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]
Nov 9, 2018, 4:44 am
#2161
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington D.C. via Sao Paulo via Houston via Washington D.C. via Boston via New York
Posts: 1,172
I'm booked into confirmed M there is only waitlist available although there are buckets available J9/C9 etc...when I had a friend of mine try and apply a GPU they said it was only available on miles, that seems odd, has something changed where you can no longer apply a GPU to a waitlist?
Nov 9, 2018, 4:49 am
#2162
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
I'm booked into confirmed M there is only waitlist available although there are buckets available J9/C9 etc...when I had a friend of mine try and apply a GPU they said it was only available on miles, that seems odd, has something changed where you can no longer apply a GPU to a waitlist?
Nov 9, 2018, 4:56 am
#2163
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington D.C. via Sao Paulo via Houston via Washington D.C. via Boston via New York
Posts: 1,172
Nov 9, 2018, 5:35 am
#2164
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
Nov 9, 2018, 9:50 am
#2165
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: 3,614
I'm booked into confirmed M there is only waitlist available although there are buckets available J9/C9 etc...when I had a friend of mine try and apply a GPU they said it was only available on miles, that seems odd, has something changed where you can no longer apply a GPU to a waitlist?
Nov 9, 2018, 6:42 pm
#2166
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
Sorry if a similar question has been answered in this super long thread.
Husband and I are both 1K. I have requalified for 2019. He will requalify in late December.
We are planning flights for March and there is upgrade space open to confirm at booking.
All my GPUs expire in 2020 (from requalifying). Husband has GPUs that expire January 2019. I know he can extend 2 of them once he hits 100K in December.
Can i confirm the upgrade space with my 2020 GPUs, and then swap them out for his 2019 ones once they get extended? Will upgrade space have to be open at that time to pull my GPU and apply his?
Husband and I are both 1K. I have requalified for 2019. He will requalify in late December.
We are planning flights for March and there is upgrade space open to confirm at booking.
All my GPUs expire in 2020 (from requalifying). Husband has GPUs that expire January 2019. I know he can extend 2 of them once he hits 100K in December.
Can i confirm the upgrade space with my 2020 GPUs, and then swap them out for his 2019 ones once they get extended? Will upgrade space have to be open at that time to pull my GPU and apply his?
Nov 9, 2018, 9:48 pm
#2167
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,777
the real question is, will you be able to find a agent capable and willing to do this (if PZ space s not available).
Nov 11, 2018, 1:23 am
#2168
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
HTB.
Nov 12, 2018, 8:53 pm
#2170
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite (Lifetime Gold), United 1K
Posts: 128
For some reason I can't seem to be able to apply a GPU to my round trip flights to London from Pittsburgh:
PIT -> IAD (can apply), Class K
IAD -> LHR (cannot apply), Class K
LHR -> EWR (cannot apply), Class S
EWR -> PIT (can apply), Class S
They're showing up as United flights, not partners or anything. Booked using some merged ETF certificates, but otherwise I can't figure out why it will only let me apply to the short legs? Granted, I've never used a GPU before... there's no PZ space, but using them due to the amount of open first class seats currently.
**UPDATE**
Answered my own question, I didn't read the graph beforehand as I figured I'd have no problems applying them. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fare types, I just assumed buying a normal economy ticket would've been fine but apparently these were designated as discounted fares.
PIT -> IAD (can apply), Class K
IAD -> LHR (cannot apply), Class K
LHR -> EWR (cannot apply), Class S
EWR -> PIT (can apply), Class S
They're showing up as United flights, not partners or anything. Booked using some merged ETF certificates, but otherwise I can't figure out why it will only let me apply to the short legs? Granted, I've never used a GPU before... there's no PZ space, but using them due to the amount of open first class seats currently.
**UPDATE**
Answered my own question, I didn't read the graph beforehand as I figured I'd have no problems applying them. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fare types, I just assumed buying a normal economy ticket would've been fine but apparently these were designated as discounted fares.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 15, 2018 at 12:16 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Nov 12, 2018, 8:58 pm
#2171
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Answered my own question, I didn't read the graph beforehand as I figured I'd have no problems applying them. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fare types, I just assumed buying a normal economy ticket would've been fine but apparently these were designated as discounted fares.
Nov 12, 2018, 8:59 pm
#2172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
Answered my own question, I didn't read the graph beforehand as I figured I'd have no problems applying them. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fare types, I just assumed buying a normal economy ticket would've been fine but apparently these were designated as discounted fares.
If you wish to do that, be sure to check that PZ has inventory availability beforehand.
Nov 13, 2018, 1:21 am
#2173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I'm assuming that you are traveling on UA since it seems that GPUs can be used to upgrade P fares to First Class on LH.
I don't know if they still offer TODs for those seats at check-in or did those disappear when they stopped selling Polaris First?
Supposedly, UA was going to put a system where they would automatically move to those seats the passengers with high status having paid the highest fares but with a P fare I doubt that would happen and I don't know if they started doing that. There is still a slight chance if they have oversold Economy, then they would need to move some passengers from the Business seats to the First seats but I would assume that they would choose passengers having paid the highest fares.
So, let us know what happens when you check-in.
I don't know if they still offer TODs for those seats at check-in or did those disappear when they stopped selling Polaris First?
Supposedly, UA was going to put a system where they would automatically move to those seats the passengers with high status having paid the highest fares but with a P fare I doubt that would happen and I don't know if they started doing that. There is still a slight chance if they have oversold Economy, then they would need to move some passengers from the Business seats to the First seats but I would assume that they would choose passengers having paid the highest fares.
So, let us know what happens when you check-in.
I should also mention this was a very cheap P ticket. I think the IAD-FRA leg was about $700 PQD.
Nov 13, 2018, 4:07 am
#2174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,024
Earlier this year I booked a T fare on ORD-LHR and decided to upfare to W and got a refund of $8.65!
Nov 13, 2018, 4:53 am
#2175
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
About 10 days before my IAD-FRA flight I was checking my seat and found that the F cabin was open for selection! So I grabbed a row 1 seat. I'm 1K 1MM if that matters. It was a great flight and the service from the FA's was indeed first class, even if the meals were business class. It was quite a difference from previous Polaris business flights I've taken. I slept very well. That will probably be my last time in those seats. Unless UA decides in 5 or 10 years to bring back Intl F.
I should also mention this was a very cheap P ticket. I think the IAD-FRA leg was about $700 PQD.
I should also mention this was a very cheap P ticket. I think the IAD-FRA leg was about $700 PQD.
Good that you enjoyed it!