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}
Jun 17, 2015, 12:44 pm
#361
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midwest
Programs: Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 261
Thank you! I followed your advice and all turned out well. Whew.
Jun 18, 2015, 12:41 pm
#362
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
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
Jun 18, 2015, 1:12 pm
#363
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
Has anyone seen/gotten a response from UA that they are aware of the issue and are planning to fix it? Especially since we need to have UA coded flights to get PQDs, that would be most likely necessary.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
Jun 19, 2015, 3:00 pm
#364
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Looking for some advice from those who have been through this process before. I had requested an upgrade for LAX-FRA which was recently confirmed (yay! -- got email from UA and both LH and UA websites show I class). However, my reservation also has the "Modification made to your itinerary" message on united.com. I'd like to get the ticket reissued to clean things up because I am also wait listed for a GPU on UA-operated FRA-SFO for the return and it is my understanding that upgrades will not process when your reservation is out of sync. Having said this, I'm nervous to call to have it reissued given all of the warnings about not making changes to your itinerary. Anyone been down that road before? Also, now that I am confirmed, is it possible for me to select a seat on the LH-operated segment? If like to be upstairs on the 748-i if possible.
Jun 19, 2015, 5:37 pm
#365
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
I'm nervous to call to have it reissued given all of the warnings about not making changes to your itinerary. Anyone been down that road before? Also, now that I am confirmed, is it possible for me to select a seat on the LH-operated segment? If like to be upstairs on the 748-i if possible.
Jun 20, 2015, 8:45 pm
#366
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Thanks -- got the seat selection taken care of by calling in (couldn't do it online for some reason). Still wondering about having UA reissue the ticket however. Ultimately I'd like to make sure I'm not passed over for FRA-SFO because of an out of sync reservation.
Jun 21, 2015, 11:09 am
#367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Has anyone seen/gotten a response from UA that they are aware of the issue and are planning to fix it? Especially since we need to have UA coded flights to get PQDs, that would be most likely necessary.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
-RM
Jun 21, 2015, 2:44 pm
#368
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 2
PQM for I-class?
Now, as the ticket is showing as an I-fare class due to GPU upgrade to Biz Class and it is an LH-flt (not UA coded), my UA account says it is NOT eligible for PQM. WhaT!??? Crazy...
Jun 22, 2015, 1:09 am
#369
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Take a look at the ticket on saudia's website using the ticket number. If the segments are stickered correctly there you should be fine.
Jun 22, 2015, 3:38 am
#370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,090
Has anyone seen/gotten a response from UA that they are aware of the issue and are planning to fix it? Especially since we need to have UA coded flights to get PQDs, that would be most likely necessary.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
I haven't seen UAInsider chime in on this thread despite it seeming to be constantly active with issues.
I have booked a UA ticketed flt and one leg of it is an LH flt. I made sure to book in Q class so I can apply GPU. Long story short... GPU went through perfectly fine with the UA agent. It was a UA-ticketed, UA-coded flt in Q-class at booking. After the call with United, the UA-coded flt was first converted to LH flt and ONLY then the GPU could be applied.
Now, as the ticket is showing as an I-fare class due to GPU upgrade to Biz Class and it is an LH-flt (not UA coded), my UA account says it is NOT eligible for PQM. WhaT!??? Crazy...
Now, as the ticket is showing as an I-fare class due to GPU upgrade to Biz Class and it is an LH-flt (not UA coded), my UA account says it is NOT eligible for PQM. WhaT!??? Crazy...
Jun 22, 2015, 11:01 am
#371
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 497
When e-ticket updates go badly
I've read Oliver2002's guidance on what to do if the eticket isn't updated properly. My question is does the guidance of having LH call the "Eticket Help Desk" apply if the ticket is from United (016 ticket stock)?
Here is my story. I flew from BOS to MUC earlier this month. Originally I was supposed to fly via Zurich (BOS-ZRH-MUC) with outbound on United. Then continue to Munich. Return was booked non-stop from Munich to Boston via Lufthansa (Lufthansa with proper Lufthansa flight #, but ticketed on UA ticket stock.) I applied for upgrade with electronic GPU on the return Lufthansa flight from Munich and was confirmed immediately into "I" Class.
Then, my plans changed. I no longer needed to go to Zurich, so the outbound was changed to go BOS-MUC round trip. Outbound still on United via IAD, return the same flight on the same day from Munich. The UA agent worked at great lengths to try to keep me confirmed in upgraded business ("I" Class) on the return. Only my outbound flight/routing had changed, but my return was still the same.
After about an hour on the phone, I had my revised itinerary completed, reticketed, etc. Reservations still showed me in upgraded Biz class on LH>
Outbound, I take my flight with no issues. Managed to upgrade on UA with GPU.
Return...I had massive problems at checkin. LH App or Online would not let me check in via PNR. When I tried to use my MP # to check in, it tried putting me into coach.
Called Lufthansa and they said it was UA ticket, so I had to call them. Called United and was on the phone for nearly 2 hours. They came back after the first 90 minutes and said that I could not be checked in because the ticket # used for the upgrade / GPU was no longer the ticket number I was flying on. My ticket # had changed when I dropped the ZRH segment on the outbound.
UA stated the only way I could get an upgrade was to try to apply for an upgrade again. I'm about 16 hours before departure at this time. This was a huge risk as I had no idea if any upgrades were available.
The agent proceeded to cancel my original segment and record. I got a "Cancellation" email about the upgrade form United. Then, about 20 minutes later, I get a new email saying I'm confirmed. I have a new PNR and ticket number, now in I class.
So in the end it worked out, but only because there was still availablility on the flight the day before departure. Had there not been availability I would have been screwed.
So my question is...if you have upgraded a return segment with this process, but then something happens on the outbound where the ticket needs to be reissued with new ticket #, do I really lose the upgrade? IN this case, the flight I was flying on didn't change at all. Same date, time, fareclass, etc. But it seems the new system gets confused and can't get updated if the ticket changes for some reason. If true, I see this as a huge issue if you have an IRROPS experience on the outbound which requires a new routing and therefore new ticket #...even if the return, upgraded flight is the same.
Second question...could all of this have been solved by me going to the LH checkin agent at the airport and tell them to call the Eticket Helpdesk to sticker the UA ticket? Can LH sticker a UA ticket (016 ticket stock?) Or can they only do this to LH tickets (220 ticket stock)?
Here is my story. I flew from BOS to MUC earlier this month. Originally I was supposed to fly via Zurich (BOS-ZRH-MUC) with outbound on United. Then continue to Munich. Return was booked non-stop from Munich to Boston via Lufthansa (Lufthansa with proper Lufthansa flight #, but ticketed on UA ticket stock.) I applied for upgrade with electronic GPU on the return Lufthansa flight from Munich and was confirmed immediately into "I" Class.
Then, my plans changed. I no longer needed to go to Zurich, so the outbound was changed to go BOS-MUC round trip. Outbound still on United via IAD, return the same flight on the same day from Munich. The UA agent worked at great lengths to try to keep me confirmed in upgraded business ("I" Class) on the return. Only my outbound flight/routing had changed, but my return was still the same.
After about an hour on the phone, I had my revised itinerary completed, reticketed, etc. Reservations still showed me in upgraded Biz class on LH>
Outbound, I take my flight with no issues. Managed to upgrade on UA with GPU.
Return...I had massive problems at checkin. LH App or Online would not let me check in via PNR. When I tried to use my MP # to check in, it tried putting me into coach.
Called Lufthansa and they said it was UA ticket, so I had to call them. Called United and was on the phone for nearly 2 hours. They came back after the first 90 minutes and said that I could not be checked in because the ticket # used for the upgrade / GPU was no longer the ticket number I was flying on. My ticket # had changed when I dropped the ZRH segment on the outbound.
UA stated the only way I could get an upgrade was to try to apply for an upgrade again. I'm about 16 hours before departure at this time. This was a huge risk as I had no idea if any upgrades were available.
The agent proceeded to cancel my original segment and record. I got a "Cancellation" email about the upgrade form United. Then, about 20 minutes later, I get a new email saying I'm confirmed. I have a new PNR and ticket number, now in I class.
So in the end it worked out, but only because there was still availablility on the flight the day before departure. Had there not been availability I would have been screwed.
So my question is...if you have upgraded a return segment with this process, but then something happens on the outbound where the ticket needs to be reissued with new ticket #, do I really lose the upgrade? IN this case, the flight I was flying on didn't change at all. Same date, time, fareclass, etc. But it seems the new system gets confused and can't get updated if the ticket changes for some reason. If true, I see this as a huge issue if you have an IRROPS experience on the outbound which requires a new routing and therefore new ticket #...even if the return, upgraded flight is the same.
Second question...could all of this have been solved by me going to the LH checkin agent at the airport and tell them to call the Eticket Helpdesk to sticker the UA ticket? Can LH sticker a UA ticket (016 ticket stock?) Or can they only do this to LH tickets (220 ticket stock)?
Jun 22, 2015, 2:51 pm
#372
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
I had extensive conversations (measured in hours) with the third level "support" agent @ UA who is responsible for liaising with her counterparts at LH in NY and Germany to make this all work.
They know that this piece of it is still a mess, and they are actively trying to improve it.
I spent a lot of time with her, in part, because I knew a lot of details about the reservation that my agent had booked, and we were collectively able to trace what had happened and why things appeared the way they did, and get it fixed. I successfully cleared both transatlantic segments.
That being said, it did not keep me from having problems getting PQD posted for the return. I called shortly after the return when the miles posted but it was "ineligible" for PQD. They went through it and kicked it upstairs, saying "Sorry, we see that you should have them, but it will take 4-6 weeks."
After 7 weeks with no PQD, I called back. The agent was very helpful, and I spent a fair amount of time on hold, but she came back and said "So sorry, we see what was supposed to happen but can't tell why it didn't happen. My supervisor will take care of it." 3 days later, it still showed "ineligible" but I had a PQD adjustment posted, and I was showing up as above the threshold.
Fortunately, now I don't have to worry about it, and can just book LH segments until 2016.
Greg
Last edited by greg99; Jun 22, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Jun 22, 2015, 2:55 pm
#373
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
LH can only exchange a 016 document into a 220 stock ticket and then mess around with it. But they will rarely do that, but ask you to contact UA, especially before departure. Yes, when you rebook, the upgrade needs to be reversed, the segments reinstated in the original booking class (which sometimes is not available!), reissue the ticket, then upgrade via the *A system again. Of course if I/O is not available you are SOL.
Jun 23, 2015, 8:56 am
#374
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
At this point I'm tempted to just wait until after I have flown the LAX-FRA leg tomorrow, but I'm still nervous about being skipped over (i.e. R opens up but my upgrade does not clear) on FRA-SFO on 6/29 (UA-operated) because my reservation is out of sync. Thankfully UA is not very generous with opening R class for that flight, but I've certainly had it clear ahead of time before!
Jun 23, 2015, 9:00 am
#375
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
So my question is...if you have upgraded a return segment with this process, but then something happens on the outbound where the ticket needs to be reissued with new ticket #, do I really lose the upgrade? IN this case, the flight I was flying on didn't change at all. Same date, time, fareclass, etc. But it seems the new system gets confused and can't get updated if the ticket changes for some reason. If true, I see this as a huge issue if you have an IRROPS experience on the outbound which requires a new routing and therefore new ticket #...even if the return, upgraded flight is the same.
- LH upgrade processes for outbound flight
- Currently waitlisted for GPU on UA-operated flight for return segment a few days later
- UA reservation shows "A modification has been made to your itinerary..." message, but can not reissue due to fear of losing upgrade
- GPU will not process on out of sync tickets so any GPU will not clear when R class opens up, leaving it available for anyone else to grab