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}
Sep 4, 2017, 3:59 pm
#1081
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 222
So I have a flight with my wife DEN-FRA on 11-05 (LH447). I have applied two GPUs but they are waitlisted. I noticed on United, you can book 3 business savers on that same flight which it says comes from I inventory. Shouldn't the GPUs also clear from I? Should I pull and reapply the upgrades or does it help to call Lufthansa? A different GPU on the same reservation already cleared, and when I now look at the United reservation it says "! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued." I call United and they tell me to call Lufthansa, I call Lufthansa and they tell me nothing more needs to be done. Any other advice?
Sep 5, 2017, 1:55 am
#1082
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
So I have a flight with my wife DEN-FRA on 11-05 (LH447). I have applied two GPUs but they are waitlisted. I noticed on United, you can book 3 business savers on that same flight which it says comes from I inventory. Shouldn't the GPUs also clear from I? Should I pull and reapply the upgrades or does it help to call Lufthansa? A different GPU on the same reservation already cleared, and when I now look at the United reservation it says "! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued." I call United and they tell me to call Lufthansa, I call Lufthansa and they tell me nothing more needs to be done. Any other advice?
Sep 5, 2017, 4:03 am
#1083
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
Previously, when a GPU cleared immediately, the segment indeed disappeared.
I've used GPUs on LH flights a fair number of times since the process went electronic, and I concluded that it does not matter what the reservation looks like on the UA site. The segment might or might not be there, it might or might not say 'a modification has been made'... As long as the reservation showed up correctly on the LH site, I was able to check in with LH.
if there is really I3 available you can take it all out and re-request it.
Sep 5, 2017, 9:56 am
#1084
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Yeah it's been noted repeatedly in this thread (including by oliver2002) that I inventory is not an absolute match for GPU inventory, just a strong indicator.
Sep 11, 2017, 10:42 pm
#1085
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 222
Okay, two more questions. When you apply the upgrades and they're on waitlist, is there anyway to see the upgrades on united.com, or do they only show up on LH.com? I selected seats on the upgraded segment with no problem. On the waitlisted flights, if they don't clear, is there a way to reserve seats in economy or does that happen at check in? Also, as an FYI, I called UA again about the "! Modification has been made..." message and the lady said "oh, you don't want us to touch it because if we do anything to the ticket, you will lose your upgrade."
Sep 12, 2017, 1:58 am
#1086
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Not true. On my last LH flight where a GPU cleared off the waitlist, the UA reservation showed the segment and 'a modification has been made'. I did not do anything and everything worked fine: I was able to check in online with LH and get a boarding pass. All the time, UA reservation was showing 'a modification has been made' and Saudi website was showing the original booking class.
Previously, when a GPU cleared immediately, the segment indeed disappeared.
I've used GPUs on LH flights a fair number of times since the process went electronic, and I concluded that it does not matter what the reservation looks like on the UA site. The segment might or might not be there, it might or might not say 'a modification has been made'... As long as the reservation showed up correctly on the LH site, I was able to check in with LH.
I being available means that awards will clear. It does not mean that a GPU will clear. See my experience upthread where I was waitlisted for months for an upgrade on a LH flight with plentiful award availability.
Previously, when a GPU cleared immediately, the segment indeed disappeared.
I've used GPUs on LH flights a fair number of times since the process went electronic, and I concluded that it does not matter what the reservation looks like on the UA site. The segment might or might not be there, it might or might not say 'a modification has been made'... As long as the reservation showed up correctly on the LH site, I was able to check in with LH.
I being available means that awards will clear. It does not mean that a GPU will clear. See my experience upthread where I was waitlisted for months for an upgrade on a LH flight with plentiful award availability.
Sep 12, 2017, 7:05 am
#1087
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
There were claims on this thread that if the Saudi site does not show the upgraded fare class, you will not be able to check in. In my experience, this is not true at all - I successfully checked in many times even though the Saudi site was not showing the upgrade. The one time it did show the upgraded class (after a complicated series of cancellations and exchanges), I had a hell of a time getting the flight credited to Mileage Plus because it looked like an award ticket.
On the waitlisted flights, if they don't clear, is there a way to reserve seats in economy
I called UA again about the "! Modification has been made..." message and the lady said "oh, you don't want us to touch it because if we do anything to the ticket, you will lose your upgrade."
I understand other people suggested you keep calling until United makes the message disappear. If you ask me, that's a good way to mess up a perfectly fine upgrade, but YMMV.
Sep 12, 2017, 8:04 am
#1088
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
I've just been told by the 1K hotline that UA does not change a UA code share flight to LH prime. Anyone knows a good way to still get it changed? The ticket was booked on united.com.
Sep 12, 2017, 8:32 am
#1089
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
HUCA and tell the agent you want to apply a GPU to a LH flight and they need to convert to the native LH flight number. They should know what to do ... takes 10-15 minutes though so don't call when you are in a rush.
Sep 12, 2017, 8:57 am
#1090
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
Don't know. I think this is the native flight number.
I'll try but I'm afraid their response will be different - I'm booked into Z. Only Miles & More Miles can be used at this time, which I do want to use!
I'll try but I'm afraid their response will be different - I'm booked into Z. Only Miles & More Miles can be used at this time, which I do want to use!
Sep 12, 2017, 1:36 pm
#1091
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
Not my day. The response I got on my second attempt: "we are no longer able to change codeshare flights to true Lufthansa flights"
Sep 12, 2017, 5:20 pm
#1092
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 421
-Mike
Sep 12, 2017, 10:53 pm
#1093
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 222
Yeah I did this about two weeks ago after booking the flights as a UA code share instead of LH. I explained a friend was applying a GPU and she converted all five flights in about 5 minutes (and I'm only a silver). But, I've noticed lately, every time I call United for the same thing I get different answers. I'd just call once or twice a day until you find someone willing and able to handle it...
Sep 12, 2017, 11:05 pm
#1094
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
Yeah I did this about two weeks ago after booking the flights as a UA code share instead of LH. I explained a friend was applying a GPU and she converted all five flights in about 5 minutes (and I'm only a silver). But, I've noticed lately, every time I call United for the same thing I get different answers. I'd just call once or twice a day until you find someone willing and able to handle it...
Sep 13, 2017, 1:45 am
#1095
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Z is not upgradable with GPUs anyway?