last Friday on my return from Australia so now have GPUs and RPUs. Never had either but it comes at a convenient time as my mother has decided the extended family is taking a vacation in Portugal next June. I'd like to use my GPUs on her and my siblings but don't know how that works, especially since they'll be booking their airfares from Hawaii and I'm here on the mainland.
Do I need to be talking to their travel agent as they book their fares so I can pass codes? What are the chances they book upgradeable fares but PN closes before I can apply them?
Is there something else I can do (or relay instructions to them and their travel agent) to improve the odds of the GPUs executing?
Do I need to be talking to their travel agent as they book their fares so I can pass codes? What are the chances they book upgradeable fares but PN closes before I can apply them?
Is there something else I can do (or relay instructions to them and their travel agent) to improve the odds of the GPUs executing?
its fairly straight forward applying the upgrades. They need to be booked at least in W class, and you are looking for R, not PN, for confirmable upgrade space. Keep in mind that The online booking engine requires you to look at each segment to ensure the upgrade space is there. Hawaii-mainland-Europe might show zero space, but mainland-Europe might show positive space.
Oct 3, 2018, 9:31 am
#2093
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Oct 3, 2018, 11:18 pm
#2094
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
its fairly straight forward applying the upgrades. They need to be booked at least in W class, and you are looking for R, not PN, for confirmable upgrade space. Keep in mind that The online booking engine requires you to look at each segment to ensure the upgrade space is there. Hawaii-mainland-Europe might show zero space, but mainland-Europe might show positive space.
Oct 3, 2018, 11:25 pm
#2095
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Thanks. I presume I have to apply the instruments from my account so what's the procedure, their agent books W-class (or better) tickets, passes me the ticket numbers, then I go online and ... somehow pull up their tickets to apply the instruments? Call in to UA? Maybe I just need to call the 1K desk and ask them to walk me through the procedure?
Oct 3, 2018, 11:40 pm
#2096
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Israel
Posts: 17
Upgrade strategy question:
I'm a 1K booked through a United reservation on an LX ZRH-ERW flight in T-12 hours U Class. There is another UA flight ZRH-ERW in T-28 hours, which has R-Class available which I prefer to take.
Is there any option that I can get on that second flight on business without paying the 600$ changes? Basically in three hours i can change into the latter for free, but then can't use GPU to upgrade. And now I can't submit an upgrade request because it's an LX flight - I think?
I'm a 1K booked through a United reservation on an LX ZRH-ERW flight in T-12 hours U Class. There is another UA flight ZRH-ERW in T-28 hours, which has R-Class available which I prefer to take.
Is there any option that I can get on that second flight on business without paying the 600$ changes? Basically in three hours i can change into the latter for free, but then can't use GPU to upgrade. And now I can't submit an upgrade request because it's an LX flight - I think?
Oct 3, 2018, 11:49 pm
#2097
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Upgrade strategy question:
I'm a 1K booked through a United reservation on an LX ZRH-ERW flight in T-12 hours U Class. There is another UA flight ZRH-ERW in T-28 hours, which has R-Class available which I prefer to take.
Is there any option that I can get on that second flight on business without paying the 600$ changes? Basically in three hours i can change into the latter for free, but then can't use GPU to upgrade. And now I can't submit an upgrade request because it's an LX flight - I think?
I'm a 1K booked through a United reservation on an LX ZRH-ERW flight in T-12 hours U Class. There is another UA flight ZRH-ERW in T-28 hours, which has R-Class available which I prefer to take.
Is there any option that I can get on that second flight on business without paying the 600$ changes? Basically in three hours i can change into the latter for free, but then can't use GPU to upgrade. And now I can't submit an upgrade request because it's an LX flight - I think?
And, you're right; there's no way to upgrade an LX-operated U fare with UA miles or instruments.
Oct 10, 2018, 3:13 pm
#2098
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
Hi all, read the wiki and have a question re: expiring GPU's. If I want to book a flight in March 2019 for some family to travel in Feb 2020, and apply GPU's at booking into (hopefully) open R space, does this mean I can technically not use them because the GPU's expire 1/31/2020, even if there happened to be open space available that I can confirm at ticketing?
Long story short, trying to figure out how to book them on a longhaul flight using my GPU's but now I'm wondering if I would have to wait until I qualify for new GPU's next year, which I'm not sure will happen due to a change in work travel.
Long story short, trying to figure out how to book them on a longhaul flight using my GPU's but now I'm wondering if I would have to wait until I qualify for new GPU's next year, which I'm not sure will happen due to a change in work travel.
Oct 10, 2018, 3:19 pm
#2099
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Hi all, read the wiki and have a question re: expiring GPU's. If I want to book a flight in March 2019 for some family to travel in Feb 2020, and apply GPU's at booking into (hopefully) open R space, does this mean I can technically not use them because the GPU's expire 1/31/2020, even if there happened to be open space available that I can confirm at ticketing?
Oct 10, 2018, 3:22 pm
#2100
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673