United Airlines Upgrade Priority: PlusPoints vs Miles (What Really Clears First)
- edenthomsan
- Jan 19
- 6 min read
On United Airlines, PlusPoints upgrades carry a higher priority than MileagePlus miles upgrades when all other factors (like elite status and fare class) are equal. However, the United upgrade waitlist is a complex, multi-layered hierarchy where "who clears first" is determined by a strict sequence of credentials.
United Airlines Upgrade Priority: PlusPoints vs Miles (What Really Clears First)
For many United flyers, the upgrade list is a source of both hope and immense frustration. You see your name sitting at #4 on the list with three seats open, only to find yourself at #6 an hour later.
The misconception is that United upgrades are "first-come, first-served." In reality, the United upgrade engine is a sophisticated algorithm designed to reward the most loyal and highest-paying passengers. If you are choosing between spending PlusPoints or MileagePlus miles to move to the front of the plane, you aren't just choosing a currency—you are choosing your rank in a digital battle for limited real estate.
Skip the waitlist and secure your Polaris seat today—call our upgrade specialists at +1-833-894-5333 for real-time inventory checks.
Why the "Upgrade Currency" Matters in 2026
In the current travel landscape, United has shifted heavily toward a revenue-based model. This means that while PlusPoints are the "gold standard" for upgrades, they are not a magic wand. Understanding how these instruments interact with your elite status and fare class is the difference between sipping champagne in Polaris and sitting in 32B.
How United Airlines Upgrade Priority Actually Works
United uses a multi-layered priority system. When an upgrade seat (inventory classes PZ for Polaris/First or RN for Premium Plus) becomes available, the system looks down a checklist. If two people are tied on the first criteria, it moves to the second, and so on.
The most important takeaway is that your United Airlines seat upgrade instrument is secondary to your elite status. A Premier 1K member using miles will almost always clear before a Premier Silver member using PlusPoints. However, within the same status tier, the instrument becomes the deciding factor.
United Upgrade Priority Hierarchy (2026)
As of 2026, the United upgrade waitlist is processed in this specific order:
Cabin Upgrade Requested: Passengers moving from Premium Plus (O, A, R) to Polaris have priority over those moving from Economy.
Premier Status of the Traveler: (Global Services > 1K > Platinum > Gold > Silver).
Upgrade Instrument: PlusPoints and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards (miles) are treated with equal weight initially, but PlusPoints often hold the edge in tie-breaker scenarios and availability.
Fare Class: Higher fare classes (Y, B, M) clear before discounted ones (S, T, L, K).
United Chase Cardholders: Primary cardholders of certain co-branded cards get a tie-breaking boost.
Corporate Preferred: Travelers on corporate accounts.
United MilagePlus Chase Card Spend: Significant annual spend on a United card.
Date/Time of Request: The final tie-breaker.
Don’t leave your upgrade to chance; dial +1-833-894-5333 to find out if your fare class is eligible for an instant PlusPoints or Miles clear.
What Are United PlusPoints?
PlusPoints are the exclusive upgrade currency for United’s top-tier elites. Replacing the old "Regional" and "Global" Premier Upgrades, PlusPoints offer a "bank" of points that can be spent across various routes.
Who earns them: Platinum members (receive 40 PlusPoints) and 1K members (receive 280 PlusPoints + 20 for every 2,000 PQP earned thereafter).
Flexibility: They can be used for domestic jumps, international long-haul, or even upgrades on partner airlines like ANA or Lufthansa.
The Advantage: PlusPoints allow for "skip-the-waitlist" opportunities on certain high-fare international tickets, a feature not available to miles users.
What Is a United MileagePlus Miles Upgrade?
MileagePlus Upgrade Awards (MUA) allow any member to use miles—often combined with a cash co-pay—to request an upgrade.
The Cost: Domestic upgrades can cost 7,500 to 20,000 miles. International Polaris upgrades often require 20,000 miles + a $300–$600 co-pay, depending on your original fare.
The Downside: Unlike PlusPoints, miles upgrades on discounted fares (like G, N, or S) can be prohibitively expensive due to the cash co-pay, making them a "last resort" for many savvy travelers.
PlusPoints vs Miles: Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | PlusPoints | MileagePlus Miles |
Priority Ranking | High (Top Tier) | Moderate |
Waitlist Bucket | PZ / RN | PZ / RN |
Cash Requirement | $0 Co-pay | Often requires $75 - $600 |
Availability | Better for 1K/Platinum | Standard |
Best Use Case | Long-haul Polaris | Domestic/Regional |
Why PlusPoints Usually Win
Within the same status bracket, PlusPoints are viewed as "earned rewards" for the highest tier of loyalty. While United officially states they are processed similarly, historical data and 2026 clearing patterns suggest that the system prioritizes PlusPoints requests, particularly because they are associated with 1K and Platinum members who have a higher lifetime value to the airline.
United MileagePlus Upgrade Chart (Simplified)
Knowing how many PlusPoints for a domestic upgrade is vital for planning.
Domestic (United First): Usually 20 PlusPoints.
Short-haul International: 20 PlusPoints.
Long-haul (Economy to Polaris): 40 PlusPoints.
Long-haul (Premium Plus to Polaris): 30 PlusPoints.
If using miles, a domestic flight usually starts at 7,500 miles + $0 (for expensive fares) or 20,000 miles + $75 (for discounted fares).
Why Some Mileage Upgrades Never Clear
If you’ve ever waited for a miles upgrade that never budged, it’s likely due to Inventory Access. United manages two types of upgrade buckets:
PZ: This is the "instant clear" bucket for Business/Polaris.
RN: This is the bucket for Premium Plus.
If PZ inventory is 0, everyone goes to the waitlist. On elite-heavy routes (e.g., Newark to London or SFO to Tokyo), there may be thirty 1K members using PlusPoints ahead of a Gold member using miles. In these "upgrade deserts," a miles request from a lower-tier member has near-zero chance of clearing.
Does Fare Class Matter More Than Upgrade Type?
Yes. This is the "hidden" secret of United priority. A traveler with a Premier Gold status on a B-class fare (expensive, flexible economy) using miles will often jump ahead of a Premier Gold status on a K-class fare (deeply discounted) using PlusPoints.
United rewards the "yield" of the ticket. If you paid more for your base seat, United is more likely to grant you the upgrade, regardless of whether you are paying with points or miles.
Best Strategy to Maximize United Upgrade Success
The "T-24" Strategy: Check the flight load 24 hours before departure. If there are many open seats but the waitlist is long, United may open "PZ" space for instant booking.
Target Tuesday/Wednesday: Avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons when "Road Warriors" occupy every premium seat.
Book Premium Plus first: If you buy a Premium Plus seat (O, A, R), you move to the top of the Polaris waitlist, ahead of everyone in Economy—even 1K members on higher fares.
Use PlusPoints for International: Miles are best saved for domestic hops where co-pays are low. Use PlusPoints for the $600-co-pay international routes.
Common Upgrade Mistakes United Flyers Make
Assuming PlusPoints guarantee upgrades: They don't. You are still subject to the status hierarchy.
Ignoring the Co-pay: Using 20,000 miles + $500 for a flight that only costs $800 total is a poor use of value.
Requesting Too Late: While "time of request" is a low-level tie-breaker, in a sea of 1K members, that five-minute difference can matter.
Final Verdict: PlusPoints or Miles?
If you have PlusPoints, they are almost always the superior choice. They carry no cash co-pay, provide slightly better "weight" in the system, and represent a higher tier of elite recognition.
Miles are a fantastic tool for casual travelers or those without top-tier status, but they are "weaker" currency in a competitive environment. To win the upgrade game in 2026, prioritize status first, fare class second, and PlusPoints third. Need a 2026 upgrade strategy that actually works? Contact our expert team at +1-833-894-5333 to maximize your United MileagePlus benefits before your next flight.
FAQ Section
1. Do PlusPoints clear before miles on United Airlines?
Yes, within the same elite status tier and fare class, PlusPoints are generally prioritized over MileagePlus miles. However, a higher status level (e.g., a 1K using miles) will still beat a lower status level (e.g., a Silver using PlusPoints).
2. How many PlusPoints are needed for a domestic upgrade?
A standard domestic upgrade from Economy to United First typically requires 20 PlusPoints.
3. Are United MileagePlus miles upgrades worth it?
They are most valuable on domestic flights where there is no cash co-pay. For international flights, the $300–$600 co-pay often makes the "cost per mile" less attractive unless the cash price of Polaris is extremely high.
4. Does elite status matter more than PlusPoints or miles?
Absolutely. Elite status is the primary filter for the United upgrade waitlist. No amount of miles or PlusPoints will move a Silver member ahead of a Platinum member.
5. Can a miles upgrade beat a PlusPoints upgrade?
Only if the person using miles has higher Premier status or a higher fare class. If all other factors are identical, the PlusPoints request will typically take precedence.
Would you like me to create a custom table comparing the specific PlusPoints costs for international partner airlines like Lufthansa or ANA?
Comments