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UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
- Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
- Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.
Generally, there are not long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2017]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2018]
#1306
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Alvesta, Sweden
Programs: SAS Diamond, UA Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 152
UA offers Same Day Changes (SDC) for $75 (if no status) -- it is actually better than same day because once you are within 24 hours (the day before) of the original departure, you can select an earlier flight if space in your fare class is available
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki)
For more see
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions (with Wiki)
For more see
#1307
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 467
I'll call the 1K number, but after reading a couple of "UA cancelled by account because I sold GPU" threads this weekend, I'm a little paranoid.
I've got a few GPU that will likely go unused (I don't live in the US and a lot of my flying is on non-UA metal in paid J, so hard to even get flights where I could apply them). A colleague is flying in a couple of weeks on UA (in paid J but with F on the flight), so I used one of my GPU to upgrade her. There was no upgrade space, so she went on the waitlist and I could use "Upgrade Requested". They deducted a GPU from my account.
She said that the "Upgrade Requested" no longer shows. I logged in and I cannot see it on her booking either and the "upgrade flight" option is back (allowing me to apply a GPU). The deducted GPU has not been returned to my account.
Any thoughts on what could be going on? I did not sell/trade/barter the GPU and I don't have a history of doing this (first time I've applied a GPU for someone else). I thought that we were allowed to do this (again, as long as there I don't sell/trade/barter or pretend that people are buying my advice and getting a free GPU). Did I break a rule?
I've got a few GPU that will likely go unused (I don't live in the US and a lot of my flying is on non-UA metal in paid J, so hard to even get flights where I could apply them). A colleague is flying in a couple of weeks on UA (in paid J but with F on the flight), so I used one of my GPU to upgrade her. There was no upgrade space, so she went on the waitlist and I could use "Upgrade Requested". They deducted a GPU from my account.
She said that the "Upgrade Requested" no longer shows. I logged in and I cannot see it on her booking either and the "upgrade flight" option is back (allowing me to apply a GPU). The deducted GPU has not been returned to my account.
Any thoughts on what could be going on? I did not sell/trade/barter the GPU and I don't have a history of doing this (first time I've applied a GPU for someone else). I thought that we were allowed to do this (again, as long as there I don't sell/trade/barter or pretend that people are buying my advice and getting a free GPU). Did I break a rule?
#1308
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,671
No, but I would call and try to get it straightened out. If this were UA's corporate fraud department in action, your account would already be frozen.
No you did not break a rule. I've gifted quite a few instruments. It's expressly allowed so long as there's no quid pro quo.
No you did not break a rule. I've gifted quite a few instruments. It's expressly allowed so long as there's no quid pro quo.
#1311
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
If I book via Chase UR, will I earn PQDs for an all UA-metal itinerary? Can GPUs also be applied to the itinerary (W or higher)?
#1312
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,107
The trick here is to get the W fare, it likely will take a human to do the booking unless you are very lucky.
Forcing the fare class also will likely avoid the bulk fares.
#1313
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 467
No, but I would call and try to get it straightened out. If this were UA's corporate fraud department in action, your account would already be frozen.
No you did not break a rule. I've gifted quite a few instruments. It's expressly allowed so long as there's no quid pro quo.
No you did not break a rule. I've gifted quite a few instruments. It's expressly allowed so long as there's no quid pro quo.
#1314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,538
To follow-up. I did call the 1K line. The issue is that you are no longer allowed to use GPU to waitlist for an upgrade from J to F (I think that there is no F standby list at all). Probably noted in a thread on here that I missed (I know that there are threads about UA getting rid of F, but I didn't realise the implications on using GPU for J to F on UA metal (where it is currently showing as a three-class plane)).
Upgrades/Access to Polaris Global First since UA Ended Polaris Global First Sales
I think you got a slightly misinformed agent, and that there was some other system glitch. Assuming the fare class is D or higher, you can use a GPU.
#1315
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
This might be the thread you want:
Upgrades/Access to Polaris Global First since UA Ended Polaris Global First Sales
I think you got a slightly misinformed agent, and that there was some other system glitch. Assuming the fare class is D or higher, you can use a GPU.
Upgrades/Access to Polaris Global First since UA Ended Polaris Global First Sales
I think you got a slightly misinformed agent, and that there was some other system glitch. Assuming the fare class is D or higher, you can use a GPU.
#1316
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 467
I think that you are correct about this since there was just a report of an FTer managing to get the upgrade from J to F for both directions just this week (was waitlisted with GPU). If the fare class for Polaris Business was not P or Z, the upgrade to F could be waitlisted by just requesting the upgrade on the website.
#1317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,538
Did you get your GPU back? If so, I don't see any reason not to do (unless of course you have other things in mind for it now).
#1318
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Maybe it would be good to know what flight, plane type and day as, who knows, they may have switched it to a converted 772 with the new Polaris seats and obviously in that plane there should be no option to waitlist an upgrade (Business to First) as there's no old First seats.
#1319
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 467
I think that frontenac551 wants to do it by phone because he's worried that UA will think that he sold the GPU on the web to an unknown person. On the phone, it's easier to explain that the recipient of the GPU is a colleague. But, then, there's the risk as previously experienced that the United agent on the phone has no clue.
Maybe it would be good to know what flight, plane type and day as, who knows, they may have switched it to a converted 772 with the new Polaris seats and obviously in that plane there should be no option to waitlist an upgrade (Business to First) as there's no old First seats.
Maybe it would be good to know what flight, plane type and day as, who knows, they may have switched it to a converted 772 with the new Polaris seats and obviously in that plane there should be no option to waitlist an upgrade (Business to First) as there's no old First seats.
I didn't, yet, get my first GPU back which is why I was loathe to use another one (I've got five (well four now) that expire in January 2019, so could spare another while I wait. When I called, I was clear that I had tried to upgrade a friend and the agent had no problem with it (so no longer worried that they thought I was selling it). And the agent said that the GPU will credit back to my account.
The flight is UA932 - IAD to FRA UA on 20-September.
And, yes, the agent said that they weren't waitlisting in case the plane changes to a two-class plane. But other posters have said that this isn't true - they'll waitlist just not actually upgrade until they know the plane type.
#1320
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I'm a she
I didn't, yet, get my first GPU back which is why I was loathe to use another one (I've got five (well four now) that expire in January 2019, so could spare another while I wait. When I called, I was clear that I had tried to upgrade a friend and the agent had no problem with it (so no longer worried that they thought I was selling it). And the agent said that the GPU will credit back to my account.
The flight is UA932 - IAD to FRA UA on 20-September.
And, yes, the agent said that they weren't waitlisting in case the plane changes to a two-class plane. But other posters have said that this isn't true - they'll waitlist just not actually upgrade until they know the plane type.
I didn't, yet, get my first GPU back which is why I was loathe to use another one (I've got five (well four now) that expire in January 2019, so could spare another while I wait. When I called, I was clear that I had tried to upgrade a friend and the agent had no problem with it (so no longer worried that they thought I was selling it). And the agent said that the GPU will credit back to my account.
The flight is UA932 - IAD to FRA UA on 20-September.
And, yes, the agent said that they weren't waitlisting in case the plane changes to a two-class plane. But other posters have said that this isn't true - they'll waitlist just not actually upgrade until they know the plane type.
I can see that on that flight they are also showing (but blocking) the F seats in Economy which do not exist in the 3-class 772. Anyways, if when they return your GPU you don't get an agent to waitlist it, they usually decide on what plane type they will fly 48 hours before the flight. Plane type can still change on day of departure as it happened to us. I hope your colleague gets to enjoy the bigger seat!