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}
Mar 2, 2015, 1:56 am
#256
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
No co-pay whatsoever for use of GPUs on LH flights. 250$ difference for a RT between W and Q sounds really low though...
Mar 2, 2015, 4:59 am
#257
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Programs: *A "Top 1000 2015", FB Lifetime Plat.; BA Silver; Ma; Hilton Diamond.rriott Gold
Posts: 497
So much better than the old lottery on the day, when I also used to have to book the connecting flight to FRA/MUC one before the normal one in order to make sure enough time load catering. Just booked FRA-NKG and PEK-FRA for March, making sure I space available; as soon as tix came through able to apply the GPUs electronically and instantly :-).
The only pain was making sure it booked into Q class; I can't get united.com to price tix ex-EU unless it involves UA metal (or at least goes via north america at some point); lufthansa.com doesn't allow fare bucket restrictions so had to call lufthansa (with surcharge :-(, though to be fair, the agent was excellent and understood ins-outs of it all, and double checked I class for me. ticket numbers took overnight to come through (sunday pm to monday morning), but still within the 24 hour free cancellation deadline.
The only pain was making sure it booked into Q class; I can't get united.com to price tix ex-EU unless it involves UA metal (or at least goes via north america at some point); lufthansa.com doesn't allow fare bucket restrictions so had to call lufthansa (with surcharge :-(, though to be fair, the agent was excellent and understood ins-outs of it all, and double checked I class for me. ticket numbers took overnight to come through (sunday pm to monday morning), but still within the 24 hour free cancellation deadline.
Last edited by Leedsflyer; Mar 2, 2015 at 5:01 am Reason: added "with surcharge"
Mar 3, 2015, 11:31 pm
#258
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 27
Sorry for this dumb question
Can I buy lh flight ticket at lufthansa.com
And use united gpu to upgrade the flight?
Or gpu only works on lufthansa metal flight bought through united?
The reason I am asking this is sometimes united.com don't show lh flight when the united metal flight for same route still have seats.
Can I buy lh flight ticket at lufthansa.com
And use united gpu to upgrade the flight?
Or gpu only works on lufthansa metal flight bought through united?
The reason I am asking this is sometimes united.com don't show lh flight when the united metal flight for same route still have seats.
Mar 3, 2015, 11:50 pm
#259
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Mar 4, 2015, 7:14 am
#260
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
I'm 3/3 on GPUs on LHs DEN-FRA service, with 2 of those by the new method. The business seat isn't as good as UAs layflat, but it sure beats connecting thru ORD or EWR and ending up on the waiting list for the TATL leg.
Mar 4, 2015, 9:26 pm
#261
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 232
I fly through DEN once a month to go to FRA and never take that direct flight because of the inferior old style LH seat. I really wish they would just upgrade that old 747. I end up having to go through ORD or IAH just to try for the better lie flat seat when using my GPU. I feel like i waste my precious GPU on that wedgie class seat. It would be real nice though to cut out an entire segment.
Mar 4, 2015, 10:23 pm
#262
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
I fly through DEN once a month to go to FRA and never take that direct flight because of the inferior old style LH seat. I really wish they would just upgrade that old 747. I end up having to go through ORD or IAH just to try for the better lie flat seat when using my GPU. I feel like i waste my precious GPU on that wedgie class seat. It would be real nice though to cut out an entire segment.
It's all trade offs. I had to burn a GPU on a FLL-IAH-DEN flight in January because I couldn't get it to clear last year on UA metal TATL/TPACs.
Last edited by PushingTin; Mar 5, 2015 at 7:38 am
Mar 6, 2015, 6:19 am
#263
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 397
Well, it turns out the only way to fix this was to have the gate agent force a voluntary downgrade, which then triggered an automatic redeposit of the GPU.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 6, 2015 at 11:26 am Reason: repaired quote
Mar 8, 2015, 7:20 pm
#264
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 546
Just an update on my experience, given that I asked a few questions upthread. I had a GPU applied for C -> O on DEL-MUC. The upgrade cleared, looked fine on the LH side, and an LH O segment appeared in my UA record (but completely out of order). UA didn't reissue (or sticker) the ticket, and LH said that I would be fine to check in. I wasn't able to check in online because I was connecting from an AI segment (i.e., my first flight of the itinerary was on another carrier), but when I got to DEL, LH checked me in with no issues (no 15 minute phone call to the eTicket desk). So, in short, it turns out that we might be able to trust the automatic process, even if it produces weird results along the way.
Thanks for everyone's responses!
Thanks for everyone's responses!
Mar 9, 2015, 3:04 pm
#265
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: GEG
Programs: UAL 1K/1MM, Go Zags!
Posts: 404
Positive so far
Here is my experience thus far- I purchased SEA-FRA-VIE RT on UA.com, a codeshare with LH, Q-fare but on 016 stock. I had to request the fare bucket but no problems there. Then I called the 1K desk and told her I wanted to use my GPUs for the TATL legs both ways and needed the flight numbers converted over to LH numbers. She said no worries, give me a few minutes, made the change, tickets reissued. Then she asked if I wanted to have her apply the GPUs, sure, go ahead, then a few minutes later she had me waitlisted on the outbound and confirmed on the return. 
She was really pleasant and knew exactly what to do, and said that my itinerary would look wrong on UA.com but don't worry about it, and it should be correct on M&M.
So then I logged into M&M and reviewed the booking, confirmed the upgrade, selected seats and even purchased emergency exit seats for the FRA-VIE legs as well as the outbound TATL in case my GPU does not clear. It let me pay online.
This is a flight which offers the enhanced economy seats but my upgrade skipped over that straight into business.
Additionally, my workmate here just went through this a few weeks ago with no problems and his cleared in both directions, he flew out yesterday no issues.
Easy-peazy. I like this much better than the old "sweat the gate holding a paper voucher" system in the past.^^^
She was really pleasant and knew exactly what to do, and said that my itinerary would look wrong on UA.com but don't worry about it, and it should be correct on M&M.So then I logged into M&M and reviewed the booking, confirmed the upgrade, selected seats and even purchased emergency exit seats for the FRA-VIE legs as well as the outbound TATL in case my GPU does not clear. It let me pay online.
This is a flight which offers the enhanced economy seats but my upgrade skipped over that straight into business.
Additionally, my workmate here just went through this a few weeks ago with no problems and his cleared in both directions, he flew out yesterday no issues.
Easy-peazy. I like this much better than the old "sweat the gate holding a paper voucher" system in the past.^^^
Mar 12, 2015, 5:02 am
#266
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 397
And the saga continues - the LH agent made a mistake at checkin, which put me in Y, canceled the upgrade and redeposited the GPU. LH and UA have been calling each other for well over two hours now trying to fix it.
Mar 13, 2015, 3:57 pm
#267
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
On a call with UA right now. 016 ticket with UA flight numbers LH metal issued by TA. Agent says that I have to have the TA change the flight numbers to LH numbers. I told her, no you guys can change them and apply the GPUs. She talked to another specialist and said that they can actually do it.
The 1k agent agreed that the dumping of the *A desk was not a good move. All these oddities with stuff like this aren't something that they deal with everyday.
In the future, do you think I can just get the TA to book flights all with LH flt numbers on an 016 ticket and skip a step? I thought there were issues with ticketing an 016 with all LH segments.
The 1k agent agreed that the dumping of the *A desk was not a good move. All these oddities with stuff like this aren't something that they deal with everyday.
In the future, do you think I can just get the TA to book flights all with LH flt numbers on an 016 ticket and skip a step? I thought there were issues with ticketing an 016 with all LH segments.
Mar 14, 2015, 7:40 am
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,090
On a call with UA right now. 016 ticket with UA flight numbers LH metal issued by TA. Agent says that I have to have the TA change the flight numbers to LH numbers. I told her, no you guys can change them and apply the GPUs. She talked to another specialist and said that they can actually do it.
The 1k agent agreed that the dumping of the *A desk was not a good move. All these oddities with stuff like this aren't something that they deal with everyday.
In the future, do you think I can just get the TA to book flights all with LH flt numbers on an 016 ticket and skip a step? I thought there were issues with ticketing an 016 with all LH segments.
The 1k agent agreed that the dumping of the *A desk was not a good move. All these oddities with stuff like this aren't something that they deal with everyday.
In the future, do you think I can just get the TA to book flights all with LH flt numbers on an 016 ticket and skip a step? I thought there were issues with ticketing an 016 with all LH segments.
Mar 14, 2015, 10:31 am
#269
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
Because my first flight out and last one back is the TATL, I don't have leg to EWR/ORD/IAD to make sure that there is at least one UA leg. I know there are sometimes issues issuing a 016 ticket with out any UA flights on it.
Mar 14, 2015, 11:28 am
#270
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: KDEN
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, BA GGL
Posts: 110
Don't like it
I'm 0/3 with the new system on C->F upgrades and not pleased with this change. 
On all three flights there was F inventory right up to departure but it didn't clear electronically. With the new system, there is nothing that can be done at the airport even though there is space and you have the upgrade (albeit electronically). Previously, this was no problem whatsoever - all you had to do was go to the agent and ask.
This is a change I do NOT like. And in my experience, a devaluation of the program.
Bring back paper or make it work right up to departure with electronic.
On all three flights there was F inventory right up to departure but it didn't clear electronically. With the new system, there is nothing that can be done at the airport even though there is space and you have the upgrade (albeit electronically). Previously, this was no problem whatsoever - all you had to do was go to the agent and ask.
This is a change I do NOT like. And in my experience, a devaluation of the program.
Bring back paper or make it work right up to departure with electronic.