omriba

Hi,
I'm flying from BOS to SFO in december with my wife, we got cheap economy tickets, and I wanted to ask, is it possible to buy at RPU, to get upgraded to the lay-flat business class?

what are the odds of clearing?
I have a united silver status currently, and should earn my gold half way through the trip.

Hipplewm

First and foremost, buying a RPU is against the rules of your ticket, the mileage Plus program and will possibly get your ticket cancelled, your MP account suspended and generally you have a bad day.

I am almost certain it is against the terms of this forum and website as well.

Two Bee

Besides, BOS-SFO (either way) is very difficult to get upgrades even using an RPU. I've tried 5 times this year as a 1K and have never turned left at the door yet!

tryathlete

Dont think it’s legit to discuss this inside of FT outside of the. Coupon Connection (which you can qualify for with legit activity)—- that being said, if you were to obtain a gift of 2 RPU’s from a GS or 1K high ranking elite, even with your low fare class, unless the flight is lightly loaded, you’ll probably still be in Y.

Upgrades ES are a tough thing these days as UA has strong monetization goals—selling many UG at check in to anyone with a few buck taking these seats.

escapefromphl

You can buy anything on Ebay
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...d+rpu&_sacat=0

No one knows this.

PsiFighter37

Bad idea. I wouldn't do this.

eng3

Definitely don't buy or attempt to buy. The rule is poorly advertised but the punishment can be extremely severe. However, you can be given an RPU.

Best bet, if you have friends that are Platinum, 1K, GS, then they probably have RPUs. Many 1K, GS, travel primarily international so they will often have extra RPU that go unused every year. Especially later in the year, these people are typically more willing to give away RPUs since they know they wont use them and UA will not extend them. Ask around to one of them if they are willing to give you one. Or more accurately, apply one of their RPUs to your reservation.

The closest thing you can do to buying an RPU would be buying award miles (assuming you dont have enough already) and then applying a mileage award upgrade request. They are prioritized the same as RPUs.

Like others have said, PS flights are impossible to upgrade usually unless they happen to sub in an intl plane with lots of J seats.

Also, you can keep checking online and at the kiosk for upgrade offers, maybe you'll get a TOD offer.

Ocn Vw 1K

In older days, United did allow elite customers to purchase some upgrade certificates (so-called 500-mile upgrade certs) through their official channels. It no longer offers these. However, United regularly monitors sites which act as conduits for the sale or barter of upgrades or miles and will take action against buyers (cancelling upgrades or their M+ accounts) or sellers (cancelling their accounts).

findark

Buy the TOD at booking. Both more legal and much more reliable. Or just buy the $5xx P fare.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Don't do it. If caught, your tickets will be cancelled, you won't be Silver any more, your miles will be gone. You'll be zero way to Gold, and your account will be closed.

hoshattack

This. Why would you spend money for a (very) poor chance? Just use the money for a P/Z fare.

Jimmie Jet

Even with the RPU in hand you will have a tough time , if any seats are left they would more than likely get bought at the gate before making it to the RPU or CPU bucket

Big risk, buying a RPU, little reward on your segment

JHake10

I applied RPUs to SFO-PHL and PHL-SFO every week for 7 months and it cleared twice. This flight isn't even marketed as PS. Good luck with that.