That is news to me. Maybe it is just a GS benefit, but I have always received my GPUs/RPUs back when I make a voluntary change, even if I was confirmed in the upgraded cabin. Unless you mean something else by saying "points" instead of GPU/RPU.

I sort of wish they would do this conversion sooner than Dec. 4. I've already hit 1k for the year, and I have 2 GPUs left from this year (as well as multiple RPUs), and I'm trying to figure out my strategy for applying them for my remaining flights this year. Without the assurance of an April carryover, it would be so much better to waitlist all of my flights, and know that the first cleared upgrade would take from the soonest-expiring pile, rather than clearing on 1/2021 expiring GPUs but not 1/2020 expiring ones. (This is also the first year in ages that I don't have multiple longhaul flights at the end of December, when this would be particularly useful, curses!)

Under the new rules, you won't get your confirmed upgrade instrument back if you make a voluntary change. That is the devaluation point.

Basically they have invented another currency which they can monetize and devalue easily.

One use I hope they open up is redeeming these points for Polaris Lounge access for travel companions who are not in J.

If most people view this as a plus, then I see a bad news coming :D This is the time of the year when more difficult qualifying criteria are announced.

I only see that language where you requested it through the Skip process. Please point me to the language if you just request a normal upgrade with 20/30 or 40 points. I can't find it.

Perhaps UA Insider can confirm: if you make a voluntary change (SDC, cancel, etc) do you get your points back if you were confirmed in an upgraded cabin through a normal upgrade request (not Skip)? Thank you

Ooooh good question!

If I ‘ve read all of this correctly, my current RPUs will convert to PPs on 12/4 and be available until the end of Jan. Nice, pretty quick benefit for me.

And now we know why RPUs were maxed out at 4 this year! I think I earned 20 last year. If all those had been converted to PlusPoints, I'd be swimming in them!

I interpreted this (from the FAQ) to mean you can't get it back:

Quote:

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Can I cancel a confirmed upgrade request?

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Of course, they may interpret this differently, but if you do SDC do an itinerary that doesn't have any UG space, you would be cancelling a confirmed upgrade request. More clarification would be good on this.

Under the current scheme I have the flexibility to search for upgradable W fares and apply a GPU on transpacific routes when PZ>0. Is this still the case with the PlusPoints system?
I'm not totally clear whether we can still search and select these upgradable fares and confirm an upgrade with a GPU (now PlusPoints) right away or whether you would have to use 'skip the waitlist' feature?
I liked the flexibility to search for W fares and apply a GPU in the past to Asia routes (say EWR-NRT Polaris) and call in and book and apply the upgrade. I never booked a ticket where the segment would be 'waitlisted' as the chances of clearing were not that great and like to visit the Polaris lounge before my flight with a confirmed Upgrade.

I apologize if this question has been answered already but i've read many pages in this thread and can't seem to find the answer.
Thanks.

I think it's pretty clear that there will be no changes to the current process. You can still book a W fare, and use 40 points (previously 1 GPU) to confirm into available PZ space.

The "skip the waitlist" feature is about flights where PZ is not available, and whether you can pay extra to confirm anyway. Whether RM will reduce the availability of PZ as part of it remains to be seen.

Right. I think this is a semantics issue and not a rule change. You can't currently "cancel" an upgrade on the same flight (though some agents have allowed a downgrade if the underlying economy fare code was still available). That won't change with points. But you have always been able to SDC or cancel the flight and get the upgrade back (I think of this as being very different than just cancelling the upgrade). Also, I just re-read the terms, and since they highlight the nonrefundable feature of Skip, my bet is normal upgrades with points will be treated as they are now. SDC or cancel and you get your points back. Clarification would be great.

Although I could eat humble pie, 99% certain you get the points back for non-skip confirmed upgrades where you SDC or cancel.

UA Insider, Can you clarify what happens to my points if I have an itinerary where my upgrade has cleared and I then choose to change or cancel the leg or whole itinerary?

I suspect the bad news will mostly be received experientially. We're already seeing a change to waitlist processing on instrument-only routes (waitlist not processed until T-24). We may also see a reduction (or complete elimination) of advance PZ.

Makes sense. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Yes, I guess that's the 'unknown' part. Will PZ space shrink with the 'skip waitlist feature'. For the most part i've been able to find reasonable fares and apply GPU's as I have flexibility. I hope this continues.