Sigh - How much is the W Upgrade Lottery worth?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 621
How much have you spent on the GPU "lottery"?
I'm curious how often the 1Ks and GSes here pay for a W-class or above fare or (GG BUYUP) when an S-class or lower economy fare is available for the sole purpose of applying a GPU on an international leg.
How often do you do it? How much does it normally cost? And what's been your clearance rate?
How often do you do it? How much does it normally cost? And what's been your clearance rate?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
I'm curious how often the 1Ks and GSes here pay for a W-class or above fare or (GG BUYUP) when an S-class or lower economy fare is available for the sole purpose of applying a GPU on an international leg.
How often do you do it? How much does it normally cost? And what's been your clearance rate?
How often do you do it? How much does it normally cost? And what's been your clearance rate?
My change in buying pattern was due to the lottery not working and prefer to keep the money in my pocket by getting the refund. (Contrast to Air New Zealand that allows you to bid $$ for the upgrade but only charges if the bid is successful and retickets to the higher fare which works well for my PQM balance).
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,166
#7
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,956
I would only do GG BUYUP to W if I saw R class open up after I had booked a lower fare...very disinclined to play the lotto. I don't mind doing miles + copay if I have to - only want to spend money on a sure thing.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,257
$0, only book if R>0 and "buy up to" W. (which is basically a co-pay). The only time I go above W is if thats the lowest available fare. If you're asking how much I've spent on the "buy up to" W versus the lowest available fare, that's a tough on since I don't really track it. I usually take a look at its around $400 round trip perhaps.
I don't travel for intl for work much anymore, mostly for vacation so I can be flexible.
I don't travel for intl for work much anymore, mostly for vacation so I can be flexible.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 747
I've played the lottery a few times over the last year, and will generally only play if the fare diff is $200 or less and there is P9 at the time of booking.
In the last year I've hit on:
FRA-ORD
IAD-GRU
IAH-LHR
missed on:
SFO-SYD
GRU-EWR
In the last year I've hit on:
FRA-ORD
IAD-GRU
IAH-LHR
missed on:
SFO-SYD
GRU-EWR
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 74
Like everyone else, I usually do not play the GPU lottery unless R>0 at time of booking. However, since the beginning of the year I decided to use my GPUs and have had the following successes:
EWR - TLV
TLV - SFO
EWR - MXP
MXP - EWR - LAX
LAX - HNL - GUM - MNL
MNL - GUM - NRT - LAX
Some of the segments cleared at booking, some cleared a few days before the flight, and 1 cleared the day of the flight.
EWR - TLV
TLV - SFO
EWR - MXP
MXP - EWR - LAX
LAX - HNL - GUM - MNL
MNL - GUM - NRT - LAX
Some of the segments cleared at booking, some cleared a few days before the flight, and 1 cleared the day of the flight.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,655
Too many times. Probably 8 times in the last 2 years with <50% success rate. This 'feature' is one of he most annoying things about United and I wish they would just cut this crap out....
#15
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
The clearance rate for myself and my family (wife + 2 kids) is close to 100%. I don't remember the last time upgrades didn't clear. I book W, apply GPUs and always get upgraded.