UA PlusPoints / Upgrades for sale on ebay ...(Warning these are not sanctioned by UA)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: U.K.
Programs: QR P; HH D; IHG SpAmb
Posts: 770
UA PlusPoints / Upgrades for sale on ebay ...(Warning these are not sanctioned by UA)
Just noticed this by chance, but is it normal that there are so many United upgrades for sale on ebay (and UA/ebay seemingly not doing anything about it?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,925
UA does pose as buyers. Accounts are then closed and GPUs/RPUs/RPMs forfeited. Occasionally, some indignant fool who has been caught comes here and complains about it. You don't want to be a holder of a GPU or RPU when the account is closed. You have zero claim - "I didn't know buying one was against program rules" doesn't work. Some sellers try various tactics to say they're not selling them. One gimmick is saying you get a free upgrade instrument for buying "travel advice". It doesn't work. UA has unilateral ability to shut an account for any reason they want. They don't have to listen to or consider the excuse.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: MFR & BKK
Programs: Ex-UA Silver | Global Entry | Ex-HH Gold
Posts: 42
Don't do it, its a trap!.
Seriously though its banned and anyone that buys/sells them will also be banned.
Besides that there are status challenges on ebay. All of them are illegal as well. Don't do any of it!
Seriously though its banned and anyone that buys/sells them will also be banned.
Besides that there are status challenges on ebay. All of them are illegal as well. Don't do any of it!
#5
Moderator: United MileagePlus
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,257
I've lost count of how many GS/1Ks I've met that are completely unaware that they cannot sell their instruments. Their excuse has always been "but they're mine". I guess they're too busy traveling to read the fine print but it's not an excuse.
Conversely, I've met a couple GS/1K's that are unaware they get GPUs at all.
Conversely, I've met a couple GS/1K's that are unaware they get GPUs at all.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
Obviously since then I have mended my ways, was introduced to FT and now have learned how to use the system.
Certainly never thought about selling a GPU.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,257
That was me my first couple of years as a 1K. Had no idea. It took a work colleague who thought I was GS as I traveled so much to teach me about status and the benefits. I was not GS as the spend was spread around on various airlines and as I was flying business class did not really care. I knew about using miles to UG on flights to/from Australia - CO/UA but never once when calling about flights and upgrading did a phone agent mention to me about GPUs - a number went unused. I had the card but would just call a general United number - clueless! (Yes I am blonde.)
Obviously since then I have mended my ways, was introduced to FT and now have learned how to use the system.
Certainly never thought about selling a GPU.
Obviously since then I have mended my ways, was introduced to FT and now have learned how to use the system.
Certainly never thought about selling a GPU.
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,278
Someone who refers to themselves as a 1K is selling RPUs for USD169.
I have 20 of those currently, all of which are likely to expire before use...let me see....20 x $169 = $3380....where's that SELLING button on eBay?
lol, just kidding & totally ridiculous
After further explanation, I got him through the stages to acceptance. It is easy to forget that FT is a tiny segment of the FF population. Most FF's don't know all their benefits or the best way to use them. You almost need a PhD to understand UA's upgrade process. I've been on this site for 10yrs and I still get confused sometimes.
I hope most buyers and most sellers ARE United employees!
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 6, 2018 at 2:39 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#12
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,580
Prohibition of sale or barter
The sale, barter or other transfer or attempted sale, barter or other transfer of any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status, other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United, is expressly prohibited. Any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status sold, bartered or otherwise transferred is in violation of the Rules and any accounts or Members involved in such sales, barters or other transfers may be subject to United’s Remedies. The acquisition, use, transfer or attempted acquisition, use or transfer of mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status that have been acquired by purchase, barter or other transfer in violation of the Rules may result in United’s exercise of United’s Remedies.
The sale, barter or other transfer or attempted sale, barter or other transfer of any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status, other than as authorized and/or sponsored by United, is expressly prohibited. Any mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status sold, bartered or otherwise transferred is in violation of the Rules and any accounts or Members involved in such sales, barters or other transfers may be subject to United’s Remedies. The acquisition, use, transfer or attempted acquisition, use or transfer of mileage, certificates, awards, benefits or status that have been acquired by purchase, barter or other transfer in violation of the Rules may result in United’s exercise of United’s Remedies.
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Not only are there any number of scammers and fraudsters, but there is then a subset of them who are too cute by half and know that they have figured out how to get around the rules. They can't.
Zero sympathy.
Zero sympathy.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4me
Posts: 11,957
#15
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: UA MM *Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,850
He has one posted on Canadian ebay. CAD $750.00, he seems to be based in the US he has 100% positive feedback, here is the feedback from one of his purchaser's " Respuesta y pago rpidos. Perfecto. Muchas gracias.
Aug 31, 2018"
Aug 31, 2018"