With no Global First, what will GS do with GPU?
Nov 21, 2017, 5:59 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
As a GS, my #1 use of GPUs is to upgrade economy award tickets.
The award upgrade perk is a smart move by UA, as well, because it coerces us GS into staying loyal to UA metal (rather than explore *A carriers with business class award rates). It keeps us from getting wandering eyes.
Nov 21, 2017, 6:12 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Portland OR & Bangkok
Programs: United GS, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 662
1. Use it on LH from D, C, J -> O
2. Use it on NH from D, C, J -> O
Will go out of my way to buy NH over the Pacific and LH over the Atlantic and from BKK-Europe. Clearing on NH (2 out of 4) is much harder than on LH (9 out of 10 this year).
If NH is not possible, then will look for P or Z fares on UA - used to buy D minimum.
Will also try to buy 016 tickets (costs a bit more) to get the maximum RDMs and much easier to have GS Agents make changes if needed.
Any GPU/PRU left overs will be gifted. Already given away more than 20 RPUs this year.
2. Use it on NH from D, C, J -> O
Will go out of my way to buy NH over the Pacific and LH over the Atlantic and from BKK-Europe. Clearing on NH (2 out of 4) is much harder than on LH (9 out of 10 this year).
If NH is not possible, then will look for P or Z fares on UA - used to buy D minimum.
Will also try to buy 016 tickets (costs a bit more) to get the maximum RDMs and much easier to have GS Agents make changes if needed.
Any GPU/PRU left overs will be gifted. Already given away more than 20 RPUs this year.
Nov 21, 2017, 7:50 pm
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Why??Probably.
Me, too. But not in the direction you're thinking. You've already admitted that you gave up, well before Premium Economy showed up.
Nov 21, 2017, 7:53 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
In fact, now that I think of it, I've seen two air marshalls in FC of every 3 class 777 I've flown on recently. That's a lot of real estate to non-paying customers who aren't even employees. On the 747, it was a lot cheaper for United because they sat on the UD instead of FC. So the demise of the 747 may have actually figured into ending GF....
Last edited by porciuscato; Nov 21, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Nov 21, 2017, 8:23 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Also standby - Particularly with regards to getting E+ or better seating.....E+ I'm fine with - I haven't been in E- or a middle seat in years....my legs can't take E-.
Well more like possibly (~20%) but still don't like the possibility
I'm not sure how gaining 1K is equated to giving up? - currently however I get better value diversifying.
Well more like possibly (~20%) but still don't like the possibility
I'm not sure how gaining 1K is equated to giving up? - currently however I get better value diversifying.
Nov 21, 2017, 8:49 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Pretty sure this all but sums it up.
The "First Class" employees are often the only ones to ride in international FC -- along with FAMs. On both of last two 777s I was on, the 6 FC seats were occupied by 4 non-revs and 2 air marshals.
In fact, now that I think of it, I've seen two air marshalls in FC of every 3 class 777 I've flown on recently. That's a lot of real estate to non-paying customers who aren't even employees. On the 747, it was a lot cheaper for United because they sat on the UD instead of FC. So the demise of the 747 may have actually figured into ending GF....
In fact, now that I think of it, I've seen two air marshalls in FC of every 3 class 777 I've flown on recently. That's a lot of real estate to non-paying customers who aren't even employees. On the 747, it was a lot cheaper for United because they sat on the UD instead of FC. So the demise of the 747 may have actually figured into ending GF....
Last edited by tuolumne; Nov 21, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Nov 22, 2017, 12:19 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
I know someone who owned their own KingAir 350 from new, then sold it for a new Embraer Phenom 300. When talking to him about a vacation trip to Europe he asked my thoughts on the various airlines, assuming he was flying F I gave him my opinion. He looked a bit sheepish when he said he was probably going VS Premium Economy, maybe Economy on VS if there was a large price difference 
Although maybe he paid for the VS PE tickets with Amex points from flying the Phenom.
Nov 22, 2017, 1:01 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ZRH/LUX/LON
Programs: BA GGL/ VS Gold. Former: UA 1K (10 years+) , EY partners Plat, SQ PPS Club, SU Gold, LH SEN/HON
Posts: 770
Use it to fly LH or NH F. UA MP treats this favorably since its essentially a JV
Nov 22, 2017, 1:46 am
#39
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
1. Fly all Full fare Y.
2. Purchase a PassPlus thingie for $50k. A small business owner who does lots of last minute travel would be a good candidate for this whilst still booking Y.
Nov 22, 2017, 7:23 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
) homes and other places for fun.To me it just was slightly ironic that I was sitting on this $8m plane and talking about him flying cheap seats commercially whereas I probably earn the same in a year as he does in 2 weeks and yet I can personally justify paid FC internationally.
Nov 22, 2017, 7:30 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
This is not good advice if you want to keep GS, as these paid fares will not count toward requalification. However, if you are safely GS already by UA metal spend, then presumably you also have quite a few GPUs that could indeed be used if you want to fly LH or NH F, but nothing about the MileagePlus program treating these programs favorably should steer you toward that decision.
Nov 22, 2017, 12:26 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Nov 22, 2017, 12:56 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Nov 22, 2017, 1:27 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487