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}
May 17, 2018, 8:54 am
#1366
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
There have been no reports of which I'm aware of UA converting P or Z to native LH flight number.
People need to realize that they are likely bumping into inventory restrictions when they try to do this. If you have a P/Z, there's a very good chance you bought a codeshare because it cost thousands less than the same flight booked under native flight number.
People need to realize that they are likely bumping into inventory restrictions when they try to do this. If you have a P/Z, there's a very good chance you bought a codeshare because it cost thousands less than the same flight booked under native flight number.
May 27, 2018, 4:01 pm
#1367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,483
How does it work if change LH flight dates after GPU application? 
I have two GPUs applied to two different LH flights; dates were changed for both LH flights; GPU is MIA now. They are not returned back to UA account nor are they on new LH flights. I have called both UA and LH both claimed the issue to be other one's. It has been like this for three days. Anything I can do?
I have two GPUs applied to two different LH flights; dates were changed for both LH flights; GPU is MIA now. They are not returned back to UA account nor are they on new LH flights. I have called both UA and LH both claimed the issue to be other one's. It has been like this for three days. Anything I can do?
May 27, 2018, 6:02 pm
#1368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
How does it work if change LH flight dates after GPU application?
I have two GPUs applied to two different LH flights; dates were changed for both LH flights; GPU is MIA now. They are not returned back to UA account nor are they on new LH flights. I have called both UA and LH both claimed the issue to be other one's. It has been like this for three days. Anything I can do?
I have two GPUs applied to two different LH flights; dates were changed for both LH flights; GPU is MIA now. They are not returned back to UA account nor are they on new LH flights. I have called both UA and LH both claimed the issue to be other one's. It has been like this for three days. Anything I can do?
May 27, 2018, 6:37 pm
#1369
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,483
All LH itinerary on 220 ticket.
May 28, 2018, 7:34 am
#1370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Have only done this w/ 016 tickets and they come back instantaneous. With 220 maybe it takes a while? UA should be able to investigate this ... it is their GPU and they should be able to call LH to figure this out.
Jun 5, 2018, 9:58 am
#1371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
Waitlisted for a GPU on a Q fare on LH740 FRA-KIX 6/24.
ExpertFlyer shows J9 C7 D2 Z0 ... G2 ... Y1
12 seats unassigned in J on the map.
Trying to decide if I should pay for a seat assignment in Y now or take my chances on the upgrade clearing. Any thoughts?
ExpertFlyer shows J9 C7 D2 Z0 ... G2 ... Y1
12 seats unassigned in J on the map.
Trying to decide if I should pay for a seat assignment in Y now or take my chances on the upgrade clearing. Any thoughts?
Jun 9, 2018, 6:00 pm
#1372
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 15
I am planning a trip to Europe.
I found UA R-fare availability for the dates I wanted for the return flight (CDG-SFO), but nothing outbound.
Instead I did find LH Q-fare tickets for outbound dates (SJC-FRA), with I-fare award availability too (which I assume means there a good chance a GPU would clear?).
My question is, how can I book this kind of mixed fare travel? I can't seem to find a way using the UA 'expert mode' to search for and book a combination of R and Q-fares on different airlines.
Any ideas? Thanks.
I found UA R-fare availability for the dates I wanted for the return flight (CDG-SFO), but nothing outbound.
Instead I did find LH Q-fare tickets for outbound dates (SJC-FRA), with I-fare award availability too (which I assume means there a good chance a GPU would clear?).
My question is, how can I book this kind of mixed fare travel? I can't seem to find a way using the UA 'expert mode' to search for and book a combination of R and Q-fares on different airlines.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Jun 9, 2018, 6:17 pm
#1373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Because the LH GPU requires the LH native flight number, I would just call to book this. Price it on ITA, and then call and read out the specific flight segments and booking codes. The order of entry into SHARES is {date, origin, destination, flight number, booking code} - if an agent is typing in this order they're doing it right. It should price at the end with the price you are expecting.
An LH flight with I space is basically a guaranteed GPU.
An LH flight with I space is basically a guaranteed GPU.
Jun 9, 2018, 6:26 pm
#1374
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 114
No. My experience: flight has lots of I space, upgrade request goes on the waitlist for months:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...l#post28697686
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...l#post28697686
Jun 9, 2018, 6:29 pm
#1375
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
As far as I can tell, that experience is unusual.. for me, I space has been sufficient but not necessary to clear a GPU on LH. However, I have booked E fares, which may get more favorable treatment by LH RM so it's hard to say. Regardless, if the flight is wide open in I, the odds of clearing (even eventually) should be good.
Jun 9, 2018, 7:03 pm
#1376
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 9
/Markus
Jun 9, 2018, 7:40 pm
#1377
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
OK, so I have a potential reservation - outbound on LH and return on AC. I can book on LH for $28 more than UA and i am in P fare for LH. If I book on LH I can then add GPU to upgrade to FC?
I have never tried this on non 016 ticket stock...how do I apply the GPU? call UA? LH? or does something come up on the LH app?
can i even book AC on LH 220 stock? I am using google flights and trying to make it work, but now not even sure if i can......
I have never tried this on non 016 ticket stock...how do I apply the GPU? call UA? LH? or does something come up on the LH app?
can i even book AC on LH 220 stock? I am using google flights and trying to make it work, but now not even sure if i can......
Jun 9, 2018, 7:50 pm
#1378
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 9
OK, so I have a potential reservation - outbound on LH and return on AC. I can book on LH for $28 more than UA and i am in P fare for LH. If I book on LH I can then add GPU to upgrade to FC?
I have never tried this on non 016 ticket stock...how do I apply the GPU? call UA? LH? or does something come up on the LH app?
can i even book AC on LH 220 stock? I am using google flights and trying to make it work, but now not even sure if i can......
I have never tried this on non 016 ticket stock...how do I apply the GPU? call UA? LH? or does something come up on the LH app?
can i even book AC on LH 220 stock? I am using google flights and trying to make it work, but now not even sure if i can......
"The following Lufthansa fare classes are eligible for Global Premier Upgrades: B, C, D, E, G, H, J, M, Q, U and Y. U.S. government fares are also not eligible for electronic Global Premier Upgrades on Lufthansa-operated flights.
HOWEVER, if you book through UA it gets trickier. You need to book on 016 ticket stock with LH flight number. This is possible through the website, but the easiest way to do so (at least that I found) is booking through google flights. If 016 ticket stock with a UA flight number (Code share), you will have to call United to change into a LH flight number.
The upgrade itself (with GPU) is requested through the United website. They have a GPU upgrade request page for ANA and LH flights. I would post an URL but I am not allowed yet, so best way to find it is through United --> Mileage Plus --> Upgrades Overview --> Scroll down to (or click on) Global Premier Upgrades --> Upgrading on flights operated by ANA and Lufthansa --> How to request --> Link
Hope that helps!
/Meckl
Jun 9, 2018, 8:03 pm
#1380
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Can't answer your first question. Could be tricky with no UA segment on the itinerary, since UA doesn't recognize the ability to GPU an LH P fare and people have thus had trouble calling in that request.
Can you pull up the reservation on united.com with no UA segment on the itinerary?