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With no Global First, what will GS do with GPU?

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With no Global First, what will GS do with GPU?

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Old Nov 21, 2017, 8:24 am
  #1  
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With no Global First, what will GS do with GPU?

What Good are GPU for folks that already buy up to C like many GS with the elimination of F?

Worse than that—will this drive some GS to book Y and use GPU for UG to C?

Curious what others might think. Mods—if there’s a thread already feel free to move of course!
tryathlete is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 8:30 am
  #2  
 
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Originally Posted by tryathlete
Worse than that—will this drive some GS to book Y and use GPU for UG to C?
@:-)
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kevanyalowitz is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 8:41 am
  #3  
 
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I have used a GPU to upgrade to Global First maybe three times ever. As a GS, my #1 use of GPUs is to upgrade economy award tickets.
trooper, Two Bee and RobOnLI like this.
villox is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 8:53 am
  #4  
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Use for personal travel, for traveling companions.
Gifting to friends and family.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 9:16 am
  #5  
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Originally Posted by PTahCha
Use for personal travel, for traveling companions.
Gifting to friends and family.
+1. That is how I use my GPUs every year for the past ten years. I don’t often upgrade myself from C to F unless I am stuck in one of those middle seats in the s/UA 2-4-2 business cabin.

Last edited by UA_Flyer; Nov 21, 2017 at 9:29 am
UA_Flyer is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 9:36 am
  #6  
 
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Good question. United gave away its flag carrier pole to American, who still runs 3-cabin on A321T and 77W.

The halo effect of F is huge, but UA under Smisek didn't want to compete, nor invest more money to split what we now know as the Polaris lounges between an F and C section. It's trickled out that Smisek begrudgingly even spent the amount on Polaris business he did, so imagine his team ever going towards a 3-cabin (4-cabin with PE) - Never.

And now it's too late. Sad. United is a first class airline with first class employees (something a smart mind wrote at the 747 farrewell party signature card wall). They have a first class fleet and a first class network. They should have an international First Class.
tuolumne is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 9:49 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Originally Posted by tuolumne

And now it's too late. Sad. United is a first class airline with first class employees.
t
I think somewhere in the mists of time that may have been, not in my 15 years with UA though (not long I know)
Somewhere in the Tier 2 airline league product wise, people have 98% of the time have treated me well
wanderingkev is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 9:52 am
  #8  
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Buy Y (or even M) when PN is available.
mduell is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 9:55 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
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I just used two GPUS for my wife's upcoming trip to Asia.

On the outbound I upgraded her Business Saver to Global First... on the return, I upgraded an economy saver to business. I feel that this was a fantastic value on both ends. Honestly the ability to upgrade award tickets is the killer feature of GS. Even though I'm still at risk of losing 8 or so GPUS on 1/31, I feel like I'm getting pretty good use out of them.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:00 am
  #10  
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Originally Posted by tuolumne
The halo effect of F is huge,
In some markets, maybe. But the number of airlines with F that offer it everywhere is dwindling. As is the number that offer F at all.
sbm12 is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:03 am
  #11  
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Not everyone who is GS flies in paid C. There are lots of companies which make a show of having even very senior people fly in Y.

Even those who fly NetJets for business, take family vacations and may like the idea of an UG for a family.
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Often1 is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:26 am
  #12  
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Haven't been flying UA much, is F being eliminated on all int'l routes?
GetSetJetSet is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:31 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by GetSetJetSet
Haven't been flying UA much, is F being eliminated on all int'l routes?

Announced in 2016 in favor of Polaris Business class.

https://skift.com/2016/06/06/united-is-getting-rid-of-first-class-on-its-international-flights/
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:34 am
  #14  
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Originally Posted by JHake10
I assume the award chart will still quote one rate for F on UA metal (that doesn't exist) and an inflated rate for partner F.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 10:39 am
  #15  
 
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Originally Posted by GetSetJetSet
I assume the award chart will still quote one rate for F on UA metal (that doesn't exist) and an inflated rate for partner F.
As long as a UA aircraft still has the F cabin, you can spend extra miles to sit there (which is worth it if you're in a pmUA 2-4-2 cabin). Partner rate F is more as always.

Under the newest rules that went into place Nov 1 (Europe-Mainland US as an example)

LHR-SFO UA F: 80K/one way
LHR-SFO UA J: 60K/one way

LHR-SFO *A F: 110K/one way
LHR-SFO *A J: 70K/one way
JHake10 is offline  


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