Burn a RPU/GPU to avoid baggage fees...worth it?
Jan 3, 2018, 12:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 33
Burn a RPU/GPU to avoid baggage fees...worth it?
I'm flying my non-status daughter back and forth through ORD for college to avoid 14 hours of driving in one day. Flights from CLE-ORD are easy to find below $100 cash. I have so many RPUs and GPUs (24) that I doubt I will ever use them all this year, especially with most of my international flights seemingly to be Polaris where there isn't even a first class any more.
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Jan 3, 2018, 12:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I'm flying my non-status daughter back and forth through ORD for college to avoid 14 hours of driving in one day. Flights from CLE-ORD are easy to find below $100 cash. I have so many RPUs and GPUs (24) that I doubt I will ever use them all this year, especially with most of my international flights seemingly to be Polaris where there isn't even a first class any more.
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Jan 3, 2018, 12:08 pm
#3
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,850
If you think some will go unused, then getting $100 in value seems very sane. Best to use RPUs as they are less flexible than GPUs and of lower intrinsic value.
Jan 3, 2018, 12:08 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,019
I'm flying my non-status daughter back and forth through ORD for college to avoid 14 hours of driving in one day. Flights from CLE-ORD are easy to find below $100 cash. I have so many RPUs and GPUs (24) that I doubt I will ever use them all this year, especially with most of my international flights seemingly to be Polaris where there isn't even a first class any more.
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Is it insane to them for a one hour flight but knowing that if she gets upgraded I avoid probably for 2 or 3 bags almost $100 in baggage fees? Just curious as to the collective thoughts of the group. Thanks!
Amtrak is $58 and allows up to 4 bags - 2 free and 2 at $20/bag.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jan 3, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Jan 3, 2018, 12:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
I think it's a great idea. Like many others, I still have two instruments I can't use before the end of the month. If memory serves:
BTW, when I moved OGG-IAD, the books were going to be a bit heavy, so I shipped them via USPS using the "media mail" rate, which is ridiculously cheap.
- 2 bags at 70lbs, 62 linear inches. They charge for the third bag, so do only two. The biggest I've ever done is 18x18x24 (=60in) cardboard moving box (~$2 at Walmart). I used disposable nylon straps to make sure it stays closed.
- As long as one segment clears, baggage fees are waived for the entire itinerary. So in theory, you only need to apply one RPU to wipe out the baggage fees. In theory, you could even do multiple round trips on a single itinerary. However, if you have that many, then why not make use of them?
- Until at least one segment clears, baggage fees are still in effect. If first flight fails, and second flight is still waitlisted, that would hurt. Return flight would be free once it clears, but I'm guessing there won't be any bags.
- You'll get back any RPU that doesn't clear, anyways.
BTW, when I moved OGG-IAD, the books were going to be a bit heavy, so I shipped them via USPS using the "media mail" rate, which is ridiculously cheap.
Jan 3, 2018, 1:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
If anything, letting them go to waste would be insane. I have friends who use GPUs on transcons (which can be difficult to clear with RPUs) because they are always buying paid international J and would have no use for them otherwise.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:41 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
But agree that with 24 RPUs it's well worth the burn for this purpose, unless you can find saver F and use miles.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
And ironically, putting the RPU on your own ticket bumps your daughter down, and may be the difference that makes paying for bags necessary. (Of course, you can avoid this and other issues by putting her on a >R0 flight to begin with.)
Jan 3, 2018, 3:12 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA 1k 1.75 MM
Posts: 199
During boarding of a flight a couple of years ago, some friends of a person sitting in first class were chiding her for sitting in first class as they passed by on the way back to economy. Her reply was that it was cheaper to upgrade to first class than to pay for checked bags.
That is when I realized that complimentary upgrades were about to get scarce.
That is when I realized that complimentary upgrades were about to get scarce.
Jan 3, 2018, 3:29 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Actually, more than double, since Plat/1K gets 3 bags...even in Economy.
And ironically, putting the RPU on your own ticket bumps your daughter down, and may be the difference that makes paying for bags necessary. (Of course, you can avoid this and other issues by putting her on a >R0 flight to begin with.)
And ironically, putting the RPU on your own ticket bumps your daughter down, and may be the difference that makes paying for bags necessary. (Of course, you can avoid this and other issues by putting her on a >R0 flight to begin with.)
2) On second, that's true, but if OP's going just to get the bag allowance there's no need to apply RPU just for the bags.
Jan 4, 2018, 11:00 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 41
Will United let you use RPUs for your daughter?
Are you flying with your daughter or just using your miles to fly her by herself?
If the latter, better check with United to see if the upgrades are transferable to her: I doubt they are.
1K status perks - such as economy plus seating, priority boarding - no longer transfer to tickets purchased with 1K miles if the person flying is not 1K, so I'd be surprised if she could use your RPUs.
If you are flying with your daughter, she can be upgraded as your companion for purposes of seating and boarding priority. (Probably baggage allowance as well - we rarely check bags so I'm not sure of that.) But in that case, as drewguy pointed out, you don't need to use upgrades as your status will take care of the bags.
If the latter, better check with United to see if the upgrades are transferable to her: I doubt they are.
1K status perks - such as economy plus seating, priority boarding - no longer transfer to tickets purchased with 1K miles if the person flying is not 1K, so I'd be surprised if she could use your RPUs.
If you are flying with your daughter, she can be upgraded as your companion for purposes of seating and boarding priority. (Probably baggage allowance as well - we rarely check bags so I'm not sure of that.) But in that case, as drewguy pointed out, you don't need to use upgrades as your status will take care of the bags.
Jan 4, 2018, 11:05 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
RPUs and GPUs can be used by anyone. The only restriction is that you're not allowed to sell or barter them. Using them for a family member's travel is 100% fine, both by the letter of the law and in practice.
