Sigh - How much is the W Upgrade Lottery worth?
#91
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Socal
Programs: UA Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Amex Plat, CSR
Posts: 207
What is the general experience/advice about utilizing GPUs on a DEN-LAX-SYD itinerary? Worth investing in the fare difference in the hopes of getting the GPU cleared, or is it just a pipe dream and I should rather invest the money in a nice hotel etc?
Thanks. So this G-fare is obviously not upgradable via GPU, the fare difference to W-fare is roughly $1,100 per person ($1,600 vs. $500). With PZ-inventory zeroed out for all 4 segments of the itinerary.
Thanks. So this G-fare is obviously not upgradable via GPU, the fare difference to W-fare is roughly $1,100 per person ($1,600 vs. $500). With PZ-inventory zeroed out for all 4 segments of the itinerary.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 6, 2019 at 8:19 pm Reason: moved to exisiting thread
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
I'd never pay an $1100 surcharge to waitlist a GPU, personally. In that situation, I'd use a mileage + copay award at $600 + 30K miles each way. It's an extra $100 per person, but the copay is refundable if the upgrade doesn't clear, whereas the fare difference isn't.
The downside is the the copay won't count toward PQD.
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,325
Is the TPAC on a Tuesday? Generally speaking playing the GPU lottery is a sucker's game though.
Consider also a miles+cash upgrade, as the copay is only slightly more than the W premium ($1,200) and is refunded if you don't clear.
Consider also a miles+cash upgrade, as the copay is only slightly more than the W premium ($1,200) and is refunded if you don't clear.
#94
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: 3,606
The couple of times I tried it (now over a year ago) the upgrades didn't clear. Complete was of money! I posted my experiences and I think most the replies were like "better chances in Vegas". I now do just as you posted.
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
How much would I pay? Not even a dime.
I refuse to roll the dice on a lie-flat seat for a TATL or TPAC. Either I pay cash, find a saver award or don't fly. As a result most of my GPUs are used like RPUs on flights to Mexico or transcons purchased at the lowest available fare bucket (except BE).
+1
I refuse to roll the dice on a lie-flat seat for a TATL or TPAC. Either I pay cash, find a saver award or don't fly. As a result most of my GPUs are used like RPUs on flights to Mexico or transcons purchased at the lowest available fare bucket (except BE).
+1
#96
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,007
UA Agent: 'Trying to use a GPU is like playing Russian Roulette'
Had to laugh at this one. Was on the phone with a UA agent recently to ticket a W fare and apply a GPU, and he says 'Are you sure you want to do that? Trying to use a GPU is like playing Russian Roulette'
I'll avoid mentioning the specific flight because I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but had to laugh. In the end he was right -- I bought the W fare and then didn't clear.
I'll avoid mentioning the specific flight because I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but had to laugh. In the end he was right -- I bought the W fare and then didn't clear.
#97
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
Ha - yeah one area where being EXP on AA is better - no fare class restriction with their SWUs. The only times I've bought W or higher without having R/PZ space confirmable at booking were a few trips for work where the lowest avail was >= W. But not throwing shade, I admit it takes a fair amount of flexibility in dates and routing to find confirmable upgrade seats.
#98
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: 3,606
Had to laugh at this one. Was on the phone with a UA agent recently to ticket a W fare and apply a GPU, and he says 'Are you sure you want to do that? Trying to use a GPU is like playing Russian Roulette'
I'll avoid mentioning the specific flight because I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but had to laugh. In the end he was right -- I bought the W fare and then didn't clear.
I'll avoid mentioning the specific flight because I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but had to laugh. In the end he was right -- I bought the W fare and then didn't clear.