Feb 12, 2018, 2:25 pm
Last edit by: drewguy
There are no complimentary upgrades on "Polaris" or premium transcon service or Hawaii (to/from ORD/EWR/IAD/IAH) flights for elites. Elites need to support their upgrades with Plus Points or miles+copay. A complete table is here
Some international flights are CPU eligible (mainly North American)
On very rare occasions if a lower cabin is overbooked, some passengers (usually by elite status) will be operational upgraded (op-up'ed)
Consolidated - Chance of Operational Upgrade (Op-Up) on my flight?
did united ever offer complimentary upgrades on international routes?
Some international flights are CPU eligible (mainly North American)
On very rare occasions if a lower cabin is overbooked, some passengers (usually by elite status) will be operational upgraded (op-up'ed)
Consolidated - Chance of Operational Upgrade (Op-Up) on my flight?
did united ever offer complimentary upgrades on international routes?
Complimentary upgrades when UA's PremPlus / Polaris cabin(s) are open? (No)
Jan 7, 2021, 10:20 am
#121
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Jul 29, 2021, 4:24 am
#122
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
PlusPoints or CPU
Hey All,
I'm new to being a United 1K and was hoping for some advice as to whether to use Plus Points or hope for a CPU.
I'm flying FCO -> EWR on July 31, and am #3 on the upgrade list. The flight shows 7 seats open in Polaris. I can (i) "cancel" my Plus Points Upgrade, and just hope to upgrade to Polaris based on my 1K status, or (ii) use the PlusPoints to get the upgrade.
What's the best way to think about this?
Thank you!
I'm new to being a United 1K and was hoping for some advice as to whether to use Plus Points or hope for a CPU.
I'm flying FCO -> EWR on July 31, and am #3 on the upgrade list. The flight shows 7 seats open in Polaris. I can (i) "cancel" my Plus Points Upgrade, and just hope to upgrade to Polaris based on my 1K status, or (ii) use the PlusPoints to get the upgrade.
What's the best way to think about this?
Thank you!
Jul 29, 2021, 6:47 am
#125
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...s/upgrade.html
There are nuances, but the basic principle I commit to memory is CPU only for North America except premium transcon (EWR/JFK-SFO/LAX) and long Hawaii (DEN/IAH/ORD/IAD/EWR). If you fly around Oceania there is more to remember.
Jul 29, 2021, 8:20 am
#126
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(No flight marketed as Polaris Business will have CPUs).If a non-CPU flight is overbooked in economy, and the instrument-supported upgrade list is empty, then (and only then) will they upgrade passengers from economy based upon status -- this is considered an operational upgrade rather than a CPU. If it is not overbooked in economy, they will allow the seats in J to go unused.
Personally, I wouldn't ever risk it -- even if you were pretty sure that a flight was going to be oversold, and that you'd get an op-up, all it takes is one family extending their trip for a day, or missing their ride to the airport, or whatever, and you could end up in a completely full Y cabin.
Jul 29, 2021, 8:23 am
#127
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The other consideration is, what else are you going to do with the Plus Points? They're not especially easy to burn these days.
Jul 29, 2021, 8:59 am
#128
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Jul 29, 2021, 9:53 am
#130
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Ditto, and at 20 PlusPoints per domestic flight and 600+ PlusPoints banked it will be very hard to burn them all, but I am trying hard.
Jul 29, 2021, 10:43 am
#131
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I got a easier one. As soon as the scheduled flight time 1) does not exceed 6 hours; 2) is neither p.s./TPAC/TATL, then the flight is CPUable.
Jul 29, 2021, 10:50 am
#132
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Jul 29, 2021, 11:09 am
#133
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Jul 29, 2021, 11:14 am
#134
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
The short answer is, most flights where you'd really like a CPU aren't eligible. (No flight marketed as Polaris Business will have CPUs).
If a non-CPU flight is overbooked in economy, and the instrument-supported upgrade list is empty, then (and only then) will they upgrade passengers from economy based upon status -- this is considered an operational upgrade rather than a CPU. If it is not overbooked in economy, they will allow the seats in J to go unused.
Personally, I wouldn't ever risk it -- even if you were pretty sure that a flight was going to be oversold, and that you'd get an op-up, all it takes is one family extending their trip for a day, or missing their ride to the airport, or whatever, and you could end up in a completely full Y cabin.
(No flight marketed as Polaris Business will have CPUs).If a non-CPU flight is overbooked in economy, and the instrument-supported upgrade list is empty, then (and only then) will they upgrade passengers from economy based upon status -- this is considered an operational upgrade rather than a CPU. If it is not overbooked in economy, they will allow the seats in J to go unused.
Personally, I wouldn't ever risk it -- even if you were pretty sure that a flight was going to be oversold, and that you'd get an op-up, all it takes is one family extending their trip for a day, or missing their ride to the airport, or whatever, and you could end up in a completely full Y cabin.
Jul 29, 2021, 11:22 am
#135
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Only Hawaii - California flights (and vv) are CPU'able. Many (but not all) of those are standard domestic first class. Yes, there are exceptions, but it's a good rule of thumb -- routes that you really want CPUs on -- long-haul to Hawaii, trans-Oceanic, ps flights -- are not CPU-eligible.