Waited a full week, automatic refund never occurred and it seemed like the system was saying the upgrade was cleared to Polaris even when it was not. Had to call in and it was a bit of a pain but they did push a refund through manually.

Never used PlusPoints before so I have some basic questions.
I just made a reservation (Economy Toronto-Poland return) and am trying to use PlusPoints to do an upgrade.
United website says "You can also view existing reservations and select “Upgrade” on united.com or from the mobile app"
I'm viewing the existing reservation and there is no "Upgrade" link. There is however an "Upgrade cabin". When I click on it, it says "

This reservation is not eligible to be upgraded.

Is that it? Game Over? Why would it not be possible? Or have I clicked the wrong link? This reservation includes United flights across the Atlantic, by the way.
I'll have a look to see if I can determine if a reservation is eligible for upgrade before I book. I can still cancel this one (it's fully refundable).
Thanks!

What fare code are you booked in?

Fare Class United Economy (B)

Yes but best to use your MP account on the ticket until you clear or delay change to credit to LH as long as possible.
Otherwise, you will appear as a no status friend of a UA elite traveller. Bottom of the priority waitlist.

The UA operated legs are upgradeable (so make sure the TATL are UA operated) and should be doable online but call if you are having problems

Okay, thanks. The trans-Atlantic flights are definitely UA

Another question: I just tried this again by specifying first that I wanted to do a PlusPoint upgrade when I first search for a flight (under Advanced Search). I see now it can waitlist me for an upgrade to Business/First for 80 points each way, both on YYZ-EWR and EWR-MUC. What happens if I get through the waitlist on the shorter flight but not the longer flight? It will cost me 80 PPs to upgrade only YYZ-EWR? That is not a good deal. Any way to avoid that?

Thanks. Plenty of PZ space available so no issues with the waitlist.

OK way to find a flight but book without that advance search option. It could mess up things (in multiple ways).

It will charge the correct amount for what actually clears .
Such as 20 for YYZ-EWR (if UA operated), if that leg is the only leg that clears
Explained here

80 PPs , so sub-W fare?

If you wait till booked, you or the phone agent can be selective where to apply the PlusPoints

It's a B fare, so yes, 80 points. Okay, I understand how the segments work. Thank you very much.
I'll make sure this is all double checked on the phone.

Edit: I called United and that is indeed an easy way of doing things. They were able to waitlist me for upgrades on just the segments I wanted and even tell me where I was on the upgrade list.

Another question (forgive me, still haven't used Pluspoints) : if I see that a PlusPoints upgrade isn't Waitlisted, i.e. has a green tick and says "Available" then I am guaranteed that upgrade and no GS or fare-paying customer can muscle me out of it? Just checking. Thanks again.
Edit: Just called United, they confirmed that Available means I get it for sure. Great! I'll leave this here for other newbies.

Does booking a TAL flight with open PZ space and using PP for upgrades effect the PQPs?
It seems if I book say a H class ticket PBI-LHR return, using the " upgrade with PP" advance search to find available (not waitlist) PZ seats, the PQPs show lower than just doing a straight search without upgrades.

Does that mean the PP upgrades effect the actual PQPs ( even though the ticket price is the same) or is it just the website showing the PQPs wrong when doing the advance search?

Would it be best to just book the flight first ( still choosing the PZ open flights ) and then adding the the PP to upgrade after booking? Does it cost the same 30 PP to do it after book as it does during booking?

thx !

Using PlusPoints to upgrade should have no impact on PQPs, PlusPoints does not change the paid fare.

The use of " upgrade with PP" advance search has some funnies. That might be the cause of what you are seeing.
IMO while one might use that to find flights, it is best not to book flights that way and apply the PZ afterwards.

If a TATL Economy (H fare) to Business, it should be 40 PlusPoints, 30 Pluspoints is for PremiumPlus (O,A,R fare) to Business.

Awesome , thanks!
I have 320 PP to get rid of , so 40 PP E/W no big deal :)

A quick Plus Points question: Can they be used on a flight booked before the expiration date, but that flight departs after the expiration date?

For example, if I have a flight that departs March 2022, can I use PP that expire Jan 22 now if I have already booked?

Thanks!

No
Believe if you attempt to, those expiring Jan 2022 PlusPoints will not show

UA may in November / December allow some Jan 2022 to be extended a number of months. PreCOVID it common for UA to do that