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}
#1441
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 102
Does the Gulf Air (GF) flight look OK on their site?
The only coupon that should be out of sync would be the one for the LH flight, which LH will correct and re-sync at some point, likely prior to check-in (at which point, this message will disappear). The coupon for the GF flight should be still open. Until the ticket is reissued, the old ticket is still valid for travel.
If we still had access to the Saudia site, we could tell for sure. Alas...
The only coupon that should be out of sync would be the one for the LH flight, which LH will correct and re-sync at some point, likely prior to check-in (at which point, this message will disappear). The coupon for the GF flight should be still open. Until the ticket is reissued, the old ticket is still valid for travel.
If we still had access to the Saudia site, we could tell for sure. Alas...
#1442
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,889
Lufthansa Mileage Credit Denied
I booked a ticket through UA's website on LH in June.
Ticket stock was 016, all fare buckets were Q and upgraded to I using GPUs. All flights had LH flight numbers.
I never received credit for these flights, and I just tried to submit them through UA's website. I received the following information for all 4 segments:
Denied.
The fare class for this ticket is not eligible for MileagePlus mileage credit or Premier qualifying credit.
Any ideas?
Ticket stock was 016, all fare buckets were Q and upgraded to I using GPUs. All flights had LH flight numbers.
I never received credit for these flights, and I just tried to submit them through UA's website. I received the following information for all 4 segments:
Denied.
The fare class for this ticket is not eligible for MileagePlus mileage credit or Premier qualifying credit.
Any ideas?
#1443
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
From the thread's wiki
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 original 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.
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 original 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.
#1444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
Quick question - I upgraded my LH segment (BAH - FRA) next week from Business to First -- everything looks ok but the reservation on UA.com says to call to have the ticket reissued.... So I call in and the agent says that she isn't going to touch it because if she does I will lose my upgrade on LH.. Tomorrow I have a flight from DXB to BAH on Gulf Air (on the same UA ticket) - am I ok to trust the agent or should I call back?
Thanks - I tried to search the thread but didn't see any advice on tickets that got our of sync like this with a segment before the upgraded one....
Thanks - I tried to search the thread but didn't see any advice on tickets that got our of sync like this with a segment before the upgraded one....
#1445
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 102
The old segment is gone and I flew to Bahrain today without incident - fingers crossed for LH first class.... FWIW UA site still shows ticket out of sync.....
#1446
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 69
My boyfriend and I are flying CPH-MUC-MIA in December for Christmas. We're ticketed in Q class from MUC-MIA on LH and I'd like to upgrade with GPUs. We're currently ticketed on 016. I'm 1K and my boyfriend doesn't have status, but my boyfriend purchased the tickets. A couple questions:
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock?
2) Our return is on Air Canada (MIA-YYZ-CPH). Do you think there will be any issue if the outbound is reissued on LH stock?
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock?
2) Our return is on Air Canada (MIA-YYZ-CPH). Do you think there will be any issue if the outbound is reissued on LH stock?
#1447
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
My boyfriend and I are flying CPH-MUC-MIA in December for Christmas. We're ticketed in Q class from MUC-MIA on LH and I'd like to upgrade with GPUs. We're currently ticketed on 016. I'm 1K and my boyfriend doesn't have status, but my boyfriend purchased the tickets. A couple questions:
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock?
2) Our return is on Air Canada (MIA-YYZ-CPH). Do you think there will be any issue if the outbound is reissued on LH stock?
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock?
2) Our return is on Air Canada (MIA-YYZ-CPH). Do you think there will be any issue if the outbound is reissued on LH stock?
2. Nope. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. Just...watch the reservation. If segments drop off, then, call. It might be wise to check this via Air Canada's website using their PNR (reservation#) and make sure that the reservation is still showing as valid and you're able to select seats/have seats assigned.
Last edited by laxmillenial; Aug 12, 2018 at 3:29 pm
#1448
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
My boyfriend and I are flying CPH-MUC-MIA in December for Christmas. We're ticketed in Q class from MUC-MIA on LH and I'd like to upgrade with GPUs. We're currently ticketed on 016. I'm 1K and my boyfriend doesn't have status, but my boyfriend purchased the tickets. A couple questions:
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock? ...
1) Although I didn't make the reservation, do you think it's likely that if I call to make the request, United will reissue our tickets on LH stock? ...
UA may change the LH fly from UA codeshare to LH native flight number -- very, very different from changing ticket stock
As the 1K with GPUs, you will need to call to access the GPUs and get agents that have clue of what you are doing.
The return will be unchanged and therefore no problems.
#1449
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 69
Thank you both! This is useful. I will give them a call (laxmillennial, I'm the 1K, not him) and report back.
#1450
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
How to use a single GPU for CPH-MUC-SFO?
I'm flying HEL-MUC (LH metal, UA codeshare) and MUC-SFO (UA), all ticketed on UA stock, fare class: Y
Curious how I can apply a single GPU to cover both segments.
While I can upgrade MUC-SFO on UA.com (the other leg shows ineligible for upgrade), the online upgrade will only work for HEL-MUC.
It's 2.5 hrs from HEL-MUC and the only difference is a blocked off middle seat ... may not be worth the hassle
Thanks!
Curious how I can apply a single GPU to cover both segments.
While I can upgrade MUC-SFO on UA.com (the other leg shows ineligible for upgrade), the online upgrade will only work for HEL-MUC.
It's 2.5 hrs from HEL-MUC and the only difference is a blocked off middle seat ... may not be worth the hassle
Thanks!
Last edited by malgudi; Aug 14, 2018 at 1:01 pm
#1452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
And absolutely not worth it for Eurobiz.
#1453
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
Looking at a BLR-FRA-EWR as a P ticket on UA.com, books as LH755 and then UA 8839 (which is operated by LH), so to clarify I would need to call after booking to have the 2nd flight changed to LH 402, and then go to the web form and apply 2 GPU's, 1 per segment.
#1454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Yes -- but it may not be that easy, because there have been many reports upthread of UA refusing to change to native flight numbers when booked into P or Z, as UA GPUs aren't supposed to be valid on those flights.
#1455
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
it also won’t let me reserve a seat for that segment so that’s a reason to call atleast.
Last edited by tht; Aug 16, 2018 at 2:15 pm Reason: Add