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}
Apr 21, 2018, 4:24 pm
#1801
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, DL Platinum, UA Gold, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 89
I'm trying to do a multi-city this fall DEN-GLA, then return LIS-DEN. No R class availability is showing at the moment. I often don't take the risk of applying and waiting for an upgrade, but is this the path that makes the most sense? Maybe I'm just too far out?
Apr 22, 2018, 7:08 am
#1802
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
SAN-IAH-MSY on April 13: RPU did not clear.
MSY-IAH-SAN on April 16: RPU did not cLear
Both RPUs redeposited before miles posted.
Second try of using one of those RPUs but I have more upcoming travel so there is still hope.
GPUs have been applied and still waiting for all to clear except two that have taken. Been noticing a tend that GPUs are clearing much closer to departure date.
MSY-IAH-SAN on April 16: RPU did not cLear
Both RPUs redeposited before miles posted.
Second try of using one of those RPUs but I have more upcoming travel so there is still hope.
GPUs have been applied and still waiting for all to clear except two that have taken. Been noticing a tend that GPUs are clearing much closer to departure date.
Last edited by Aussienarelle; Apr 22, 2018 at 11:32 am
Apr 22, 2018, 7:10 am
#1803
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
My experience over the last couple of years is that UGs clear much closer to departure date.
Last edited by Aussienarelle; Apr 22, 2018 at 11:31 am
Apr 22, 2018, 1:07 pm
#1804
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
For SFO-EWR, with some flexibility, this never used to be a problem. For the past two years, it always is a problem -- no upgrades are available at booking time even months ahead. For me, it's a joke. As a result, I've found myself flying Jet Blue and Delta more on this route with the additional advantage that I can go to JFK instead of EWR
Apr 22, 2018, 2:50 pm
#1805
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I’ve been seeing the standard $299 TOD upgrade available showing up months in advance of TCON flights now. Seems to be linked to P inventory. Just did a W—>P $299 upgrade for an SFO-EWR flight in late May. It’s not clear whether lower fare classes are also upgradable, but given inventory is almost always P>PN>R good luck using RPUs on future PS flights.
Apr 22, 2018, 4:19 pm
#1806
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
W fares are $309 to $354, plus Q schedules, on SFO/EWR. But the sellup is fixed-fee so yes, with a carefully plotted G fare you could pay more like $430. However, it comes at the cost of being a technically non-refundable fee which is not part of the coupon value (forfeit in the case of any voluntary change), earns zero PQD and no additional RDM, and sometimes also earns no additional PQM. For the same amount of planning, I would argue the $659 P fare is the better deal at least 75% of the time.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:14 pm
#1807
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
The issue is not the cost, it’s that many corporate travelers will get booked in the Y cabin and then can buy up to J on their own. Technically this has been possible forever with GG BUYUP if you get the right agent, but most travelers probably were unaware of it. Now it’s sold front and center in the app so I expect more upgrades to sell, more to happen spontaneously, and even fewer seats to go to RPUs especially before the gate.
Apr 23, 2018, 1:01 pm
#1808
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: 3,621
Closer to departure date? I have had all of the few that have cleared in the last year at T24hrs or less. A few have even cleared after I boarded! As far as getting them to clear on PS flights, that is getting as rare as hen's teeth now.
Apr 23, 2018, 1:09 pm
#1809
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:37 pm
#1810
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I do seem to have a higher success rate with GPUs.
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
RPUs take a number of attempts. I think the problem with the RPUs is that as they are domestic flights and generally through hubs then GS rank higher than me for priority but have been #1 or #2 on my most recent RPU flights.
So in fairness if you are talking about RPUs do agree more often at the gate, and due to discussions on FT I watch the app if I am #1 on the UG list. However, I have had a couple of RPUs take a week or so out.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:48 pm
#1811
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
I suspect Ausienarelle was referring to domestic instrument upgrades being much tougher than upgrades on GPU only routes. A sentiment I share. This thread was originally entitled "RPUs are Useless Nowadays" and I think that's more accurate.
Apr 25, 2018, 3:13 pm
#1812
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: 3,621
I typically fly more domestics routes now so yeah probably my RPUs on average less than GPU's on the international flights. But having said that I have not cleared a GPU in almost 2 years now. If there is no R space at booking I can't/won't risk having them not clear and be stuck in E+. I have had it happen several times now and these old bones can't take a TATL or a TPAC and then have to work as soon as I hit the ground.
Apr 25, 2018, 3:37 pm
#1813
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
I typically fly more domestics routes now so yeah probably my RPUs on average less than GPU's on the international flights. But having said that I have not cleared a GPU in almost 2 years now. If there is no R space at booking I can't/won't risk having them not clear and be stuck in E+. I have had it happen several times now and these old bones can't take a TATL or a TPAC and then have to work as soon as I hit the ground.
Apr 25, 2018, 7:02 pm
#1814
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,118
GG Fareup to move up on waitlist?
will I improve my chances (move up on the waitlist rank) if I fareup inside the 24 hour window?
Apr 25, 2018, 7:07 pm
#1815
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
edit: actually to respond literally to your question, yes.