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}
Dec 10, 2014, 7:35 am
#1
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Hi everyone,
Last year, we indicated that we were working to make electronic the paper-based process to request Global Premier Upgrades on flights operated by Lufthansa. Today we are launching a new online portal for these upgrades on most Lufthansa flights, which enables customers to request and confirm GPUs as early as time of ticketing.
You can find complete information on the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com, but here are some brief highlights about the transition to the new process:
Please visit the updated Lufthansa GPU page on united.com for full details, terms and conditions. Gute Reise!
-UA Insider
Last year, we indicated that we were working to make electronic the paper-based process to request Global Premier Upgrades on flights operated by Lufthansa. Today we are launching a new online portal for these upgrades on most Lufthansa flights, which enables customers to request and confirm GPUs as early as time of ticketing.
You can find complete information on the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com, but here are some brief highlights about the transition to the new process:
- Lufthansa GPU requests will be electronic: No more paper certificates. Starting today, you may go to the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com to learn more about the process and link to an online portal where you can request your upgrade. The request may be made as soon as your ticket is issued, up to 10 hours before flight departure.
- Please note: The online process works for flights marketed with a Lufthansa flight number (e.g. LH431). For codeshare flights marketed by United (e.g. UA8837, operated by Lufthansa), please contact the MileagePlus Service Center to make the request, rather than going online.
- Paper certificates remain valid for a very limited time: Lufthansa will retain limited capability to accept paper certificates for flights through January 31, 2015. However, acceptance is at Lufthansa’s discretion and may vary based on station capability, so we highly recommend you convert to the online process as soon as possible. If you currently have paper certificates already issued for future flights, please mail them back to using the return address on the front of the certificate, with a request that they be re-deposited to your account for future use. After today, we will no longer issue paper certificates.
- Lufthansa handles clearance priority: Your request may be confirmed instantly if upgrade seats are available. If upgrade seats are not available, you may choose to be placed on Lufthansa’s internal upgrade waitlist.
- Please note: Currently, waitlist requests will remain valid until 10 hours before departure. If Lufthansa does not clear your upgrade request by this time, we will automatically re-deposit the GPU into your account.
-UA Insider
Dec 10, 2014, 7:39 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
So....do we have visibility into the LH UG buckets? Are they I (biz) and O (first) or something else?
Wonder if this will be a crap shoot...if we can't see the buckets ahead of the requests, I see a lot of flyers booking, checking, and canceling w/in 24 hours if not confirmed.
Wonder if this will be a crap shoot...if we can't see the buckets ahead of the requests, I see a lot of flyers booking, checking, and canceling w/in 24 hours if not confirmed.
Dec 10, 2014, 7:40 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Posts: 1,567
Per this page, the non-eligible fare classes are: L, T, X, I, R, N, S, W, Z, P, K, O, ID, AD, IP and V. Looks like they subtly made the change and now Q and above is only eligible for GPU Upgrades!!!
Dec 10, 2014, 7:44 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2012
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Posts: 462
Good news overall and solves the problem of day of departure scrambling.
Dec 10, 2014, 7:44 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,937
N (non-eligible) is the lowest Premium Economy fare. That's a bummer.
Dec 10, 2014, 7:56 am
#6
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Dec 10, 2014, 8:06 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
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Posts: 3,930
I'm going to assume that this will work the same way - with no waitlist.
Dec 10, 2014, 8:09 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 258
the page states:
...in order to upgrade from Lufthansa Economy or Business Class to the next higher cabin.
If they consider Premium Economy the next higher cabin, then GPU's have just been downgraded a lot.....
...in order to upgrade from Lufthansa Economy or Business Class to the next higher cabin.
If they consider Premium Economy the next higher cabin, then GPU's have just been downgraded a lot.....
Dec 10, 2014, 8:11 am
#9
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The wording doesn't seem to indicate if you would be able to waitlist GPUs or if they will still work the same as always (either confirm or re-request at a later date). If waitlist is possible, you won't have to wait until the gate.
I'm going to assume that this will work the same way - with no waitlist.
I'm going to assume that this will work the same way - with no waitlist.
Both are right in UAI's post - yes you can waitlist; but if they don't clear by T-10 hours, they basically expire and you're SOL
Dec 10, 2014, 8:18 am
#10
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This is an improvement in the process but a massive downgrade overall.
1. No waitlisting at the gate. If you haven't cleared at 10 hours, you don't get an upgrade.
2. No longer eligible on V fares. That can be a very big jump from V to Q.
3. It appears that on aircrafts with PE, you upgrade to PE, not business (although this has yet to be confirmed).
Yet another MP downgrade.
1. No waitlisting at the gate. If you haven't cleared at 10 hours, you don't get an upgrade.
2. No longer eligible on V fares. That can be a very big jump from V to Q.
3. It appears that on aircrafts with PE, you upgrade to PE, not business (although this has yet to be confirmed).
Yet another MP downgrade.
Dec 10, 2014, 8:22 am
#11
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This is an improvement in the process but a massive downgrade overall.
1. No waitlisting at the gate. If you haven't cleared at 10 hours, you don't get an upgrade.
2. No longer eligible on V fares. That can be a very big jump from V to Q.
3. It appears that on aircrafts with PE, you upgrade to PE, not business (although this has yet to be confirmed).
Yet another MP downgrade.
1. No waitlisting at the gate. If you haven't cleared at 10 hours, you don't get an upgrade.
2. No longer eligible on V fares. That can be a very big jump from V to Q.
3. It appears that on aircrafts with PE, you upgrade to PE, not business (although this has yet to be confirmed).
Yet another MP downgrade.
Dec 10, 2014, 8:22 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Posts: 439
How funny, I called for a paper GPU last week, it arrived yesterday. The agent I spoke with said they had no idea when or if this electronic system would happen. It appears that United does not keep their employees, who are supposed to provide customer service, informed. I'll mail it back and try the electronic UG. Will have to call in because its a code share.
The fact that the UG list expires at T-10 hours to flight blows. Unless they plan on clearing the list at T-10 giving out all the remaining UG seats. I don't think LH tries to upsell UGs the way UA does at check in.
When I ticket next week and call in for this, what are the odds the agent has no idea what I am talking about?
The fact that the UG list expires at T-10 hours to flight blows. Unless they plan on clearing the list at T-10 giving out all the remaining UG seats. I don't think LH tries to upsell UGs the way UA does at check in.
[*]Please note: The online process works for flights marketed with a Lufthansa flight number (e.g. LH431). For codeshare flights marketed by United (e.g. UA8837, operated by Lufthansa), please contact the MileagePlus Service Center to make the request, rather than going online.[/LIST][/INDENT]
-UA Insider
-UA Insider
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Dec 10, 2014 at 10:08 am Reason: Merge
Dec 10, 2014, 8:30 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Funny that GPU requests must be made (unless R is available at the moment) at least 24 hours ahead on united, but only 10 hours ahead on Lufthansa.
OK, not funny. Kinda sad.
OK, not funny. Kinda sad.
Dec 10, 2014, 8:33 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
You expected UA to make is easier to take LH flights????
So, if I don't clear at t-10, can I then, before I check-in try to do a SDC to UA metal that I might upgrade on? Can I do it after I check in?
Just when I thought the LH DEN-FRA flight was going to be my 'ticket', they make me buy more expensive fares and looks like for a lesser upgrade- on just one flight not a trip.
The more I see, the more I think either UA and LH hate each other or together they hate UA fliers that have the audacity to buy Y fares.
When will I be able to buy UA codes for LH metal and pick my seats?
So, if I don't clear at t-10, can I then, before I check-in try to do a SDC to UA metal that I might upgrade on? Can I do it after I check in?
Just when I thought the LH DEN-FRA flight was going to be my 'ticket', they make me buy more expensive fares and looks like for a lesser upgrade- on just one flight not a trip.
The more I see, the more I think either UA and LH hate each other or together they hate UA fliers that have the audacity to buy Y fares.
When will I be able to buy UA codes for LH metal and pick my seats?
Dec 10, 2014, 8:36 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
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How funny, I called for a paper GPU last week, it arrived yesterday. The agent I spoke with said they had no idea when or if this electronic system would happen. It appears that United does not keep their employees, who are supposed to provide customer service, informed. I'll mail it back and try the electronic UG. Will have to call in because its a code share.
The fact that the UG list expires at T-10 hours to flight blows. Unless they plan on clearing the list at T-10 giving out all the remaining UG seats. I don't think LH tries to upsell UGs the way UA does at check in.
The fact that the UG list expires at T-10 hours to flight blows. Unless they plan on clearing the list at T-10 giving out all the remaining UG seats. I don't think LH tries to upsell UGs the way UA does at check in.