I can't wait to see how this plays out... Flying Dec 2nd DEN-LAX-PVG on W fare, and back on Dec 7 on R/B fares PVG-SFO-DEN. Both ways using GPU's.

United missed the ONE THING lacking in this program of "free upgrades", the ability to confirm at time of booking. Sure they are saying it will be available, but at a cost. Thanks for the reward for our loyalty. We still have to play the waiting game unless we want to shell out xxxx amount of points, depending on the whims of the dynamic upgrade pricing matrix for "skip and grab your ankles".

There is no change to the ability to confirm at booking. If PZ space is available, you will confirm immediately. I have used 20+ GPUs, and only ever waitlisted one long-haul segment (P->O on LH, during the brief window where it worked). It cleared.

Point taken, but someone who rarely clears on any GPU's or RPU's segment I wish I had your ability to find the flights and fares where you clear automatically, much less with over 20 GPU's.

I'm pretty sure it will be dynamic (as you've already suggested), based on availability of PN or ZN inventory. So I think 1Ks will finally have access to that coveted inventory, albeit at a price that's at least 3x a normal request.

I'd be ok with that, back to the E-500 days, but in a different format.

While there are some downsides to this, for the most part I am a fan, especially since I was thinking about how on earth to use 6 GPUs when I will probably have all of 1 flight that I could realistically use it on next year (and on a route / flight that has zero chance of having PZ space in advance). Problem solved - use the 'Skip Waitlist' on the one flight I need it on (which will save me upwards of $2k, judging from the pricing today), use them in Premium Plus where possible, and burn the rest via 'Skip Waitlist'. It's a lot more personal benefit to me than handing it out to friends. I don't mind missing the domestic upgrade leg either, as I am EWR-based and would never get upgraded on the hub-hub routes (EWR-SFO/LAX/IAH) I would need to fly to get somewhere else internationally, and the vast majority of destinations I can get to from EWR itself.

I would generally think that FTers would be a fan of this change, as it means they need to strategize / get clever about how best to maximize the new system :) And I second whomever said that adding a credit card that could earn PlusPoints would definitely be one I would consider adding to the wallet down the road, should UA decide it wants to go this route...

Any idea on how many Plus Points a 1K would receive if their flight is delayed by 5 hours or wifi isn't working on the plane? My understanding is that at present UA provides award miles or eMCOs in those instances, but suspect some on this forum would much rather get a couple PlusPoints passed their way instead.

Safe Travels,

James

There's no special ability. It's just perseverance, flexibility, and the willingness to travel at unpopular times and/or connect. (Admittedly, it does help to have a very understanding boss).

I suspect that some people will take that in a heartbeat, although probably not without grousing a bit about the high price. :)

I mean, they already have this system. It's called TODs.

You'd think so too. However, I think people are conditioned to look for the catch.

Zero, just as they would get zero RPUs or GPUs today.

Lifetime 1k - No Change
 

To us 1k lifers that don't fly much anymore, this is no change.

I still have yet to see an RPU let alone a GPU.

One of my coworkers guesstimated 160k per, i.e., two per year. That may be spot on. And I agree, many would jump at that option.

Perhaps but PlusPoints is different from certs in the sense that UA can now offer increments of upgrades. Right now UA can't offer you quarter of a GPU or a half of an RPU when IRROPs occurs. Under the new system they can. And those 10 PlusPoints (i.e. quarter of a GPU cert in old system) can make a real difference depending on what you're trying to upgrade. All I'm saying is I sure hope UA offers more opportunities to earn this mythical PlusPoints (perhaps bonus on the UA Explorer Card after hitting designated spend?). All I am saying to UA is you have another tool at your disposal to soothe us frequent travellers who will ultimately be inconvenienced by you due to IRROPs and other things which to quote a particular Oscar Munōz makes passengers "pissed off at the world... when you sit down".

I'm not saying, I'm just sayin,

Safe Travels,

James

Thanks for the update.

The few extra months of grace UA's afforded in the past is greatly appreciated but certainly not expected.

I can finally upgrade these cheap G fare TPAC's to Polaris :) Albeit at a hefty price of upgrade points.

Overall, I like the flexibility of this new upgrade program. A+

What do you mean? You aren't getting them? Or they are not clearing?

Wait...did I miss an announcement from Delta and/or American about their new points-based upgrade system?