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}
May 4, 2019, 1:30 am
#2566
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
Had a big booking day used the following upgrades, completely out of RPU and GPU in the first 5 months, and now using points to upgrade
YYC-ORD RPU
ORD-YYC RPU
MKE-IAH RPU
IAH-MKE 15000 points
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
Now here is a side question the 2 YYC-MEL trips do not show the PQM PQS PQD on the receipt, I had 1K on the line for another reason and they confirmed they were both over 18000 each PQM
Any tips on where I would see these , the tickets upgraded to PZ at booking so even the original shows no PQM
Not showing in the future flights PQM chart either in mileageplus, not a deal breaker as they are in the system but would like to see them
YYC-ORD RPU
ORD-YYC RPU
MKE-IAH RPU
IAH-MKE 15000 points
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
Now here is a side question the 2 YYC-MEL trips do not show the PQM PQS PQD on the receipt, I had 1K on the line for another reason and they confirmed they were both over 18000 each PQM
Any tips on where I would see these , the tickets upgraded to PZ at booking so even the original shows no PQM
Not showing in the future flights PQM chart either in mileageplus, not a deal breaker as they are in the system but would like to see them
May 4, 2019, 7:38 am
#2567
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
The best that you can do is to plot out an identical path on United.com and look at the values it tells you. The PQM earning information is frequently missing from the receipt.
May 4, 2019, 8:52 am
#2568
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
Applied RPU to LAX-SFO for end of May. Waitlisted. Got to start burning these things.
May 4, 2019, 2:23 pm
#2570
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
Had a big booking day used the following upgrades, completely out of RPU and GPU in the first 5 months, and now using points to upgrade
YYC-ORD RPU
ORD-YYC RPU
MKE-IAH RPU
IAH-MKE 15000 points
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
Now here is a side question the 2 YYC-MEL trips do not show the PQM PQS PQD on the receipt, I had 1K on the line for another reason and they confirmed they were both over 18000 each PQM
Any tips on where I would see these , the tickets upgraded to PZ at booking so even the original shows no PQM
Not showing in the future flights PQM chart either in mileageplus, not a deal breaker as they are in the system but would like to see them
YYC-ORD RPU
ORD-YYC RPU
MKE-IAH RPU
IAH-MKE 15000 points
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
YYC-MEL GPU
MEL-YYC GPU
Now here is a side question the 2 YYC-MEL trips do not show the PQM PQS PQD on the receipt, I had 1K on the line for another reason and they confirmed they were both over 18000 each PQM
Any tips on where I would see these , the tickets upgraded to PZ at booking so even the original shows no PQM
Not showing in the future flights PQM chart either in mileageplus, not a deal breaker as they are in the system but would like to see them
I find it easiest to use gcmap when UA doesn't give the PQM estimates. It is off by a mile or two in some cases, but typically I don't find that to be an issue. If you need exact PQM, jsloan's advice is correct.
PQD can be inferred on a trip basis from the receipt (the airfare). The per-flight apportionment logic is not publicly known, I don't believe.
May 4, 2019, 2:34 pm
#2571
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
May 4, 2019, 3:07 pm
#2572
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
May 6, 2019, 5:36 am
#2573
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
May 6, 2019, 5:37 am
#2574
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
May 6, 2019, 10:02 am
#2575
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
May 6, 2019, 11:23 am
#2576
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
May 6, 2019, 1:38 pm
#2577
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
As you probably know last year I applied them basically to everything I booked and still ended up eating something like 10 instruments so I feel your pain and frustration. I must admit it has been a different story this year as a GS pax. The one benefit of GS that I have clearly noted is instrument definitely clear easier, even out of SFO.
May 6, 2019, 1:49 pm
#2578
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
If PZ>0, then you clear at booking. Otherwise, it will likely go to the gate, unless there is surplus inventory in the 2-3 weeks leading into departure. I don't like gambling either on these upgrades.
May 6, 2019, 3:50 pm
#2579
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Believe me I understand how GPUs work - I am just a bit incredulous that you would find PZ>0 on any route to Australia, as you can rarely find saver business class award seats, at least last time I checked.
May 6, 2019, 4:09 pm
#2580
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
Stopped doing that years ago and don't like playing the W Lottery. Finding PZ (R) space is like finding a Unicorn. Having said that I am planning a MEL trip later this year (in Dec) and will check on PN space which is probably not going to be much better.