United Airlines Seat Upgrade Guide: Miles, Money & PlusPoints Explained

United Airlines has continued expanding its premium cabin footprint, especially Polaris business class, Premium Plus, and refreshed domestic First. As more seats become available, upgrades have also become more competitive and more valuable.

A single upgrade from Economy to Polaris on a long-haul international flight can save you $1,500–$3,000, while domestic upgrades can easily save $100–$400 per segment.

But in 2025, United’s upgrade rules can feel confusing:

• Dynamic pricing makes miles upgrades unpredictable

• Fare classes determine your eligibility

• PlusPoints have new priority logic

• Complimentary Premier Upgrades clear in complex priority order

  
  

This guide simplifies EVERY upgrade method United offers — from the cheapest paid upgrades to free elite upgrades, PlusPoints, airport strategies, and miles. Need help upgrading your United Airlines seat? Call our travel experts 24/7 at +1-833-894-5333 for instant United upgrade assistance, best fares, and live availability.

You can upgrade seats on United Airlines using MileagePlus miles, PlusPoints, paid upgrades during booking, post-purchase cash offers, or free Premier elite upgrades. Eligibility depends on fare class, status level, route, aircraft type, and seat availability. Basic Economy is never eligible for upgrades.

UNITED AIRLINES UPGRADE TYPES

All United Airlines Seat Upgrade Options Explained

United offers six main upgrade paths, each with different costs, rules, and chances of success.

1. MileagePlus Miles Upgrade (Miles + Cash)

Upgrading with miles is one of the easiest methods, especially for travelers without elite status.

Eligible Fare Classes

Economy fares eligible for a miles upgrade include: Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W (highest success) Discount Economy fares eligible include: G, K, L, S, T (lower priority)

❌ Basic Economy (N) is never upgrade eligible.

Typical Miles Required (Approx.)

• Domestic: 7,500–20,000 miles + co-pay

• Transatlantic: 20,000–35,000 miles + co-pay

• Transpacific: 25,000–45,000 miles + co-pay

  
  

Co-Pays

• Domestic: $75–$250

• International: $250–$600

How Dynamic Pricing Affects Miles Upgrades

United no longer publishes a fixed upgrade chart. Instead, your miles price depends on:

• route

• fare class

• demand

• day of week

• season

Mileage upgrades are best when:

• flights are lightly booked

• United is promoting fares

• off-peak season

2. PlusPoints Upgrade (for Elite Flyers)

PlusPoints are available only to:

• Premier Platinum (40 points per year)

• Premier 1K (280 points per year)

  
  

PlusPoints Cost Chart (2025)

• Economy → Polaris: 40 points

• Premium Plus → Polaris: 30 points

• Economy → Premium Plus: 20 points

• Domestic First (short-haul): 20 points

  
  

Instant Upgrade vs Waitlist

• Higher fare classes (Y/B/M) may clear instantly

• Discounted fares go to waitlist

Eligibility by Fare Class

All fare classes except Basic Economy are eligible.

Best Aircraft for PlusPoints

Higher upgrade success on:

• 787-9 Polaris

• 767-300 refurbished

• 777-200 lightly booked routes

Priority Upgrade Algorithm

United ranks PlusPoints requests by:

1. Status (1K > Platinum)

2. Fare class

3. PlusPoints vs Miles

4. Time of request

5. Credit card holder status

   
   

3. Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU)

These are free upgrades for United elite members on domestic routes, including:

• U.S. 50 states

• Mexico

• Caribbean

• Central America

Eligible Cabins

Economy → Domestic First

Who Qualifies

• Premier 1K

• Premier Platinum

• Premier Gold

• Premier Silver

  
  

Upgrade Clearance Windows

• 1K: 96 hours

• Platinum: 72 hours

• Gold: 48 hours

• Silver: 24 hours

Priority Ladder

1. Status level

2. Fare class

3. Co-branded credit card holder

4. Time of check-in

This ladder determines how upgrades clear both before departure and at the gate.

4. Paid Upgrades During Booking

United shows an upgrade option during the checkout process.

Dynamic Cash Pricing

Cost depends on:

• demand

• flight load

• aircraft

• fare class

  
  

Cheapest Upgrade Times

The booking page often displays:

• $79–$199 upgrades for domestic routes

• $299–$899 upgrades for international

When United Discounts Upgrades

• Slow travel periods

  
  

• Midweek flights

  
  

• Last seats unsold

  
  

• Oversized Polaris cabins

  
  

5. Paid Upgrades After Booking (Manage Trip)

United frequently offers post-purchase upgrades via email or app notifications.

Best time for deals: 10–72 hours before departure.

Typical prices:

• Domestic: $59–$249

• International: $299–$1,200

  
  

6. Last-Minute Airport & Gate Upgrades

The cheapest cash upgrade method on United.

Why Gate Upgrades Work

• United wants to free up oversold economy seats

  
  

• Final Polaris seats are “use it or lose it” revenue

  
  

• Paid upgrades start as low as $50–$150 domestic or $200–$600 international

  
  

How to Ask

At check-in: “Are there any discounted upgrades available today?”

At the gate: “Are there any last-minute upgrade offers for this flight?”

⭐AIRCRAFT & CABIN SPECIFIC UPGRADES

United Seat Upgrades by Cabin Class

Economy to Economy Plus

Benefits:

• Extra legroom (up to 34–36”)

  
  

• Early boarding

  
  

• Ideal for taller travelers

  
  

• Cheapest upgrade

  
  

Economy to Premium Plus

Premium Plus offers:

• Larger recliner seats

  
  

• Free alcohol

  
  

• Enhanced meals

  
  

• More legroom and wider seats

  
  

Economy to Polaris Business Class

United’s highest-value upgrade.

Polaris includes:

• Lie-flat bed

  
  

• Saks Fifth Avenue bedding

  
  

• Polaris Lounge access

  
  

• Premium dining

  
  

Premium Plus to Polaris

Cheapest and easiest way to get into Polaris.

⭐ UPGRADE ELIGIBILITY & RULES

United Airlines Upgrade Eligibility (Fare Classes Explained)

Fare Classes Eligible for MileagePlus Upgrades

Cabin	Eligible Fare Classes	Notes
Economy	Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W	Highest priority
Discount Economy	G, K, L, S, T	Lower priority
Basic Economy	N	❌ Not eligible

Fare Classes Eligible for PlusPoints

All fare classes except Basic Economy are eligible.

Higher fare = higher upgrade priority.

United Upgrade Priority Order (2025)

United determines upgrade priority in this order:

1. Status level (1K → Platinum → Gold → Silver)

   
   

2. Fare class

   
   

3. PlusPoints > Miles > Cash

   
   

4. United Club cardholder

   
   

5. Check-in time

   
   

6. Time of request

   
   

When Do Upgrades Clear?

• 1K: 96 hours

  
  

• Platinum: 72 hours

  
  

• Gold: 48 hours

  
  

• Silver: 24 hours

  
  

• General Members: Only at gate

  
  

⭐STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES

How to Upgrade United Airlines Seats Using Miles

1. Log in to your MileagePlus account

   
   

2. Go to My Trips

   
   

3. Select your flight

   
   

4. Click “Upgrade”

   
   

5. Choose miles + cash option

   
   

6. Confirm and pay miles

   
   

7. Receive upgraded boarding pass

   
   

How to Use PlusPoints

1. Log in

   
   

2. Open My Trips

   
   

3. Select “Request PlusPoints Upgrade”

   
   

4. Choose instant or waitlist

   
   

5. Track request in your MileagePlus wallet

   
   

6. If waitlisted, upgrade clears automatically when space opens

   
   

How to Request an Upgrade at the Airport

Speak at:

• Check-in counter

  
  

• United Club desk

  
  

• Gate agent

  
  

What to say: “Are there any last-minute discounted upgrades available today?”

⭐ BEST ROUTES, AIRCRAFT & SEATS

Best United Routes with High Upgrade Success

• Chicago → Dublin

  
  

• Newark → London

  
  

• Los Angeles → Tokyo

  
  

• Houston → Amsterdam

  
  

Routes with Low Upgrade Chance

• Newark → Mumbai

  
  

• Newark → Tel Aviv

  
  

• San Francisco → Singapore

  
  

• Los Angeles → Sydney

  
  

Polaris Aircraft with Easy Upgrades

• 787-9

  
  

• 767-300ER refurbished

  
  

Best Seats After Upgrade

Polaris window seats (odd rows on 777, 787) Premium Plus bulkhead rows Avoid seats near galley or lavatories

⭐TIPS & TRICKS

Upgrade Hacks Frequent Flyers Use

• Book midweek flights

  
  

• Choose routes with low business demand

  
  

• Always add your MileagePlus number

  
  

• Dress business casual at the airport

  
  

• Look for oversold economy flights

  
  

• Book flexible or semi-flex fares for instant upgrades

  
  

• Request upgrades as early as possible.

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⭐ COMPARISON TABLES

Miles vs PlusPoints vs Paid Upgrade Comparison

Upgrade Method	Best For	Cost	Chance	Notes
Miles Upgrade	Non-status flyers	Medium (miles + co-pay)	Medium	Flexible but dynamic
PlusPoints	Elite members (Platinum/1K)	Free	High	Best value
Paid Upgrade	Anyone	Low–High	High	Cheapest close-in
Complimentary (CPU)	Elites on domestic	Free	Medium	No guarantee

⭐ FAQs

1. How much does a United upgrade cost?

Domestic upgrades range $59–$249. International upgrades can be $299–$1,200.

2. Can I upgrade Basic Economy?

No. Basic Economy is 100% ineligible for upgrades.

3. Do United upgrades ever become free?

Yes—Premier members (Silver and above) receive free domestic upgrades when available.

4. How do PlusPoints work?

PlusPoints allow elite members to request instant or waitlist upgrades to higher cabins.

5. Can I upgrade after booking?

Yes. Use the Manage Trip section on United’s website or app.