do it asap.... :)

Thanks for the comments. Any notes to share regarding the nonstop CHC-SFO? Its a newer route for UA on the smaller 787-8 with 28 in Polaris. The load for this route normally (it operates 3x/wk)? The 777-300 operates from Auckland, just looking to avoid the extra connection.

UA760 from DEN to MUC on April 10. Booked about 2 weeks ago in Premium Plus, and immediately did a MileagePlus + copay upgrade request. UA silver. Currently waitlisted, seat map shows 9 empty Polaris at the moment but still 2 weeks out.

PP obviously helps me a lot but I’m thinking with the dearth of international nonstops out of DEN my chances aren’t great. Thoughts?

Did you get it ?

Inventory is J7 C7 D4 Z3 P1, which means that there are only seven seats left for sale (two booked pax must have not assigned seats). Every elite with higher status already in PP, plus anyone in Y using a GS instrument, will be ahead of you. I'd say your chances are pretty close to zero.

Yes, I got it. It's 14 hours so I definitely wanted to be able to sleep flat for a few hours. This flight is so wide open right now, I am pretty surprised by it. Maybe because of Golden Week?
I didn't bother with splitting the PNR and just used money and miles. I checked again this morning and it is down to PZ2.

So I didn't change my flight for tomorrow and just got upgraded (between T-36 and T-32ish). I think I was 7th yesterday or something.

Now, I was watching yesterday's UA 63 and something interesting happened. They had 26 out of 50 seats open at first. The list had 10 people on it. However, it only cleared at the time of boarding. So I assumed that for my flight tomorrow, I would only be cleared during boarding (if I made it) and not have lounge access.

However, for my flight, a lot of the people on the list were upgraded between T-36 and T-32 and with way less seats available (in fact, everyone yesterday was upgraded, while for my flight many won't be). So I wonder why the late upgrade on that flight and not on mine. Not that I'm complaining.

Congratulations. Hope that you will enjoy the flight and Polaris lounge at IAH.
You would get the upgrade cleared for today's flight, too, if you did change your flight. Most of those on both WLs are nonrevs. You would be placed ahead of all of them in WLs. Typically, United clears the WLs down to 3 seats at T-36 h, but nonrevs are cleared at gate.

Makes sense. Though, my understanding is Premium Plus clears before all Economy even GS. At least multiple articles report as such. Not that I expect that to make much difference. International flying from Denver is the worst 😜

Your understanding is incorrect, as are all of those articles. GS instruments in Y will clear before non-GS instruments in PE.

This is very misunderstood.
It is true for normal PZ upgrades BUT PN upgrades (those for GS or flyers using GS instruments) are always ahead others, as shown on UA's chart)

Upgrade to Polaris?
 

Hey all! New to this upgrade game. I purchased a ticket from SFO > ROME that departs in 25 days (United Premium Plus R). Currently, there are almost ~28 empty seats in Polaris on my outbound flight and about ~17 on my return flight. I can "upgrade my cabin" with points + cash (20k points + $425 each way). I have about 4500 points in United but a ton in Chase that I could transfer only thing is I rarely fly United, so I would prefer to transfer if my odds are good.

I am trying to use expert mode to determine:

1. What are the options for Polaris (given no status)?
2. Will more open up?
3. What are the odds of upgrading from Premium Plus > to Polaris given the available fare classes?
4. When the upgrade might clear before transferring points.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

SFO > FCO (Seat map says 28 available in Polaris)

• J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P9, PN0, PZ0, IN0, I0, O2, ON2, A1, R0, RN0, Y9, YN9, B9, M9, E9, U9, H9, HN9, Q9, V9, W9, S9, T9, L9, K9, G0, XN9, X9

FCO > SFO (Seat map says 17 available in Polaris)

• J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P9, PN0, PZ0, IN0, I0, O4, ON4, A2, R0, RN0, Y9, YN9, B9, M9, E9, U9, H9, HN9, Q9, V9, W9, S9, T9, L9, K9, G0, XN9, X9

SFO-SIN A to J
 

Long time watcher, rare poster, thanks in advance / apologies for misses...
Lowly Silver (with a +1 no status, same PNR) both booked in PP (A) hoping for J, looking at applying miles+copay (waitlist of course) for SFO-SIN (and maybe vv but less important imo) in Mid-May, Thursday PM flight (UA1). Not seeing any options for cash only upgrade, may have something to do with it being an agency booking (A to J cash price from agency was too much).

From all my reading it looks like it's very unlikely to clear given the popularity of instruments on this route and UA waiting until the last minute to release any PZ, I spoke with UA yesterday who currently said 3x 1K on the list from PP w/instruments but we're ~6 weeks out (also why I am not posting inventory) which seems an eternity.

But for anyone with first hand experience ... Is there ... any realistic chance this could work out for us? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to FT!

I think that SFO-FCO is on Monday, April 22, but I cannot figure out the return date.
In an ideal world, you grab PZ space when it appears if mile transfer is instantaneous (PZ space will likely disappear in a few hours). You can monitor PN (and PZ) space more closely (daily) before deciding on transferring miles. Meanwhile, you can use the "date trick" to find your position on Polaris WL. If you have a good chance, transfer the miles and put yourself on WL. Do the same thing for the return trip. If it is in the middle of week, you will still have a chance.
Good luck!

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Thanks so much for the warm welcome and speedy reply!

The Return flight is on Thursday May 9. Right now, it's $1350 to upgrade in cash each way, which is a bit steep (but I flew biz last summer to Europe and know the benefits).

I am correct in understanding that my odds are good only if it is PN & PZ "fares." If that happens, I can add myself to the list. If those don't appear, is it worth going on the waitist (at least one way before)?

I am not familiar with the "date trick" - I only just learned of these other fares and expert mode last night and have been trying to understand - are you able to point me in the right direction (step by step would be appreciated)?