Difficult to see equivalent of one GPU per Plat moving the needle at all. Which would be in lieu of two RPU. Especially given upgrade lower priority.

I reject the Malthusian theory of MP benefits. It's also contra the spirit of FT.

I'm wondering how the expiry dates of the points work during the transition period.
1. I have four RPU's that expire in January 2020.
2. I also have half a dozen GPU's that expire in 2021 (but no older ones).
3. On Dec 4, my certs will convert to points, some of which expire in 2020, some in 2021.
4. I have a TATL flight (purchased in V class) on Dec.20, 2019.
5. I can waitlist a 2021expiry-GPU for my Xmas flight today, but the 2020-expiry RPUs are inapplicable until Dec.4.

I think I understand up to here. So my question is :
6a. If I do 5, and I am still waitlisted on Dec 4, will this upgrade-formerly-known-as-GPU convert to 2020-expiry points or will they remain as 2021-expiry points on Dec.4?
6b. Same question, except if the GPU has cleared before Dec4 (although my flight will not be until Dec20), will I be given fewer 2021-expiry points, or will the computer deduct the points from my 2020-expiry pot, when it converts on Dec 4?

I'm trying to work out whether I should waitlist now or after Dec4 (to avoid confusion). I'd rather not use a long-expiry GPU on the Xmas flight, but I would love to use up my short-expiry RPU's. The agent on the phone seemed to emphatically recommend waitlisting now. She didn't know the answer to my question, although she agreed that it would make sense, and be in line with previous policy, to pull from the oldest points, although it might have to be manually requested.

I see no reason to wait. The system will choose your earlier expiring certificate or points. Though you should double check it's been done correctly as there are occasionally errors.

I'm looking for good ideas on general strategy on the confluence of 1/2020 expiring instruments and the desire for personal travel 12/24-12/30. Why would I book J flights that I would ordinarily book around now TATL or TPAC (I don't partake in the upgrade lottery, thanks) instead of wait to 12/4 and book Y OR PP + points and save lots of money? Am I missing something?

There's enough to work through with the existing program that there's no need to speculate about benefits that are highly unlikely ever to come up or to matter. In most cases, people would be better off taking the travel certificates anyway.

This, on the other hand, is a possibility -- but if they do this, and they don't limit it to Platinum / 1K / GS members, expect an uproar on FlyerTalk, and further expect some of these doom and gloom predictions about lack of availability to start coming true... unless the ratio is so bad as to be worthless ($10K spend / 1 upgrade point?)

I suspect your friends may get less generous if these points actually turn out to be worth something.

And I really wish people would stop saying "Kettle," especially to refer to lower fares. The notion that only a country bumpkin would travel inexpensively is, frankly, offensive.

The fact that there will likely be extremely limited upgrade availability, including StW, for those travel dates?

I also wonder if GS will find it harder to clear with a bunch of 1Ks doing skip waitlist..

No, but I promise you that there will be GSes who will be absolutely certain that this is the reason whenever they don't clear, just as there are people who are certain that people are purchasing $19 upgrades that they're not being offered.

Poppycock! :D

NH/LH?
 

What does this do for GPUs that can be used on ANA and Lufthansa flights today, albeit applied in a different way than how they work on UA ?

Any change to transferability (i.e. upgrade-a-coworker) expected?

I would suspect it will continue to be separate upgrades for separate carriers.
no change -- the points will be pulled on request (different than UA flights)
no
However, to use the new feature skip the waitlist (see wiki) you will have to be on the PNR/

No. Only "Skip the Waitlist" requires the 1K sponsoring the upgrade to be flying with anyone else using the StW perk. Otherwise, the points can be used to support an upgrade for anyone.

-RM

When do converted PlusPoints expire
 

I didn't see this answered - i have GPU / RPU expiring on Jan 31 2020. They will get converted on 12/4. When will they expire? Still 1/20 or longer?

It has been discussed a few times actually. But the points will expire on the same schedule the GPU/RPU would have expired.

If you have RPU/GPU expiring Jan 31, 2020 then the PPs you receive when they are converted on December 4 will also expire Jan 31, 2020.

If you earn RPU/GPU this year based on earning Plat/1K status then those certs expire in 2021. The PPs earned by the conversion on December 4 will expire Jan 31, 2021.

I don't know yet how UA will show PPs and when they expire on their website but I imagine the two lines they have now for "RPU" and "GPU" will be replaced with "PPs expiring in 2020" and "PPs expiring in 2021". Maybe...

-RM

This thread's wiki has a good summary of most aspects

Your unused GPU/RPUs will be converted to points plus in December. And those points will expire if unused at the end of January 2020. No word yet if requalifying 1K/GS will be able to extend some points.

So no change in expiration.