Cannot apply PlusPoints to upgrade
 

This happens for the first time. I tried to apply PlusPoints to outbound of my trip but failed. My friend applied both outbound and inbound, but inbound cleared first. He had to call to remove the request for outbound because of insufficient points from his account. Now, I have to call UA to request the upgrade using points from my own account.

Edit: The problem was only on App. On United.com, I was able to do it. But “upgrade -skipped” (insufficient credit) came back although I had a ton of points on my own account. So, I will have to call to clean up this mess. :(

Yes. Maybe? I don't know that we have a lot of data on this.

Usually. It depends on the fare class of the new ticket.

If you want to fly in J, you should grab that $829 offer and run. The flight is J6 O1, so your odds of clearing into PE are basically nil and a Polaris upgrade is also an extreme improbability.

I looked at the upgrade list just after posting
You are totally right. I will probably mull over it and pull the trigger eventually lol. Thanks.

So has nothing changed, or are we able to cancel confirmed upgrades now. If so, how?

No other upgraded segments — it was a one-segment DEN-SFO leg. When I wrote in it had been four days since my flight — now it’s been over a week. No refund (but again not asking for one).

On an unrelated note — this morning I’m flying DEN-IAD and was number 16 on the upgrade list (no pluspoints applied). Saw PZ1 this morning and applied points to instantly grab the last seat. I’m assuming that at least one of the 15 people ahead of me had points applied, but maybe not... This flight also looks oversold, so may try for another VDB.

I were as guilty as you were. The upgrade standby list was short on SLC-EWR (less than 10) and nobody applied PlusPoints (my wife got CPU with XN as 1K at T-24h, CC primary holder). I applied PlusPoints at T-10h when I saw PZ1 (and last FC seat) after midnight. I had to call 1K lines for SDC from 2 segments to 3 segments first before I applied PlusPoints on App myself.

I've done some searches to use points to upgrade to pz, and noticed that the cost for the flight when using points to upgrade (or waitlist) tends to be a couple of hundred dollars higher although it is in the same fare class.

This seems to happen with sub -W as well as W fares.

Has anyone tried to book it without the upgrade request in the search then add it later?

Maybe that would give the lower price...

This is how I usually book flights. Lowest cost flight (not BE). Then after booking apply the Plus Points.

I do use the search feature to see the cost differential between 40 points and 80 points and then go back and do a search without using the upgrade feature and book the flight. Choosing the lowest cost choice.

Once ticketed apply the Plus Points.

Could this be their "not-so-hidden upgrade fee" for those who don't know how to search properly?

This has already been discussed. It's a display issue. The website is showing a fare combination on the initial results screen which includes sub-W and/or non-UA segments. The fares themselves are not actually higher.

UA deliberately shut that functionality down inside T-24 for RPU/GPU several years ago. I suspect they'll do the same for PP once they realize they've reopened the door for sniping.

I'm 99% sure that what you're actually seeing is that, when you do a search without an upgrade instrument request, it defaults the return flight to a higher fare bucket on the assumption that you'll want to upgrade the return also. The regular search doesn't do that.

As soon as the flight tickets, you can apply PlusPoints. I did that this morning, and I don't use the upgrade search, which is broken in a lot of other ways beyond what you're describing.

To upgrade to Polaris with a K class purchase on long-haul international USA to Europe what class do we look for to see if space is available? Thanks in advance

PZ class

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just a side comment, PP is not worth $600+ over E+ if you had a decent seat (aisle or window) in E+. On the other hand Polaris is depending on the size of your wallet or the need for sleep.

The only seats I even consider in PP are bulkhead. Anything else I might as well be in an aisle E+ seat.