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, 2018, 4:28 pm
#2206
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 204
I booked IAD-IAH-SYD, Dec 30th with GPU. IAD-IAH was PZ0, but IAH-SYD was PZ4. I was hoping IAH-SYD would clear right away and IAD-IAH would waitlist. Any idea when can I expect it to clear? Do they run a sweep every 24 hrs or something like that? FWIW, I booked using Advanced menu and upgrade method as GPU. Currently, I show waitlisted on both segments.
Fare Class: H
Fare Class: H
Dec 11, 2018, 4:46 pm
#2207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
I booked IAD-IAH-SYD, Dec 30th with GPU. IAD-IAH was PZ0, but IAH-SYD was PZ4. I was hoping IAH-SYD would clear right away and IAD-IAH would waitlist. Any idea when can I expect it to clear? Do they run a sweep every 24 hrs or something like that? FWIW, I booked using Advanced menu and upgrade method as GPU. Currently, I show waitlisted on both segments.
Fare Class: H
Fare Class: H
Dec 11, 2018, 4:58 pm
#2208
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
When I booked flights that should have cleared right away, I ended up calling and asking about it. Agent said it was odd they had not cleared and he took care of it for the segment I was more interested in (LAX - NRT in my case). I used advanced and the flight I picked said upgrade was available and not waitlisted for the segment I cared about. The short segment (SAN - LAX) was waitlisted and it eventually cleared by the time we were about to depart.
Dec 11, 2018, 5:16 pm
#2209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
They seem no better or worse than they were when I was Gold or Platinum; mostly helpful, sometimes not. The only consistent thing about United is inconsistency.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:25 pm
#2210
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
Will a flight departing US on 30th December, but landing Australia on 1st January, earn PQMs in 2018 or 2019?
Dec 11, 2018, 9:27 pm
#2211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,354
2018.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:34 pm
#2212
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
$300 is lowest price I've seen on that route. Maybe $289. If it's lie-flat, I'd take it. UA drops price to $289 within few hours of check-in right up to 2nd to last seat. When 1 seat is remaining, price jumps up to $749 and then $2499 sometimes. Within 24 hrs, people from 737 SDC to lie-flats as fare buckets open up. Mixture of factors constrain the CPU success rate on this route.
Dec 12, 2018, 10:33 am
#2213
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
$300 is lowest price I've seen on that route. Maybe $289. If it's lie-flat, I'd take it. UA drops price to $289 within few hours of check-in right up to 2nd to last seat. When 1 seat is remaining, price jumps up to $749 and then $2499 sometimes. Within 24 hrs, people from 737 SDC to lie-flats as fare buckets open up. Mixture of factors constrain the CPU success rate on this route.
Dec 15, 2018, 8:12 pm
#2214
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: IAD, DEL, IXC, BWI, DCA, YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Amex Plat, UA Club Card, National EE, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 275
Dec 15, 2018, 8:20 pm
#2215
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Dec 15, 2018, 8:22 pm
#2216
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: 66,767
Dec 16, 2018, 1:49 am
#2217
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,214
So I had applied two GPUs successfully to a reservation but only the TPAC legs upgraded, not the domestic legs which is fine by me. I was able to upgrade as soon as the reservation ticketed and I chose the flights with PZ availability. The reservation then had a note that I needed to call in to get the ticker reissued - no change in flights or anything. Took the CS agent on the 1K desk over 20 minutes to get it to work. I have another flight where I had applied the upgrade to a PE reservation and this also needed to be cleaned up but this was due to a 10 minute schedule change - GPU applied for the flights but the upgrade has not come through.
I have other flights where I have applied my GPUs and not one of them has taken (1 GPU from last year and 4 from this year). One of the flights was PE but I booked in Y (W fare) and I have applied for the J upgrade only (bypassing the PE) as if the upgrade to J does not happen do not want to waste the GPU. I am interested to know of any experiences where someone has been successful with the upgrade to Polaris and bypassed the PE option.
I have other flights where I have applied my GPUs and not one of them has taken (1 GPU from last year and 4 from this year). One of the flights was PE but I booked in Y (W fare) and I have applied for the J upgrade only (bypassing the PE) as if the upgrade to J does not happen do not want to waste the GPU. I am interested to know of any experiences where someone has been successful with the upgrade to Polaris and bypassed the PE option.
Dec 16, 2018, 6:12 am
#2218
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, 6C AMB, HH Silver
Posts: 238
Earn GPU with miles accelerator purchased PQM?
Do mileage accelerator purchased PQMs count towards RPU/GPU “next milestone” rewards? I’ve hit 145,000 this year and have a short trip coming up. Seems a shame to leave two RPUs and 2 GPUs “on the table”...
Thanks,
Thanks,
Dec 16, 2018, 8:08 am
#2219
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,968
So I had applied two GPUs successfully to a reservation but only the TPAC legs upgraded, not the domestic legs which is fine by me. I was able to upgrade as soon as the reservation ticketed and I chose the flights with PZ availability. The reservation then had a note that I needed to call in to get the ticker reissued - no change in flights or anything.
Dec 16, 2018, 9:40 am
#2220
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,448
So I had applied two GPUs successfully to a reservation but only the TPAC legs upgraded, not the domestic legs which is fine by me. I was able to upgrade as soon as the reservation ticketed and I chose the flights with PZ availability. The reservation then had a note that I needed to call in to get the ticker reissued - no change in flights or anything. Took the CS agent on the 1K desk over 20 minutes to get it to work. I have another flight where I had applied the upgrade to a PE reservation and this also needed to be cleaned up but this was due to a 10 minute schedule change - GPU applied for the flights but the upgrade has not come through.
I have other flights where I have applied my GPUs and not one of them has taken (1 GPU from last year and 4 from this year). One of the flights was PE but I booked in Y (W fare) and I have applied for the J upgrade only (bypassing the PE) as if the upgrade to J does not happen do not want to waste the GPU. I am interested to know of any experiences where someone has been successful with the upgrade to Polaris and bypassed the PE option.
I have other flights where I have applied my GPUs and not one of them has taken (1 GPU from last year and 4 from this year). One of the flights was PE but I booked in Y (W fare) and I have applied for the J upgrade only (bypassing the PE) as if the upgrade to J does not happen do not want to waste the GPU. I am interested to know of any experiences where someone has been successful with the upgrade to Polaris and bypassed the PE option.
I have no experience with the second, so I can't answer that. However, I have done two reservations with GPU upgrades clearing to Polaris (PZ avail.) since P+ sales went live. In both cases I got the ticket-out-of-sync message, but I decided to let it sit, rather than call, since the reservations are several months away. In both cases after about two days the message went away and everything seems to be fine. So unless the flights are within a few days, I think there's no need to spend time having manual cleaning of the reservation when that happens.
Last edited by fumje; Dec 16, 2018 at 11:17 am Reason: typo
