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 28, 2015, 3:39 am
#286
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PVG
Programs: SK*G, QR*G
Posts: 514
I have confirmed upgrade FRA PVG on OSL FRA PVG. Will I get C class baggage allowance (2x32kg) ?
Mar 28, 2015, 9:40 am
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Apr 3, 2015, 10:43 am
#288
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,040
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.^^^
Apr 8, 2015, 12:39 am
#290
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: SKEBB, UA Plat. , Club Carlson Red, Hilton Diam.
Posts: 42
GPU Cancellation Glitch and UA staff challenge
Search did not result in finding of similar post.
Had a ticket booked on Lufthansa stock for CPH-FRA-HKG-FRA-CPH. (booked via Amex Travel). 2 GPUs applied and waitlisted on both segments. Ticket had to be re-booked. 1st leg GPU immediately processed with cancellation confirmation received and GPU re-deposited within seconds. Nothing for 2nd leg. Waited a number of days to see if it would sort out by itself. No luck, and then the fun began.
1) Wrote MileagePlus to ask them to investigate. Speedy response asking me to contact reservations to have the certificate cancellation processed.
2) Called DK contact number - Reservation agent kept saying "I don't understand, I don't understand / Hung Up
3) Called DK Contact Number - Reservation agent insist on speaking French. / Hung Up
4) Called DK Contact Number - Reservation Agent insist on speaking Italian / Hung Up.
5) Called 1K line in US - Very nice agent who transferred me to reservations. Reservation Agent started complaining that it was a difficult request and he had to get a supervisor. Put on hold. After 10 minutes on hold I hung up.
6) Called US reservations directly, immediately told agent that I had a "difficult" request with a GPU in limbo that had to be cancelled. Gave all the details to the agent who put me on hold working on the issue - Coming back to me every 2 minutes, just to inform me he was still working on the issue. After a total of 18 minutes on hold, agent came back and confirmed some extra details and the GPU was finally cancelled and re-deposited.
Anyone else had similar issues with the electronic certificates? (and not least, UA staff?)
Had a ticket booked on Lufthansa stock for CPH-FRA-HKG-FRA-CPH. (booked via Amex Travel). 2 GPUs applied and waitlisted on both segments. Ticket had to be re-booked. 1st leg GPU immediately processed with cancellation confirmation received and GPU re-deposited within seconds. Nothing for 2nd leg. Waited a number of days to see if it would sort out by itself. No luck, and then the fun began.
1) Wrote MileagePlus to ask them to investigate. Speedy response asking me to contact reservations to have the certificate cancellation processed.
2) Called DK contact number - Reservation agent kept saying "I don't understand, I don't understand / Hung Up
3) Called DK Contact Number - Reservation agent insist on speaking French. / Hung Up
4) Called DK Contact Number - Reservation Agent insist on speaking Italian / Hung Up.
5) Called 1K line in US - Very nice agent who transferred me to reservations. Reservation Agent started complaining that it was a difficult request and he had to get a supervisor. Put on hold. After 10 minutes on hold I hung up.
6) Called US reservations directly, immediately told agent that I had a "difficult" request with a GPU in limbo that had to be cancelled. Gave all the details to the agent who put me on hold working on the issue - Coming back to me every 2 minutes, just to inform me he was still working on the issue. After a total of 18 minutes on hold, agent came back and confirmed some extra details and the GPU was finally cancelled and re-deposited.
Anyone else had similar issues with the electronic certificates? (and not least, UA staff?)
Apr 8, 2015, 9:10 am
#291
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
I've had multiple issues of upgrades going wrong when reservations change. Always takes time to resolve. I think everything is way over-complicated (and staff perhaps not empowered), so when there's something unusual (especially stuck in the system) it's not at all unusual to have to go through surpervisors and spend a lot of time. FWIW, I never call the foreign numbers, I always call 1K in the U.S. -- where they're generally competent and almost always trying to be helpful.
Apr 8, 2015, 9:20 am
#292
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
If you stuck with #5, you would have gotten #6, and yes 5/6 are typical. :S
Apr 13, 2015, 5:30 am
#293
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,040
Here is what happened to me today...
This is my third SEA-FRA trip and back this year the previous two booked as LH. I am falling a little behind in PQDs so this time I book on 016.
About two weeks ago I call united to upgrade using a GPU. It takes about 20 minutes (as they had to call LH and associate LH flight numbers as mentioned in this thread) but everything looks good...I get a confirmation email and I go to the LH site and change my seats.
Today I go to check-in and LH says I can't because united has not reissued my ticket. The GA calls united who tells her that we are not allowed to use GPUs on LH flights. I tell the GA to hang up and call the 1K line for her. The 1K agent tells her everything looks fine on her end and the LH GA tells her it is not. This goes on for about 15 minutes. They end the call and the GA tries to call LH for the next 30 minutes. Finally the LH supervisor comes over and tells her to go to the United counter and have them issue the ticket. GA leaves comes back 10 minutes later with no ticket...tries to call UA again. LH Supervisor walks to united counter and comes back with a reissued ticket in coach for all legs...middle seat in the back of a 747.
I have been patient and nice and polite to this point (it has been over an hour and the plane is about to start boarding) but I tell her "look you say this is uniteds fault and they say everything is fine. The only thing I do know is that none of this is my fault and there is no way in hell I am going to agree to take a middle seat in the back of the plane". She asks me to come back to talk to the UA supervisor again...apparently he doesn't believe that I used a GPU (original GA is still typing on her computer while talking on the phone to LH or UA...by now I have lost track). I start to show the UA Supervisor my various GPU evidence hoping that I can show enough restraint not to shove my MacBook Pro down his throat the original LH GA calls LH supervisor and said that she was able to check me in to my original business class seat.
I am not sure what got fixed (I am not sure they know). LH supervisor was very relieved and thanked me for managing to remain calm and patient through the whole frustrating process and LH GA escorted me through security so I could make the flight (which ended up being delayed 45 mins because the cleaning screw took forever getting the plane ready).
Anyway, I am not sure how to prevent this next time. I thought I had all the confirmations in place. I have a return trip to look forward too...I am definitely going to check-in early.
This is my third SEA-FRA trip and back this year the previous two booked as LH. I am falling a little behind in PQDs so this time I book on 016.
About two weeks ago I call united to upgrade using a GPU. It takes about 20 minutes (as they had to call LH and associate LH flight numbers as mentioned in this thread) but everything looks good...I get a confirmation email and I go to the LH site and change my seats.
Today I go to check-in and LH says I can't because united has not reissued my ticket. The GA calls united who tells her that we are not allowed to use GPUs on LH flights. I tell the GA to hang up and call the 1K line for her. The 1K agent tells her everything looks fine on her end and the LH GA tells her it is not. This goes on for about 15 minutes. They end the call and the GA tries to call LH for the next 30 minutes. Finally the LH supervisor comes over and tells her to go to the United counter and have them issue the ticket. GA leaves comes back 10 minutes later with no ticket...tries to call UA again. LH Supervisor walks to united counter and comes back with a reissued ticket in coach for all legs...middle seat in the back of a 747.
I have been patient and nice and polite to this point (it has been over an hour and the plane is about to start boarding) but I tell her "look you say this is uniteds fault and they say everything is fine. The only thing I do know is that none of this is my fault and there is no way in hell I am going to agree to take a middle seat in the back of the plane". She asks me to come back to talk to the UA supervisor again...apparently he doesn't believe that I used a GPU (original GA is still typing on her computer while talking on the phone to LH or UA...by now I have lost track). I start to show the UA Supervisor my various GPU evidence hoping that I can show enough restraint not to shove my MacBook Pro down his throat the original LH GA calls LH supervisor and said that she was able to check me in to my original business class seat.
I am not sure what got fixed (I am not sure they know). LH supervisor was very relieved and thanked me for managing to remain calm and patient through the whole frustrating process and LH GA escorted me through security so I could make the flight (which ended up being delayed 45 mins because the cleaning screw took forever getting the plane ready).
Anyway, I am not sure how to prevent this next time. I thought I had all the confirmations in place. I have a return trip to look forward too...I am definitely going to check-in early.
Apr 13, 2015, 5:48 am
#294
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
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.
Apr 13, 2015, 9:51 am
#295
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Partially because of all these fiascos, I am using miles for C on LH SEA-FRA-LHR instead of $'s and GPUs.
I suffered a lot of stress over waitlisting last time around and was hoping the new process could eliminate that but seems there are more things to worry about now.
Apr 16, 2015, 7:01 pm
#296
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
So I'm at T-23 and there are at least 4 seats according to UA.com on my DEN-FRA flight, but they have not cleared.
When I look at the reservation on LH.com, before I get int the reservation, there is a pop-up window that says something about out of sequence flights? That's not good, eh?
I called LH last night to see what is happening and they said everything looked good on their side, no problems that I should be getting an email today- thought they didn't say what the outcome would be.
Do these sometimes clear right at T-10? Is that 'out of sequence' pop up something to be concerned about? Anyway I can force the upgrade because I don't want to get there and be stuck with a Y seat because of some ticket funkiness and an upgrade that didn't clear.
When I look at the reservation on LH.com, before I get int the reservation, there is a pop-up window that says something about out of sequence flights? That's not good, eh?
I called LH last night to see what is happening and they said everything looked good on their side, no problems that I should be getting an email today- thought they didn't say what the outcome would be.
Do these sometimes clear right at T-10? Is that 'out of sequence' pop up something to be concerned about? Anyway I can force the upgrade because I don't want to get there and be stuck with a Y seat because of some ticket funkiness and an upgrade that didn't clear.
Apr 16, 2015, 8:21 pm
#297
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: DFW
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, AA PLT, DL Silver
Posts: 427
The only time I've ever had those out of sequence notifications was when my GPUs clear. I suspect things are fine, and you will get good news. Please report back, and good luck.
Apr 16, 2015, 11:32 pm
#298
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
Plus this is a 747-400, so there is no premium economy to try to buy, just standard dumb Y. It's kind of a crap, shoot- and I didn't realize that I couldn't SDC to some UA metal to try to at least get E+.
A learning experience.
Apr 16, 2015, 11:39 pm
#299
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,040
.
Apr 17, 2015, 5:10 am
#300
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187