Upgrade with Plus Points or Miles?
 

I'm considering upgrading on a upcoming trans atlantiic trip > I can do either 20k miles + $500 or of 40 Plus Points and $500 (to upfare to W class). The Plus Points expire in July 2021 but I don't anticipate a whole lot of United travel over the coming year. Any ideas and thoughts which is the better option? How to value Plus Points vs miles ?

If you have 80pp I'd go with that.
No out of pocket cost.
​​​also right now sounds like there is upgrade space available, there is no way of knowing what the availability will be like in the future..

Agreed; 80 PlusPoints would be the clear winner for me, if that's an option. Otherwise, if upgrade space is available, I'd buy the W fare and use the PlusPoints, since they expire. If upgrade space isn't currently available, and you'd be waitlisting, I'd buy the inexpensive fare and go with co-pay plus miles, because the co-pay is refunded if the upgrade doesn't clear.

Thanks. Turns out there was a better option: Cash upgrade to Premium Economy for $200 and upgrade to business for 30 plus points. Kudos to the United rep on the phone who made this work after she couldn't upfare to W because of the way the ticket was booked.