Controversial prediciton for 2021: 1K upgrades will clear into PN
 

Agree or disagree?

At a GS-lite, it sure would be nice. And it would hearken back to the PMUA days of two waitlists: one for 1K/GS and one for the rest, so the history is there. I personally am pessimistic, but hopeful, that it will happen.

I think given the new spend requirements an enhancement may be in store for 1K's - whether it is PN I have no clue.

Given 1Ks can now pre-board, like GS (when the GAs remember to announce it...), that would be nice. Somehow, though, I doubt it happens.

It would certainly make sense: now that they have cleared out the hoi-polloi like me, (and this time I suspect they really will reduce the numbers) they will need to improve the offering.

It would be nice for sure but I don't see UA doing that either

I don't see this happening. GS and 1K are still different w:)rlds.

What would UA's motivation to provide 1Ks general access to PN? Understand why a 1K would want that, but why would UA do this?

Would not GS see this a major devaluation (more so than allowing 1Ks to preboard after GS) and lead to GS defections? Is less GS and happier 1Ks are winning game for UA?

General 1K Upgrades into PN? Doubtful. However, maybe 1K upgrades from PP into Polaris could clear into PN.

Maybe "Jump the Waitlist", or has that already been decided??

You can already jump waitlist with PlusPoints but only on certain routes?

But does it clear as long as there is a seat available or is PN (or some other fare class) availability required?

1Ks are eligible for StW
See the below link for how it operates - seems to be using ZN

UA is just piloting the program starting 1 Feb, have no doubt more routes will be opened but also doubt it will ever be certain on any route.
Skip the waitlist (STW) questions

Or another bucket code between R and PN for 1Ks so as not to P.O. the GSs, but still give some preference to 1Ks?

Still, I'm not sure UA wants to give up the incremental revenue derived from miles and co-pay upgrades to make instrument upgrades for 1Ks easier.

Yes, more likely to create a 1K only fare class similar (non-)availability to today's PZ and all else would waitlist an even less available inventory.
That is something I could believe could happen. But more complexity in the presently broken system is probably not high on the priority list.

I'd be cool with 1Ks clearing into PN if they would let GS clear into P :D