He probably didn't want to spend 20 points in case the EWR-ZRH Polaris upgrade didn't clear? I'm in similar situation for a TPAC route, requested 80 points for Polaris on a K fare. Didn't waitlist for EWR-SFO.

Exactly my thoughts. Still seeking an answer if I can make the change, and that’s a thought perhaps I could add PP. But taking the earlier flight gives me more time in the Polaris lounge and EWR and that’s my choice, notwithstanding a better chance at an upgrade. Im unsure if I could even do it with SDC, But then the business class seats on the earlier flight will probably be taken

It’s permitted, but it’s likely to be a hassle; you need a good agent to make sure you don’t mess up the cleared portion; you need availability in your original fare class all the way through; you may need to meet advance purchase requirements, depending upon the agent’s mood; you’ll need to pay a change fee... and you probably won’t clear anyway, because upgrade lists a few weeks out aren’t necessarily indicative. A lot of that inventory is going to get sold between now and departure.

Haven't dived into this thread much but had something happen which I don't quite understand. I applied 20 points to an upgrade on a flight from AUS-IAD. Bought the ticket a couple of weeks before so it was expensive and I expected I would eventually get upgraded either with the points or a CPU. Well 24 hours before the flight I still hadn't been upgraded (and the booked seat map showed only 6 of 12 seats booked and I was #1 on wait list). Finally got upgraded about 2hours before the flight. But then they took the 20 points out of my account. Should they have done that? Isn't within 24 hours a CPU and they should return the points to my account when I don't get upgraded with the points before the window? That was how using RPU/GPU always worked and I guess I just assumed the point system worked the same way. Was I wrong? I hope someone can enlighten me. Is it true that if you apply upgrade points you have seemingly given up your CPU opportunity and if you do get the upgrade, even within 24hours, they will take the points? Thanks very much.

Yes.

No.

RPU/GPU never worked that way, although this is the second similar message in the last couple of days.

Yes.

Yes. Using points changes your position on the waitlist, putting you ahead of people who are on CPU. If you didn’t have points on the reservation, you might have been in Y.

Thanks for setting me straight, I suspect this will radically change my strategy about when to use points. I still don't quite understand the "No" on GPU/RPU usage. If a instrument didn't clear at the 24 hour mark it always got redeposited and you ended up on the CPU list,correct? I never had a RPU/GPU taken out of my account if I was upgraded within 24 hours, after applying one prior to that time.

No, what you’re describing is not true. RPU/GPUs were deducted at booking and were only (supposed to be) redeposited if you didn’t clear. Some people would yank the upgrade inside the CPU window (which, incidentally, starts at T-96 for 1Ks, not T-24) if it looked like a CPU would clear. It is not possible to remove a PlusPoint upgrade that has cleared — you’d have to change flights entirely. This is a specific reaction by UA to this practice; they don’t want people “holding” upgrades with PlusPoints and then deciding to try for a CPU.

Now, there were sporadic reports of instruments being redeposited when, per policy, they shouldn’t have been, so maybe you got lucky. But the way that the system is working now is the same as it worked before: if you apply an instrument, and you fly up front, that instrument is used.

Perhaps we need a note in the wiki saying the search for upgradeable fares is fatally broken, as I just learnt.

Another strategy is is that if it doesn’t clear just outside of check in call and ask them to remove the instrument

You can do that but how will you know how far down the UG list you'll fall?

Once you remove the upgrade you’ll know immediately :-)

Thanks for that link -- I had no idea!

Had a schedule change and Expedia needed to reissue my ticket. I had waitlisted with Plus Points for 2 segments on my return, but the waitlist icons disappeared from my reservation although the request was still visible under Plus Points tab under my reservations.
Called and sure enough I was no longer on the waitlists. So I cancelled the request and re-requested. Back on the waitlists now. There was definitely was a disconnect there.

Saturday, I had a PlusPoints upgrade clear that I wish hadn’t (woe is me, I know). Flying ORD-MIA, equipment was scheduled as a 752, booked 15/16 a few days out. I thought, what the hell, I’ll apply 20 PlusPoints on the very outside chance that it gets me into a lie-flat seat for 3 hours.

Plane goes tech after boarding is complete (with me in Y at #5 on the list), and they swap a 753 in. I get a notice that my seat has changed to 23A (the new infinite legroom seat on the 753), which is just fine, but then a short time later, I clear into F. Honestly would have rather saved the PlusPoints and enjoyed the exit row.

I just had my second PointsPlus withdrawal error of the new year.

1 - I had a confirmed 40-point upgrade on EWR-NRT; ended up changing to a confirmed 80-point upgrade on LAX-NRT. The 80 points got charged, but the 40 points didn’t get refunded until I reached out to 1K Voice.

2 - I’ll omit the details, but basically I had a domestic one-way, connecting flight where one leg cleared when I SDC’ed to it, and the other waitlisted. The second leg just cleared, and UA has currently charged me 40 points, instead of 20. Since I had exactly 20 expiring points, I’m less than thrilled about this. :) If it doesn’t correct itself after I fly, another message to 1K Voice will be in the offing.

Moral of the story: if you are waitlisting any segments, keep an eye on your PlusPoints total.