Nov 3, 2018, 11:06 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Until 18 Oct 2018, upgrade space for RPU/GPUs was "R" ("PN" for GS), starting 19 Oct 2018 "R" has been replaced by "PZ"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
"R" upgrade / fare class is missing! (replaced by PZ)
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
"R" upgrade / fare class is missing! (replaced by PZ)
When using Expert to find upgrade space, check segments individually because checking multiple segments may defaults to reporting the less inventory (such as zero) of any segment for the multi-segment result
R / PZ Avail changes depending on how you search flights
Segments clear individually based on their upgrade space
UA provides Advance Search options for Mileage Upgrades or GPUs or RPUs -- There are complications with those searches, so if used to find space best to just record the flights and then book without the extra search options.
If you expect for an upgrade to clear after booking and it does not, remember you can cancel within 24 hours with no cancellation fee.
There are no tools available for searching for more than one day or one route at a time. UA has blocked any attempts by third parties to provides such tools,
Ways to search for upgrade space at booking?
May 29, 2019, 6:01 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I was trying to give the bad news in a gentle way. Maybe the traveler asking this question should check routing the trip through FRA. Tuesdays are usually good for upgrades.
May 29, 2019, 10:35 pm
#78
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Jun 2, 2019, 12:05 pm
#79
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: 3,621
This question seems to come up all the time, just curious as to how they "block" this. Also it seemed that awhile back some third party was doing it briefly and from what I heard not well and then per your comment was "blocked".
Jun 2, 2019, 12:31 pm
#80
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Jun 2, 2019, 3:17 pm
#81
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
My last three successful GPUs was me playing the lottery and all three took at time of applying the GPU - there was no indication of PZ availability (and in fact my last attempt I had upfared to an R fare and would only have upfared to W had I been aware PZ was available.
Most of my other GPUs and RPUs this year have been some time after I applied for them.
As others have suggested usually successful for Tuesdays and Wednesdays and unsuccessful for Fridays and Sateudays.
Most of my other GPUs and RPUs this year have been some time after I applied for them.
As others have suggested usually successful for Tuesdays and Wednesdays and unsuccessful for Fridays and Sateudays.
Jun 17, 2019, 1:17 pm
#82
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
MileagePlus Award Upgrades - Flights with automatic Upgrades (from DEN)
Is it possible to search for flights (or destinations) that have Mileage Plus Award Upgrade fares that are automatically confirmed at the time of booking? Vs being put on the waitlist?
I have noticed when searching for different international flights from Denver, using a the MAU search/fare option - the only flight or destination that offers an automatic (at the time of booking) MPU is a flight from Narita to Denver. All other flights put on the upgrade waitlist. Even searching a million different dates. That flight seems to be the only one that offers automatic upgrade at the time of booking.
Or, does anyone know of other international destinations (from Denver) that offer automatic upgrade vs waitlist only? Screenshots attached of what I'm talking about.
Wanting to travel to Europe later this year but want to find a flight where we can get the upgrade at the time of booking, vs waiting and never getting the upgrade.
I'm silver and have the United card.
Thanks!!
I have noticed when searching for different international flights from Denver, using a the MAU search/fare option - the only flight or destination that offers an automatic (at the time of booking) MPU is a flight from Narita to Denver. All other flights put on the upgrade waitlist. Even searching a million different dates. That flight seems to be the only one that offers automatic upgrade at the time of booking.
Or, does anyone know of other international destinations (from Denver) that offer automatic upgrade vs waitlist only? Screenshots attached of what I'm talking about.
Wanting to travel to Europe later this year but want to find a flight where we can get the upgrade at the time of booking, vs waiting and never getting the upgrade.
I'm silver and have the United card.
Thanks!!
Jun 17, 2019, 1:23 pm
#83
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,273
Is it possible to search for flights (or destinations) that have Mileage Plus Award Upgrade fares that are automatically confirmed at the time of booking? Vs being put on the waitlist?
I have noticed when searching for different international flights from Denver, using a the MAU search/fare option - the only flight or destination that offers an automatic (at the time of booking) MPU is a flight from Narita to Denver. All other flights put on the upgrade waitlist. Even searching a million different dates. That flight seems to be the only one that offers automatic upgrade at the time of booking.
Or, does anyone know of other international destinations (from Denver) that offer automatic upgrade vs waitlist only? Screenshots attached of what I'm talking about.
Wanting to travel to Europe later this year but want to find a flight where we can get the upgrade at the time of booking, vs waiting and never getting the upgrade.
I'm silver and have the United card.
Thanks!!
I have noticed when searching for different international flights from Denver, using a the MAU search/fare option - the only flight or destination that offers an automatic (at the time of booking) MPU is a flight from Narita to Denver. All other flights put on the upgrade waitlist. Even searching a million different dates. That flight seems to be the only one that offers automatic upgrade at the time of booking.
Or, does anyone know of other international destinations (from Denver) that offer automatic upgrade vs waitlist only? Screenshots attached of what I'm talking about.
Wanting to travel to Europe later this year but want to find a flight where we can get the upgrade at the time of booking, vs waiting and never getting the upgrade.
I'm silver and have the United card.
Thanks!!
Jun 17, 2019, 1:57 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
That’s correct. In fact, it’s worse than that: you need to check each US gateway individually also. For example, if you want to go to FRA, you’d want to check DEN-FRA, ORD-FRA, IAH-FRA, etc. Otherwise, if the long leg has space available but the domestic leg doesn’t, it’ll still show PZ0.
Note that neither Silver status nor the United Explorer card influence your ability to upgrade.
I’d suggest watching for discount business class fares also. Between the co-pay and the miles, mileage upgrades aren’t necessarily a great value compared to a sale on a business class fare. FlyerTalk has a Premium Cabin Deals board that may be useful.
Jun 17, 2019, 3:22 pm
#86
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
The short answer is these are not common,
The domestic legs to another UA international gate almost never have PZ at booking. With the limited international flights on UA/partners from DEN, you will likely need to go to another UA international gateway. the MUA search will return mixed cabin results but searching from the other gateway cities first will provide a clearer picture.
But it will take a lot of work, lots o manual searching and TATL upgrade space is tough and probably non-existent between now and late October. Pacific space is a tiny bit better, There is no 'tell what upgrade space is available anywhere function"
The domestic legs to another UA international gate almost never have PZ at booking. With the limited international flights on UA/partners from DEN, you will likely need to go to another UA international gateway. the MUA search will return mixed cabin results but searching from the other gateway cities first will provide a clearer picture.
But it will take a lot of work, lots o manual searching and TATL upgrade space is tough and probably non-existent between now and late October. Pacific space is a tiny bit better, There is no 'tell what upgrade space is available anywhere function"
Jun 17, 2019, 4:30 pm
#87
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: 3,621
To me the frustrating thing is it could be done very easily. As I understand it is has in the past indeed been done by other vendors sites that marketed this tool, however, UA immediately shuts them down. I don't get it, I guess they want their customers to grovel through the muck and find the every elusive upgrade space. Open to comments as to why this makes sense.
Jun 17, 2019, 5:17 pm
#88
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Because it puts the few at a great advantage over the many. Additionally, I suspect UA probably believe it will be used by travel hackers / blogs to the disadvantage of their "better" customers. Inequity in access to a major benefit. Plus a third party making a profit on "trafficking" one of UA's most valuable benefits.
Oct 14, 2019, 8:28 pm
#89
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Orange County
Programs: United
Posts: 32
GPU/Plus Points upgrade
Hi all,
Looking for some information for an upcoming milage run. I’ll hit 1k early November and I want to use my GPU/Plus points to help a friend hit platinum before the years up.
Is there a way to search on the United website for upgrades without currently having them in your account?
He needs 13k to reach Platinum and I was hoping to use the plus points to upgrade us but can’t seem to find how to search for December flights without currently having the available.
Thanks for any assistance!
Looking for some information for an upcoming milage run. I’ll hit 1k early November and I want to use my GPU/Plus points to help a friend hit platinum before the years up.
Is there a way to search on the United website for upgrades without currently having them in your account?
He needs 13k to reach Platinum and I was hoping to use the plus points to upgrade us but can’t seem to find how to search for December flights without currently having the available.
Thanks for any assistance!