Originally Posted by Andy

GPUs are Global Premier Upgrades, which can be used for upgrading on international travel. They are earned by 1Ks and UGSs.

GPUs expire at the end of January and elites get a new batch of 6 GPUs starting on 1 February; chances are that a bunch of elites are trying to use their brand new batch of GPUs. They also get 2 more GPUs for every 50K miles they fly in a year.

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...wupgrades.aspx

During one of my furloughs, I was a 1K who travelled to Europe a bit.