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}
Jul 1, 2017, 2:40 pm
#1036
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
On the Hawaii routes, I do think UA has found the "sweet spot" to get people to buy P fares. In the past, 1K upgrades could almost be counted on mid-week between West Coast and Hawaii. Now, a lot more effort needs to be applied to get the best outcomes through use of predicted CPU success, certificate use (at booking and predicted waitlist outcome), and P fares. I liked it better when UA over-priced F and over-supplied F seats and CPUs rained like confetti at New Years.
Jul 1, 2017, 3:29 pm
#1037
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,158
On the Hawaii routes, I do think UA has found the "sweet spot" to get people to buy P fares. In the past, 1K upgrades could almost be counted on mid-week between West Coast and Hawaii. Now, a lot more effort needs to be applied to get the best outcomes through use of predicted CPU success, certificate use (at booking and predicted waitlist outcome), and P fares. I liked it better when UA over-priced F and over-supplied F seats and CPUs rained like confetti at New Years.
Jul 1, 2017, 5:14 pm
#1038
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Jul 2, 2017, 8:45 pm
#1039
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: 3,620
common summer phenomenon.
Lots less spare capacity and takes longer to absorb any irrops.
Additionally many on standby are NRSA / employee travel benefits. Just like others, they travel more in the summer when the kids are out of school.
Many are noticing this issue -- hence this mega thread on upgrade problems. As for why
-- improved economy and more are purchasing F
-- airlines are better at managing capacity and offering more "reasonable" pricing at purchase
-- airlines are aggressive providing buy-ups, maximizing revenues
-- the upgrade structure has been tilted strong to GS elites
Net, net there is more less upgrade space for the non-GS elite
Lots less spare capacity and takes longer to absorb any irrops.
Additionally many on standby are NRSA / employee travel benefits. Just like others, they travel more in the summer when the kids are out of school.
Many are noticing this issue -- hence this mega thread on upgrade problems. As for why
-- improved economy and more are purchasing F
-- airlines are better at managing capacity and offering more "reasonable" pricing at purchase
-- airlines are aggressive providing buy-ups, maximizing revenues
-- the upgrade structure has been tilted strong to GS elites
Net, net there is more less upgrade space for the non-GS elite
As many have stated , If it's an international flight I just buy F.
On the Hawaii routes, I do think UA has found the "sweet spot" to get people to buy P fares. In the past, 1K upgrades could almost be counted on mid-week between West Coast and Hawaii. Now, a lot more effort needs to be applied to get the best outcomes through use of predicted CPU success, certificate use (at booking and predicted waitlist outcome), and P fares. I liked it better when UA over-priced F and over-supplied F seats and CPUs rained like confetti at New Years.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 2, 2017 at 11:05 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jul 3, 2017, 7:35 am
#1040
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
Among other reasons, UA will file multiple "series" of fares completely independently of each other. Using the domestic basis structure (I'm less familiar with int'l), you might have
WAA7AKEN: $199
VAA7AKEN: $229
...but then they need to match some OAL's sale, and they just file a new series for that:
WAA7AQEN: $159
VAA7AQEN: $189
...and now you have a "V cheaper than a W". They could also do the above and not do the WAA7AQEN. Random stuff happens all the time, and sometimes by mistake.
WAA7AKEN: $199
VAA7AKEN: $229
...but then they need to match some OAL's sale, and they just file a new series for that:
WAA7AQEN: $159
VAA7AQEN: $189
...and now you have a "V cheaper than a W". They could also do the above and not do the WAA7AQEN. Random stuff happens all the time, and sometimes by mistake.
Jul 3, 2017, 7:46 am
#1041
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CA, FL, and China.
Programs: UA1K (no longer serviced!), Bonvoy P, Hyatt G
Posts: 704
Just confirmed GPU for my girlfriends saver economy award from HKG-SFO. 40k miles for Polaris transpacific is not bad.
Jul 3, 2017, 10:58 am
#1042
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Jul 3, 2017, 11:38 am
#1043
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
This, of course, is the ultimate smack in the face for at least some of us. I fly weekly into EWR where even deep discount fares like T/S can run $500-$600 . UA knows what we all paid yet continues to use fare buckets to assign upgrade priority. If you want to be all the about the money, let us at least compete on the dollars not some ancient and imperfect construct.
Jul 3, 2017, 11:42 am
#1044
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Jul 3, 2017, 11:54 am
#1045
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
Jul 3, 2017, 12:02 pm
#1046
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Jul 4, 2017, 9:48 am
#1047
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 189
As a 2 MM flyer and 1K for over 20 years, I have not been able to use RPUs or GPUs at the time of ticket purchase and have a stash accumulated. I've written the 1K voice twice in the last several months and complained that these are just worthless instruments, so why do they not just get rid of them and offer something worthwhile--such as the ability to change nonrefundable tickets or premier access when our miles are used for other travelers.
Case in point, I communicated in my last 1K voice email that I am already 1K for 2018, with 125,000 PQMs thus far, and have at least another 100,000 miles of international travel for the second half of the year. I always fly in paid business class (discounted) but like to use the GPUs to take my husband or adult children with me. In checking my upcoming international flights for the remainder of 2017, there was not a single upgrade on any of a dozen flights that was confirmable at ticket purchase that could be used for my husband. I specifically noted that two flights for which I sought GPUs were to DEL in November, and there was not a single business class seat sold on either flight. However, no GPUs were available to confirm at the time.
I told the 1K desk (and have started this plan already) that I will not fly United for the remainder of 2017 because the inability to use the GPUs or RPUs is insulting--why should I show any loyalty when the only thing that flying an additional 100,000 miles on United this year will get me is more GPUs that I can't use? I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. I use Qatar for all Asia destinations.
I received a note back telling me that they could tell that I was displeased with the upgrade policy.....(You think so?), and that they would make sure my displeasure was communicated to top management personnel, but they could not release a GPU for the DEL flight.
Am I missing something as to why I should continue to fly on United after achieving 100,000 this year, especially since I am a 2MM flyer and have a lifetime of group 1 boarding, etc. I've seen domestic upgrades auctioned off at the gate ("If anyone wants to upgrade for $99, come see us at the podium.") when my RPU is wait-listed. I've sure had enough of this. I have elite status on Qatar as well. And, United Polaris service is still way below that for LOT especially.
Case in point, I communicated in my last 1K voice email that I am already 1K for 2018, with 125,000 PQMs thus far, and have at least another 100,000 miles of international travel for the second half of the year. I always fly in paid business class (discounted) but like to use the GPUs to take my husband or adult children with me. In checking my upcoming international flights for the remainder of 2017, there was not a single upgrade on any of a dozen flights that was confirmable at ticket purchase that could be used for my husband. I specifically noted that two flights for which I sought GPUs were to DEL in November, and there was not a single business class seat sold on either flight. However, no GPUs were available to confirm at the time.
I told the 1K desk (and have started this plan already) that I will not fly United for the remainder of 2017 because the inability to use the GPUs or RPUs is insulting--why should I show any loyalty when the only thing that flying an additional 100,000 miles on United this year will get me is more GPUs that I can't use? I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. I use Qatar for all Asia destinations.
I received a note back telling me that they could tell that I was displeased with the upgrade policy.....(You think so?), and that they would make sure my displeasure was communicated to top management personnel, but they could not release a GPU for the DEL flight.
Am I missing something as to why I should continue to fly on United after achieving 100,000 this year, especially since I am a 2MM flyer and have a lifetime of group 1 boarding, etc. I've seen domestic upgrades auctioned off at the gate ("If anyone wants to upgrade for $99, come see us at the podium.") when my RPU is wait-listed. I've sure had enough of this. I have elite status on Qatar as well. And, United Polaris service is still way below that for LOT especially.
Jul 4, 2017, 10:13 am
#1048
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CA, FL, and China.
Programs: UA1K (no longer serviced!), Bonvoy P, Hyatt G
Posts: 704
If your paid tickets alone for the rest of the year is going to be $53k, and this is ~25% less than you've already flown so far this year, why aren't you GS? Seems like GS has no issues using GPU and RPU from my experience.
Jul 4, 2017, 10:20 am
#1049
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
As a 2 MM flyer and 1K for over 20 years, I have not been able to use RPUs or GPUs at the time of ticket purchase and have a stash accumulated. I've written the 1K voice twice in the last several months and complained that these are just worthless instruments, so why do they not just get rid of them and offer something worthwhile--such as the ability to change nonrefundable tickets or premier access when our miles are used for other travelers.
Case in point, I communicated in my last 1K voice email that I am already 1K for 2018, with 125,000 PQMs thus far, and have at least another 100,000 miles of international travel for the second half of the year. I always fly in paid business class (discounted) but like to use the GPUs to take my husband or adult children with me. In checking my upcoming international flights for the remainder of 2017, there was not a single upgrade on any of a dozen flights that was confirmable at ticket purchase that could be used for my husband. I specifically noted that two flights for which I sought GPUs were to DEL in November, and there was not a single business class seat sold on either flight. However, no GPUs were available to confirm at the time.
I told the 1K desk (and have started this plan already) that I will not fly United for the remainder of 2017 because the inability to use the GPUs or RPUs is insulting--why should I show any loyalty when the only thing that flying an additional 100,000 miles on United this year will get me is more GPUs that I can't use? I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. I use Qatar for all Asia destinations.
I received a note back telling me that they could tell that I was displeased with the upgrade policy.....(You think so?), and that they would make sure my displeasure was communicated to top management personnel, but they could not release a GPU for the DEL flight.
Am I missing something as to why I should continue to fly on United after achieving 100,000 this year, especially since I am a 2MM flyer and have a lifetime of group 1 boarding, etc. I've seen domestic upgrades auctioned off at the gate ("If anyone wants to upgrade for $99, come see us at the podium.") when my RPU is wait-listed. I've sure had enough of this. I have elite status on Qatar as well. And, United Polaris service is still way below that for LOT especially.
Case in point, I communicated in my last 1K voice email that I am already 1K for 2018, with 125,000 PQMs thus far, and have at least another 100,000 miles of international travel for the second half of the year. I always fly in paid business class (discounted) but like to use the GPUs to take my husband or adult children with me. In checking my upcoming international flights for the remainder of 2017, there was not a single upgrade on any of a dozen flights that was confirmable at ticket purchase that could be used for my husband. I specifically noted that two flights for which I sought GPUs were to DEL in November, and there was not a single business class seat sold on either flight. However, no GPUs were available to confirm at the time.
I told the 1K desk (and have started this plan already) that I will not fly United for the remainder of 2017 because the inability to use the GPUs or RPUs is insulting--why should I show any loyalty when the only thing that flying an additional 100,000 miles on United this year will get me is more GPUs that I can't use? I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. I use Qatar for all Asia destinations.
I received a note back telling me that they could tell that I was displeased with the upgrade policy.....(You think so?), and that they would make sure my displeasure was communicated to top management personnel, but they could not release a GPU for the DEL flight.
Am I missing something as to why I should continue to fly on United after achieving 100,000 this year, especially since I am a 2MM flyer and have a lifetime of group 1 boarding, etc. I've seen domestic upgrades auctioned off at the gate ("If anyone wants to upgrade for $99, come see us at the podium.") when my RPU is wait-listed. I've sure had enough of this. I have elite status on Qatar as well. And, United Polaris service is still way below that for LOT especially.
Jul 4, 2017, 10:21 am
#1050
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
As a 2 MM flyer and 1K for over 20 years, I have not been able to use RPUs or GPUs at the time of ticket purchase and have a stash accumulated. I've written the 1K voice twice in the last several months and complained that these are just worthless instruments...
I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. ...
I calculated that this loss to United of my paid tickets alone--not to mention the W fare I would pay for accompanying family members--is $53,000 USD. Instead, I'm purchasing tickets on Air Canada, Swiss Air, SAS, LOT, all the while gaining PQMs and United miles, but paying them a single dollar in airfare. ...