I have read through the thread briefly, but it is already really long. I am looking at a flight PBI-ORD-DEN-SMF that I have booked, and to upgrade using +P it says 20 ponts PER SEGMENT , so 60 points in total. Is that right ???? Basically what would have been a single RPU, is now 3 EWR-LHR GPU equivelents, I must be doing something wrong, surely ??? thx

Probably a glitch- however it might be because it’s actually 3 different tickets so it’s charging 20x3

If my international Polaris upgrade from Economy with PlusPoints is confirmed, I will lose those points with a Same Day Change, right?

GPUs were recredited for SDC from what I recall...When I spoke to 1K today, I was told that the PlusPoints will be refunded with SDC, however, the PlusPoint T&C seem to indicate that any confirmed upgrades will not be refunded upon "cancellation".

Is there any way to save the PlusPoints if SDC is being requested after the upgrade is confirmed on the orig itinerary?

I think this has been answered before in this long thread, but would appreciate if anyone can confirm promptly.

I have yet to execute a flight change with confirmed pluspoints, but from what I can tell they will be refunded in the event of any change (including same-day).

The first time you try, though, perhaps you want to involve an agent so as to be sure you get what you want.

UA Insider also said they would be refunded if you SDC.

Likely already been discussed, but why do prices for flights sometimes differ in the PlusPoints search, although fare class is identical?

Okay, I can't duplicate now....fare class changes on return flight now.

(a) the upgrade search is horribly broken; don’t use it.
(b) the upgrade search is defaulting to a different fare class on the return; the regular search will default to the lowest combinable fare, whereas the upgrade search defaults to.. something else. Maybe W? It’s hard to tell.

If you price the options through to completion, they should be the same in either case.

a) Ha! No surprise I guess.What's the alternative?

b) Yes, I can see that too now. There was a flight where both segments were for the same fare class & PlusPoints, but with different prices. Can't find it now though...

(a) Upgrades clear into PZ (or PN for GS), so just search for flights with PZ availability in Expert Mode. If you’re looking for long-haul flights, and you’ll be connecting, just search for the overwater flight. Once you know the flights you want, book them, wait for it to ticket, and apply the upgrade from your account.
(b) If you run into that again, post the cities and dates and we can probably figure out what’s happening.

Only situation where I’ve found it somewhat useful is if I want to do a quick search for possible upgrade space for certain types of flights (for example, if I’m looking for TATL or TPAC upgrade space to any hub) for a particular day, with the understanding that even then, it may not be accurate.

But yeah, I would never use it when starting an actual booking, or even if I just want to price out an itinerary.

I am sure this has been covered before but not sure how to find it...I am WL for Polaris on a TPAC flight early January. I am not sure if it will clear. So, I am thinking maybe I should also WL for PE.

The 1K agent told me that she can just add the PE WL segment into the PNR without affecting my queue position for Polaris upgrae. It makes sense. However, I want to double check here for others' experiences. Right how Polaris has open seats but PE is actually fully booked. I kind of wonder if I should just sit in coach exit instead of PE upgrade which can be without aisle access, which is important to me.

Thanks.

By all accounts, waitlisting for PE won’t harm your chances of getting a Polaris upgrade but only you can determine if you want to give up your exit row seat.

Confused? So was I until I made 1K for next year, called the 1K desk to make an international reservation for next March only to be told, sorry, but there is no availability for "skip waitlist"...so you'll have to go on the waitlist.
"Skip wailst" is just a scam -- it's more than 30 days in advance, the fare would be allowable for upgrade, I'm 1K...

I'm not SO glad that I worked extra hard to keep 1K status for 2020. Worthless so far!

Dont' worry, Skip waitlist doesn't seem to work. Just tried to book a flight for next March and skip waitlist is not available -- it's just a scam!

Skip-The-Waitlist was only ever advertised as available "on some select routes" (or something like that).

It's been surprising to see many comment on StW as if it were available always and on every Polaris route. UA never made that claim.


Not a scam; just another one of United's infamous unicorns.

StW is still in the trial phase. It is only available, starting Feb, for select South American routes. Would suspect UA will be slowly rolling it out in other regions in the coming months. See the activity discussion in Skip the waitlist (STW) questions . Very premature to draw any conclusion of availablity, rates, .... based this very limited trial.