Feb 27, 2019, 11:55 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays"
Archive thread "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
Archive thread "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
"Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
Nov 13, 2017, 8:40 pm
#1501
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
You guys are the worst! LOL. I will say. Just save it for the game this Saturday. We'll see who's "Junior"
Nov 14, 2017, 8:26 am
#1502
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I've been trying to get some answers pertaining to the last bit of your post. If you've requested a GPU on a reservation and SDC, does the GPU carry over? I've been told numerous times that GPUs can't be applied within 24 hours, but can't get an answer if the SDC returns it and would require a reapplication.
I've got a SIN-LAX-IAH trip coming up and it's filling up, but SIN-SFO-IAH looks a lot more likely so I'd like to try and SDC to that and have my GPU request carry over. Is this a possibility?
I've got a SIN-LAX-IAH trip coming up and it's filling up, but SIN-SFO-IAH looks a lot more likely so I'd like to try and SDC to that and have my GPU request carry over. Is this a possibility?
That's not correct. They can be applied within 24 hours. They are just not supposed to be waitlisted. Though an accommodating agent may disregard this rule if you're lucky.
But SDC for the upgrade really only works if you're SDC'ing into open R. That's going to be a rarity on any SIN flight.
None of this can be done online... phone agents only.
Nov 14, 2017, 8:42 am
#1503
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 362
I ended up making changes at T=72h, and again at T<24h. Both times, no issues with the phone agents to get the GPU's re-applied. Though my data point involved the GPU's clearing instantly into PN (forced by GS phone agent) at T<24h.
None of this can be done online... phone agents only.
None of this can be done online... phone agents only.
The only way it can succeed is if there is open R space on the new flight - then you can SDC and directly re-apply the GPU. But how often is there open R space on a flight at T-24?
If anyone has found a way to work round this, I'd love to hear it. But I haven't.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:01 am
#1504
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
Nov 14, 2017, 9:09 am
#1505
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
This may be correct for GS and PN. But for lowly 1Ks, it doesn't work. If you have a GPU waitlisted and then you SDC, your GPU does not carry over and it can't be re-waitlisted because by definition you are within 24 hours for the SDC and GPUs can't be waitlisted within 24 hours - it's a catch-22.
The only way it can succeed is if there is open R space on the new flight - then you can SDC and directly re-apply the GPU. But how often is there open R space on a flight at T-24?
If anyone has found a way to work round this, I'd love to hear it. But I haven't.
The only way it can succeed is if there is open R space on the new flight - then you can SDC and directly re-apply the GPU. But how often is there open R space on a flight at T-24?
If anyone has found a way to work round this, I'd love to hear it. But I haven't.
I didn't realize that a GPU couldn't be applied at T<24 without R>0... that stinks.
I will be relegated to the cattle cabin (Y) full of 1K's next year, so I had better pay attention to these little details.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:09 am
#1506
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Santa Fe
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 108
This may be correct for GS and PN. But for lowly 1Ks, it doesn't work. If you have a GPU waitlisted and then you SDC, your GPU does not carry over and it can't be re-waitlisted because by definition you are within 24 hours for the SDC and GPUs can't be waitlisted within 24 hours - it's a catch-22.
The only way it can succeed is if there is open R space on the new flight - then you can SDC and directly re-apply the GPU. But how often is there open R space on a flight at T-24?
If anyone has found a way to work round this, I'd love to hear it. But I haven't.
The only way it can succeed is if there is open R space on the new flight - then you can SDC and directly re-apply the GPU. But how often is there open R space on a flight at T-24?
If anyone has found a way to work round this, I'd love to hear it. But I haven't.
I imagine there are plenty of ways to get from A-B on international legs with open seats in J, but the R space is key. Does anyone use Expert Flyer and set alerts for R space? Beg the agent to waitlist the GPU and cross fingers?
Nov 14, 2017, 9:12 am
#1507
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Yes I do. I set it to alert for both R and P. My searches are for int'l itineraries, and I have been using this service for most of the year... only had it alert me once in about 15 queries (including the P searches). Yikes!
Nov 14, 2017, 9:18 am
#1508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,993
We will welcome you to the game of the Devil's pińata. The 1K benefits are there for the taking. A lot of them are hanging 20 feet above you and you have a 2' stick.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:21 am
#1509
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
EF doesn't provide R alerts. It has no access to that information from UA.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:22 am
#1510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,352
The best you can do is set an alert for I space. R should be* >= I, so if your alert triggers, you should be able to get an upgrade -- but you'll miss situations where R > 0 and I = 0.
* I feel like we've seen an occasional report of I > 0, R = 0, but, in the vast majority of cases, UA will open the buckets in order.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:29 am
#1511
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
Nov 14, 2017, 9:34 am
#1512
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United GS; AA EXP; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 174
If you have a GPU waitlisted and then you SDC, your GPU does not carry over and it can't be re-waitlisted because by definition you are within 24 hours for the SDC and GPUs can't be waitlisted within 24 hours - it's a catch-22.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:39 am
#1513
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
Nov 14, 2017, 9:40 am
#1514
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Times have changed.
I agree... $699 is steep for OLCI upgrade for that route... would be surprised if that last spot disappeared due to someone buying at this price.
Nov 14, 2017, 9:58 am
#1515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
That's insane. AS offers TOD at check-in for $50 on this route.
