SDC on a multi segment trip where points were originally applied can’t be done without additional points. Found out the hard way heading to Asia via SFO. Two lead GS agents tried to change (SDC) the domestic leg and couldn’t do it without more points. In my case, the transpacific leg had cleared. The UA programmers need a back door or SDC just became much less attractive if connecting.

Has anyone had any success using PP on LH yet? I have a flight from FRA-PHL on Jan. 6 but when I go to the PP page, it says "no upgrade available." I am trying to upgrade from premium economy to business, so it should be 40 points. Since I can't even waitlist, I called the technical support desk and they said that LH controls the inventory???

Oh crap, that problem is back now? Yuck. Indeed, LH controls the upgrade process. Please post this in the LH upgrade thread.
Likely back to 'only within 14 days of departure' problem we have been having.

I have one, but it always says the same thing
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...818bf2641f.png

Good experience today. Confirmed RT TATL UG to Polaris for friend I’m not traveling with. Successfully waitlisted the non available domestic portion and cleared the J flights. Took the correct expiring points first (I called earlier to extend by 80 points expiring in Jan to April). All done with app in 3 min.

Good to know.

if you re-qualified to 1K or GS, you can ask to extend 80 Points till the end of April. You should be able to use these points for the March upgrade.

Has anyone been upgraded on points plus and then taken a VDB to another flight in Y? I’m assuming I’ll still be out the points in that instance, but it would be great to confirm. Definitely changes the math for me on volunteering on flights where I have been upgraded using points.

I can understand why the previous poster is confused because it is a somewhat unclear situation. Does UA consider the points to be “used” at the time they’re deducted from the account (upgrade confirmed) or the date of the flight itself? The answer isn’t obvious (to me).

I'm assuming you mean they couldn't change the domestic leg while preserving the domestic upgrade without additional (20?) points? Or that they couldn't even SDC the domestic leg into Y without additional points?

Not sure, but I'd be interested in this as well. If I ended up travelling in Y due to VDB or otherwise (e.g. SDC, IRROPs), I'd expect to get my +Ps back

This should be true UNLESS you use the StW feature. Then it's clear that any voluntary changes to your itinerary should result in PP forfeit. It's unclear is VDB is really voluntary in this situation, but SDC certainly is. If you are in IRROPS or VDB situation with a StW request, I would insist on upper cabin accommodation.

That's how GPU used to work. It is considered as used after flight departure. It is possible that plan change and confirmed upgrade flight is rebooked with PP/GPU returned. There is no change in this aspect.

I would assume they don’t take the points.

The points cannot be use for a flight that departs after their expiration date. That's the same way RPUs/GPUs worked.

VDB is always considered INVOL, because ultimately you're helping United out, and they decide whether they need you or not. Of course, if you're VDBing from an upgraded seat, you're well within your rights to request to be VDB'ed into J anyway.

If you VDB into Y, I suspect that the same rules will apply that would apply with a partially-cleared upgrade; you'll get docked the number of points for the highest-cost upgrade you actually received. And if you were to do so on a StW reservation, I'd just say "can you please make sure you mark it INVOL? I want to make sure I can get my upgrade points refunded." That's a perfectly reasonable request that the agent should have no problem with.

As for IRROPS, in general, you always have the choice to wait for re-accommodation in the upgraded cabin. What can be hit-or-miss (mostly miss) is trying to keep the upgrade if you're put onto another airline. On UA metal, it shouldn't be a problem.

GPUs/RPUs and now (presumably) PlusPoints can only be applied to a flight departing prior to their expiration.
PlusPoint are reserved when applied but not consumed until the flight occurs. You can reserved as many flights as you desire and can only be confirmed / cleared up to your available amount.