GPU upgrade availability
Aug 18, 2018, 5:41 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 52
In creating the spreadsheet I found there were three general strategies used to secure those GPUs:
- Booking far enough in advance (i.e. months) to cherry pick the dates/routings that have R space available so that the upgrade can be confirmed at booking
- Change or better yet (free) SDC to another flight/routing once R availability pops up after they've booked
- Hang on for the (waitlist) ride and hope the upgrade clears by the time you get to the gate
I certainly appreciate the work you've done James, thank you!
It's just frustrating to try to use GPUs (mostly EU to US and back) several times and never have them clear.
Currently I'm trying to book flights 2 months out (I've actually been looking at this since 3+ months out) and have seen no R availability for instant upgrades at all.
Another poster said this is availability from LHR a few days/weeks out so maybe I just need to waitlist and hope.
The flights from DUB almost *always* travel full on all classes, so I wouldn't be surprised if United just didn't want to open up upgrade space. It's pretty much guaranteed to sell here.
And I think that's why the frustration exists.
Aug 18, 2018, 6:00 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,332
I certainly appreciate the work you've done James, thank you!
It's just frustrating to try to use GPUs (mostly EU to US and back) several times and never have them clear.
Currently I'm trying to book flights 2 months out (I've actually been looking at this since 3+ months out) and have seen no R availability for instant upgrades at all.
Another poster said this is availability from LHR a few days/weeks out so maybe I just need to waitlist and hope.
The flights from DUB almost *always* travel full on all classes, so I wouldn't be surprised if United just didn't want to open up upgrade space. It's pretty much guaranteed to sell here.
And I think that's why the frustration exists.
It's just frustrating to try to use GPUs (mostly EU to US and back) several times and never have them clear.
Currently I'm trying to book flights 2 months out (I've actually been looking at this since 3+ months out) and have seen no R availability for instant upgrades at all.
Another poster said this is availability from LHR a few days/weeks out so maybe I just need to waitlist and hope.
The flights from DUB almost *always* travel full on all classes, so I wouldn't be surprised if United just didn't want to open up upgrade space. It's pretty much guaranteed to sell here.
And I think that's why the frustration exists.
Aug 18, 2018, 6:01 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
-James
Aug 18, 2018, 6:42 pm
#19
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
Aug 18, 2018, 6:57 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,332
no, but you can upgrade P --> O which is a ridiculous value for a GPU.
Aug 18, 2018, 8:44 pm
#21
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
Just to prevent questions on this, this will not work for UA codeshares presently -- as UA is not agreeing to change to LH native flight numbers to take advantage of this and UA website has not been changed to reflect this possibility.