UA.com let me use an RPU on a flight to Asia?
Nov 15, 2016, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat
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UA.com let me use an RPU on a flight to Asia?
Having just made it to 1K, I excitedly went to united.com to use my new GPUs to upgrade to F for my upcoming trip from SFO to HKG.
Surprisingly, I was presented with a choice to use either a GPU or an RPU to upgrade. I chose the RPU, just to see what would happen, and, well:
Based on the upgrade eligibility chart, I'm pretty sure this should not work. Anyone know what's going on here?
(This will be my first flight in F. Glad I'll get the chance to sit in the nose of a 747 before they disappear!)
Surprisingly, I was presented with a choice to use either a GPU or an RPU to upgrade. I chose the RPU, just to see what would happen, and, well:
Based on the upgrade eligibility chart, I'm pretty sure this should not work. Anyone know what's going on here?
(This will be my first flight in F. Glad I'll get the chance to sit in the nose of a 747 before they disappear!)
Nov 15, 2016, 6:26 pm
#2
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Glitch is written all over this one. "United First" is not a class of service which is offered on SFO-HKG. What is the fare class on the issued coupon (if you actually bought this)? The problem with things like this is if/when they get caught you can really get stuck.
Nov 15, 2016, 6:37 pm
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat
Posts: 9
Given that this is in December, after the Dec. 1 intro date for Polaris branding/service, perhaps "United First" means "Polaris first class" (which is apparently how they will be branding GlobalFirst seats after Dec. 1)?
But given that I was able to use an RPU, I agree it seems like "United First" is part of the glitch. That's the brand name for domestic first, right?
Maybe I should call the 1K desk.
The fare class was originally J and now shows as ON.
But given that I was able to use an RPU, I agree it seems like "United First" is part of the glitch. That's the brand name for domestic first, right?
Maybe I should call the 1K desk.
The fare class was originally J and now shows as ON.
Last edited by jdfrench; Nov 15, 2016 at 6:39 pm Reason: Updating with fare class
Nov 15, 2016, 7:04 pm
#7
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There is a very good chance that (a) UA reads your post here and audits the flight, or (b) audits your ticket shortly prior to departure (which they now typically do with upgraded long-haul tix).
I don't think I would have taken the risk here. It may be a UA error, but that doesn't mean the passenger won't suffer if/when it's discovered (particularly since UA may feel the error was deliberately exploited).
I don't think I would have taken the risk here. It may be a UA error, but that doesn't mean the passenger won't suffer if/when it's discovered (particularly since UA may feel the error was deliberately exploited).
Nov 15, 2016, 7:07 pm
#8
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On the flip side, perhaps UA Insider will reach out to the OP and thank him/her for the bug report.
One can dream, right?
One can dream, right?
Nov 15, 2016, 7:17 pm
#11
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Join Date: Nov 2016
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There is a very good chance that (a) UA reads your post here and audits the flight, or (b) audits your ticket shortly prior to departure (which they now typically do with upgraded long-haul tix).
I don't think I would have taken the risk here. It may be a UA error, but that doesn't mean the passenger won't suffer if/when it's discovered (particularly since UA may feel the error was deliberately exploited).
I don't think I would have taken the risk here. It may be a UA error, but that doesn't mean the passenger won't suffer if/when it's discovered (particularly since UA may feel the error was deliberately exploited).
That said it was never my intention to defraud UA. My first step was to ask here if anyone knows of some obscure policy which is allowing this; my next step will be to call UA and explain what happened. I have the GPUs to cover this upgrade and am willing to spend them. A legitimate confirmed F seat in exchange for a GPU is better than a sketchy hope pinned on a website glitch for an RPU, IMO…
Nov 15, 2016, 7:20 pm
#12
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We don't know what's going on, they run promotions all the time, pricing fluctuates all the time, award sales, different amenities on different fare classes, who's to say they're not having a special on this route or certain dates and allowing upgrades for less than the "normal" price, if we even know what the "normal" price is.
Nov 15, 2016, 7:26 pm
#14
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That said, having spent a few hours around here, I would not be at all surprised if this were to wind up poorly for the passenger. The real risk is that they do an audit close to departure, when BF has booked full. Also, there's not just the issue with the RPU, there's the double-upgrade error as well. You should be aware that the SFO GFL agents have been known to conduct their own audits of pax who use the lounge, and gratuitously downgrade double-upgrade recipients (then kick them out of the lounge).