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}
#316
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Yes you need 2 seats in the I inventory bucket, alternatively it will go into waitlist and clear later.
#317
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
#318
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
5 hours before flight SFO-MUC, upgrade is available, booked in LH stock.
Can I request GPU upgrade?
Can I request GPU upgrade?
#319
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, T-10h is the cutoff for 1K GPUs.
#320
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 1M, AA 0.9M, DL 0.5M
Posts: 16
Is there any reason to have my ticket reissued by UA when it's showing "A modification has been made..." when traveling on LH?
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
#321
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Is there any reason to have my ticket reissued by UA when it's showing "A modification has been made..." when traveling on LH?
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
#322
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I'm a 1K and interested in upgrading D->F on LH.
What is the chance of getting an upgrade SFO-FRA and FRA-SIN on Fridays? I would normally book midweek departures when hoping for an upgrade, but in this case, I need to fly on Fridays.
What is the chance of getting an upgrade SFO-FRA and FRA-SIN on Fridays? I would normally book midweek departures when hoping for an upgrade, but in this case, I need to fly on Fridays.
#323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Applied GPU on SFO FRA LH successfully. Online upgrade worked like charm.
However I had to cancel the entire ticket. GPU never redeposited. It's been 10 days now.
However I had to cancel the entire ticket. GPU never redeposited. It's been 10 days now.
#324
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
#325
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Is there any reason to have my ticket reissued by UA when it's showing "A modification has been made..." when traveling on LH?
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
#326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,044
Is there any reason to have my ticket reissued by UA when it's showing "A modification has been made..." when traveling on LH?
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
Background:
I purchased a ticket on 016 stock for LH flight numbers in premium economy, applied GPUs and the outbound has cleared which resulted in the out of sync ticket. Everything looks fine on the LH site but would appreciate any guidance. I'm reluctant to call UA for a reissue if not necessary (it's been showing the modification state for a week). Is it safe leave things as is?
Thanks for any advice.
#327
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
GPU availabilty on Lufthansa with expertflyer?
Is it possible to see what flights can be upgraded in advance using expertflyer on LH metal?
#328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
#329
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 409
#330
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
Is the best method of gauging whether an upgrade can be confirmed at booking to see whether there is LH Biz or First award space available on United.com(or LH.com as well)?