Feb 12, 2019, 1:21 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is the archive thread, the active thread is Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic (How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,...)
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
LH booking class P, Z upgreadable for miles and eVouchers
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P ,Z-class LH flights with a GPU. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Checking for availability prior to calling
Use ANA or even united.com to see availability.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with a GPU, see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA or Lufthansa. You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Request a GPU for a Select Partner Airline.
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply a GPU
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)
While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
For C->F upgrade, J, D, C fares are eligible, Z and P fares are not. ... Just check the tables here: https://www.miles-and-more.com/onlin...l=en&cid=18002
Appears this also applies to use of UA GPUs IF booked as native flight number on LH or UA ticket stock.
Presently UA is not converting codeshare to native flight numbers, as required for this process, if P or Z fare
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the N, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Both longhaul LH segments cleared into I after being on waitlist . The first didnt get stickered, so the DCS ( amadeus altea ) rejected online and agent checkin . The eticket helpdesk had to manually update the first coupon for the DCS to accept the coupon. My seat in C was safe, since the PNR was updated correctly, just the ticket was not updated completely to the satisfaction of the DCS. Everyone looking at the booking agreed the upgrade was legit, so you will not be denied boarding or downgraded, just budget enough time
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The LH GA must have called the eticket helpdesk and pointed out the * SSR remark in your reservation that shows an upgrade was applied and the e-ticket just needed a fix/sticker. See my experience above.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate GPU
A single GPU can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that GPU cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH GPU upgrades to reflect this change.
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
May 13, 2019, 1:14 pm
#1922
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May 13, 2019, 2:10 pm
#1923
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I called the 1K line because the online form was giving me a lot of grief. Initially she told me I couldn’t upgrade but then told me to hang on, she was going to speak to some colleague. 30 minutes later...
May 18, 2019, 5:00 pm
#1924
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Nowtrying to reapply a GPU to LH flight I keep getting an error and asks me to call UA UA can't seem to help me - so is this becasue of this upgrade system upgrading? Not sure what to do - should I just call UA again?
May 18, 2019, 5:11 pm
#1925
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May 18, 2019, 5:34 pm
#1926
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Called 1K Websupport - issue at the moment with LH GPUs Tech are looking at it but has been going on for at least a week with no reposnse back to agents about resolution of issue
May 18, 2019, 7:52 pm
#1927
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Yes yesterday - I had a LH EGPU applied last weekend - and was waitlisted for a LH upgrade to F (never waitlisted for so long before usuaully clears 24 hours later ) - UA told me EGPU was applied incorrectly -so i asked them to remove it yesterday - GPU removed, but not returned - called back and they had to manually return it
Nowtrying to reapply a GPU to LH flight I keep getting an error and asks me to call UA UA can't seem to help me - so is this becasue of this upgrade system upgrading? Not sure what to do - should I just call UA again?
Nowtrying to reapply a GPU to LH flight I keep getting an error and asks me to call UA UA can't seem to help me - so is this becasue of this upgrade system upgrading? Not sure what to do - should I just call UA again?
Call LH and see if they can help you with the mess you got yourself into.
May 18, 2019, 8:08 pm
#1928
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honestly, you should have left this alone or called LH. UA has zero idea if this was applied correctly and frankly, once applied it is usually good. Once you apply a GPU this is controlled by LH and no longer by UA, so no wonder it did not return, the rules state very clearly that if you want to change or cancel a GPU on LH you have to call them and NOT UA. Sounds like you made a mess, I hope someone can fix it for you. This has nothing to do with any trouble the UA upgrade system might have had recently.
Call LH and see if they can help you with the mess you got yourself into.
May 18, 2019, 8:22 pm
#1929
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Thanks Ill try that - I actually did call LH to remove the GPU but they told me I had to call UA LH call centres are clueless about most things - Ive had nothing but grief booking through them and every time a book a LH/LX fare they can't book it and I have to escalate it to LH agents in AU Even the LH rep here on Flyertalk said you cant use UA GPU on LH - go figure
May 18, 2019, 8:39 pm
#1930
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call the LH First class hotline. Once applied the GPU is held hostage by LH. It was likely applied correctly in the first place, honestly, they can clear any time till departure and I am not sure where you have heard that 24 hour thing. Always check how things look like on Lufthansa.com and if ever in doubt because it looks strange, call Lufthansa
call the LH First class hotline. Once applied the GPU is held hostage by LH. It was likely applied correctly in the first place, honestly, they can clear any time till departure and I am not sure where you have heard that 24 hour thing. Always check how things look like on Lufthansa.com and if ever in doubt because it looks strange, call Lufthansa
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 19, 2019 at 12:03 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
May 19, 2019, 6:33 am
#1931
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Called LH FC Hotline DE because LH FC Hotline USA closed (I thought it was 24 hours) No help cant see any upgrade or GPU but LH.COM still shows UA EGPUJRXXXXXX without any upgrade I'm seriously at the end of my tether -Naechste Haltestelle is CXL the LH ticket gratis and rebook on an entirely LX ticket Sick of LH uselessness!
May 20, 2019, 4:06 am
#1932
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call the LH First class hotline. Once applied the GPU is held hostage by LH. It was likely applied correctly in the first place, honestly, they can clear any time till departure and I am not sure where you have heard that 24 hour thing. Always check how things look like on Lufthansa.com and if ever in doubt because it looks strange, call Lufthansa
So a little concerned when its waitlisted and doesn't clear
BTW LH showed a UAEGPU remark in my frequent flyer details which I managed to remove LH cant see any upgrade and now I have to option to upgrade on the LH.com website using evouchers or miles No evouchers left so looks like its gonna have to be 50K LH miles
seems other people are getting the same messages on other web posts so I think its a United issue - maybe the O class confused UA IT since they are using O for the PE when LH/TG?NH use it for their F Awards/Upgrades Which is why a UA 1K call agent said I was booking into PE
May 20, 2019, 11:31 am
#1933
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my previous upgrade to LH F using a GPU ALWAYS for the pas t10 years clear within 24 hours have the email w/l and emai l confirmed to prove it
So a little concerned when its waitlisted and doesn't clear
BTW LH showed a UAEGPU remark in my frequent flyer details which I managed to remove LH cant see any upgrade and now I have to option to upgrade on the LH.com website using evouchers or miles No evouchers left so looks like its gonna have to be 50K LH miles
seems other people are getting the same messages on other web posts so I think its a United issue - maybe the O class confused UA IT since they are using O for the PE when LH/TG?NH use it for their F Awards/Upgrades Which is why a UA 1K call agent said I was booking into PE
So a little concerned when its waitlisted and doesn't clear
BTW LH showed a UAEGPU remark in my frequent flyer details which I managed to remove LH cant see any upgrade and now I have to option to upgrade on the LH.com website using evouchers or miles No evouchers left so looks like its gonna have to be 50K LH miles
seems other people are getting the same messages on other web posts so I think its a United issue - maybe the O class confused UA IT since they are using O for the PE when LH/TG?NH use it for their F Awards/Upgrades Which is why a UA 1K call agent said I was booking into PE
For me I'd say 1/3 clear right away, another 10% clear over night then 50% clear some time till flight departure (some at the gate) and 10% don't clear.I have no issues right now using the United UG system for LH, just 1 data point.
May 20, 2019, 6:57 pm
#1934
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unable to request LH GPU upgrade using United website
Been trying to upgrade a Lufthansa flight for 2 days. Get message there is a technical issue which is confirmed by Web support.
Only told to try tomorrow. No work-around.
No explanation on the problem either.
Also getting message Singapore's cant be done at this time either.
Only told to try tomorrow. No work-around.
No explanation on the problem either.
Also getting message Singapore's cant be done at this time either.
Is anybody having *success* in even applying for an LH upgrade now using UA's website? And, if so, please generally describe what you are doing that makes it work. I've got the LH record locator number, the flight is booked under an LH number, and the fare is in D class, which the UA website says is upgradeable with a GPU (but the LH website says is not.)
May 20, 2019, 7:11 pm
#1935
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One of my friends ( Friend A ) has succeeded to use a GPU for another friend ( Friend B ) on a LH flight, early May. However, the flight was marketed and operated by Lufthansa ( respectively under the LH code ). The ticket is a 220- ticket. Friend B is now on the waitlist for an upgrade and we hope his upgrade would clear soon.
Btw, Friend A used the United website to request this upgrade and Friend B was placed to the waitlist in Friend A's first attempt to fill out the necessary form.
Btw, Friend A used the United website to request this upgrade and Friend B was placed to the waitlist in Friend A's first attempt to fill out the necessary form.