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}
#2776
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
But again, none of that says anything about "I" availability guaranteeing an upgrade.
#2777
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
I don't think anyone here is saying "I" availability guarantees an upgrade, just that UA's policy dictates it needs to be showing "I" available if they're going to invest the to call LH to request a codeshare-to-prime conversion on an otherwise closed class of service. Whether that policy is a tacit admission that "I" availability is required to have any chance of getting a PP upgrade, is a subject of debate. Regardless it suggests that without "I" availability, the chances are extraordinarily low, to the point that UA doesn't even consider it worth investing agent time to try to get it switched by LH.
But again, none of that says anything about "I" availability guaranteeing an upgrade.
But again, none of that says anything about "I" availability guaranteeing an upgrade.
#2778
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,531
I suppose it could be instantaneous if one booked the last seat in the fare bucket (e.g. booked one ticket in U class with inventory of U1).
Will have to make sure I don't book the last seat in the fare bucket in this scenario going forward.
Will have to make sure I don't book the last seat in the fare bucket in this scenario going forward.
#2779
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
as all econ was gone, even higher fares as the OP commented higher fares were available for the second case.
But yes, buying the last codeshare fare inventory could be risky but that does not mean there is no native inventory. The inventories can be quite different.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 6, 2022 at 1:54 pm Reason: rephrased
#2780
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,531
Got it. I guess worst case if I couldn't get on the waitlist, I would just cancel within 24 hr for refund, or back to flight credit if I had used those.
#2781
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
Really annoying situation right now. Two C-->F upgrades for next year. Make the PP request, it shows the upgrade is available for both, but then errors out at the final step. Then when I try again tells me it can't find the reservation. Try again 15 minutes later, stuck in the same cycle. Called in, they say everything looks fine, try again. Argh! Not often the space is available and I just can't seem to grab it.
Call #2: "Oh, you're already in first class - it shows C and D already"
Call #3: "Are you trying to upgrade to BusinessFirst?" ... "oh, I didn't know Lufthansa had something higher than Business Class"
Now on with web support, who are, incredibly, also talking about "BusinessFirst" but are seeing the error and, I think, trying to help!... and a comedy update, after 30 minutes on hold (thank goodness I can work while listening to hold music!) she came back to tell me that the reason it's failing is that Business and Business First are the same cabin so they can't make it upgrade to Business First. I'm going to find religion soon.
Call #2: "Oh, you're already in first class - it shows C and D already"
Call #3: "Are you trying to upgrade to BusinessFirst?" ... "oh, I didn't know Lufthansa had something higher than Business Class"
Now on with web support, who are, incredibly, also talking about "BusinessFirst" but are seeing the error and, I think, trying to help!... and a comedy update, after 30 minutes on hold (thank goodness I can work while listening to hold music!) she came back to tell me that the reason it's failing is that Business and Business First are the same cabin so they can't make it upgrade to Business First. I'm going to find religion soon.
Last edited by cricketer; Nov 7, 2022 at 3:21 pm Reason: adding updates for people's amusement
#2782
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
Possible to use pp to upgrade on LH
Is it possible to use points to upgrade on an LH flight when booked through ua website?
if so, what fare bucket should I look for?
They don't list pz on LH flights.
if so, what fare bucket should I look for?
They don't list pz on LH flights.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 12, 2022 at 10:28 am Reason: moved to master thread
#2783
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,520
Short answer: yes, in some cases.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 12, 2022 at 10:28 am Reason: Clean after merge; thanks for the link
#2784
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
Note in particular the need to get native LH flight bookings, not codeshares.
#2785
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,354
Update:
Two of us cleared J to F on FRA-SFO a while back when the flight was F8.
The third was waitlisted. It just cleared around 14-15 days out when it was F4 A2 (now F3 A1).
Two of us cleared J to F on FRA-SFO a while back when the flight was F8.
The third was waitlisted. It just cleared around 14-15 days out when it was F4 A2 (now F3 A1).
#2786
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 84
My upgrade from economy to business on 1/1/2023 from Frankfurt to Buenos Aires using PlusPoints just cleared.
#2787
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
#2788
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boston
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, United Global Services/1MM
Posts: 630
I've been lucky and never had a J->F upgrade on LH not clear. The vast majority have been waitlisted no matter how booked the F cabin has been, but have always cleared for me. This past week though I thought my luck was up.
I was originally booked on a UA transatlantic flight that I needed to change a few days before departure to the direct BOS-MUC LH flight. Checking on LH.com to get a sense of how full it was said F wasn't even bookable, totally sold out. Surprisingly I was still able to get myself waitlisted for an upgrade on UA.com though and the upgrade cleared as I was walking into the airport to check in (~90 min before departure).
In the end, the we departed with one seat open in the F cabin, so I assume some last minute cancellations probably save the day for me - but it was still showing non-bookable about 2 hrs before departure.
I continue to be amazed that we are able to upgrade on NH/LH into F since UA no longer offers an intl F, but I'm happy to take advantage of it as long as we can and they keep flying the 340-600's on the MUC/BOS route. I can't seem to use the 1100+ PP's in my account anywhere else it seems anyway!
I was originally booked on a UA transatlantic flight that I needed to change a few days before departure to the direct BOS-MUC LH flight. Checking on LH.com to get a sense of how full it was said F wasn't even bookable, totally sold out. Surprisingly I was still able to get myself waitlisted for an upgrade on UA.com though and the upgrade cleared as I was walking into the airport to check in (~90 min before departure).
In the end, the we departed with one seat open in the F cabin, so I assume some last minute cancellations probably save the day for me - but it was still showing non-bookable about 2 hrs before departure.
I continue to be amazed that we are able to upgrade on NH/LH into F since UA no longer offers an intl F, but I'm happy to take advantage of it as long as we can and they keep flying the 340-600's on the MUC/BOS route. I can't seem to use the 1100+ PP's in my account anywhere else it seems anyway!
#2789
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
I currently have 5 cleared LH F upgrades for 2023 (3 of them BOS-MUC) and 1 waitlisted (BOS-MUC). It is indeed the best use of +Ps
#2790
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: KBP/TLV
Programs: UA, AE
Posts: 380
I am confused. The upgrades are one class, but not from economy to premium economy. So, what happens when I have an economy fare and apply for a PP upgrade? Most large aircraft have premium economy now.