Key Takeaways
- PlusPoints are United’s upgrade currency for Premier Platinum and 1K members, used to upgrade paid tickets, including international flights.
- International upgrades typically cost 30 to 80 PlusPoints, depending on your fare class and target cabin.
- Economy to Polaris upgrades usually cost 40 PlusPoints, while discounted economy fares can require 80 PlusPoints.
- Premium Plus to Polaris upgrades cost around 30 PlusPoints.
- Using PlusPoints effectively requires understanding fare class rules and upgrade availability.
If you’ve achieved elite status in United MileagePlus, one of your most valuable perks is the ability to use PlusPoints to upgrade your seat, especially on international routes. But how many PlusPoints do you actually need to move up from Economy or Premium Plus to Business or Polaris?
This guide breaks down the number of PlusPoints required for international upgrades, explains fare class differences, and shows when using them makes the most sense.
Not sure how many PlusPoints you’ll need on your route? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to see real traveler reports and upgrade results by route.
What Are PlusPoints and How They Work on International Flights
PlusPoints are the flexible upgrade credits available to Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members in the United MileagePlus program. Unlike award miles, PlusPoints can be applied to paid tickets for upgrades to Premium Plus or Polaris Business Class.
To use PlusPoints internationally, your booking must:
- Be a paid fare (not an award or Basic Economy).
- Be in an eligible fare class that allows upgrades.
- Have upgrade inventory available.
According to United Airlines’ official PlusPoints policy, upgrades are processed automatically once requested, based on your Premier status, fare class, and time of request.
How Many PlusPoints You Need for International Upgrades
Here’s what most United flyers can expect in 2024–2025 for international upgrade pricing:
| Upgrade Type | Required PlusPoints | Notes |
| Economy → Premium Plus | 20 PlusPoints | Standard upgrade for eligible economy fares on long-haul routes. |
| Premium Plus → Polaris Business | 30 PlusPoints | Good value for mid-tier elites, easier to clear than economy to business. |
| Economy → Polaris Business | 40 PlusPoints | Applies to standard economy fare classes (Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W). |
| Discounted Economy → Polaris Business | 80 PlusPoints | Deep-discount fares (L, K, G, T, S) cost double to upgrade. |
These numbers apply to most United-operated long-haul international routes, though regional differences can occur depending on aircraft type and seat inventory.
For a complete comparison of PlusPoints and upgrade rules, see United PlusPoints vs Upgrade Certificates: Which Is Better?.
What Affects PlusPoints Costs and Upgrade Success
Fare Class Priority
Fare class is the biggest factor in how many PlusPoints you’ll spend and how soon your upgrade clears. Higher economy fares (Y, B, M, H) cost fewer points and clear earlier than deep-discount fares.
Cabin Type
Upgrading to Premium Plus costs fewer PlusPoints than going straight to Polaris Business. The more premium the cabin, the higher the cost, but also the greater the value per PlusPoint.
Route and Cabin Demand
Upgrades on high-demand routes like Newark–London or San Francisco–Tokyo clear less frequently than lower-traffic ones. Long-haul flights offer the best ROI, while shorter international routes may provide smaller value gaps.
For practical upgrade comparisons by route, browse discussions in the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums.
When to Use PlusPoints for International Flights
Using PlusPoints wisely can stretch their value and increase your comfort. Here’s how to decide when to redeem them:
Use PlusPoints when:
- You’re on a paid ticket in an eligible fare class.
- The cash price difference between Economy and Business is large.
- There’s visible upgrade inventory (look for “PZ” or “R” fare classes in Expert Mode).
- You’re flying off-peak or on a route with lower upgrade competition.
Avoid using PlusPoints when:
- You’re on a deeply discounted fare that requires 80 PlusPoints with low upgrade odds.
- You’re traveling with multiple companions who all need to clear together.
- You see limited business-class inventory close to departure.
If your upgrade doesn’t clear, United returns your PlusPoints automatically, no loss unless you travel in the upgraded cabin.
For full fare-class rules and strategies, read How to Get Upgraded on United.
Maximizing Your PlusPoints Value
1. Focus on Long-Haul Routes
Using PlusPoints on long-haul flights like San Francisco–Tokyo, Chicago–Frankfurt, or Newark–Delhi gives the best per-point value. The comfort difference between economy and Polaris on these flights is significant.
2. Watch for Upgrade Inventory
Enable “Expert Mode” on your United account and look for PZ (Business) or R (Premium Plus) inventory. If you see these available, your upgrade has a good chance of clearing.
3. Fly Solo When Possible
Solo travelers clear upgrades faster than groups. If traveling with others, separate reservations can sometimes improve individual odds.
4. Time Your Request
Upgrades begin clearing as early as 96 hours before departure for Premier 1K, 72 hours for Platinum, and closer to departure for lower tiers. The earlier you’re in line, the better.
For a deep analysis of United’s business-class product, check our United Polaris Business Class Review.
Is It Worth Using PlusPoints for International Upgrades?
In most cases, yes, especially if you’re flying long-haul and can clear into Polaris. On routes like Newark–London, San Francisco–Sydney, or Washington D.C.–Tokyo, the cash price difference between economy and business class can exceed $2,000–$4,000. Spending 40 PlusPoints for that upgrade represents strong redemption value.
According to NerdWallet’s United PlusPoints guide, PlusPoints are most valuable on long-haul flights with open business-class seats, where the comfort jump justifies the usage.
Still, treat PlusPoints as a strategic tool, not a guarantee. You can always hold them for flights with better odds or higher personal value.
Conclusion
The number of PlusPoints you need for an international upgrade depends on your fare class and target cabin, but here’s the simple breakdown:
- 20 PlusPoints for Economy → Premium Plus
- 30 PlusPoints for Premium Plus → Polaris
- 40 PlusPoints for Economy → Polaris
- 80 PlusPoints for Discounted Economy → Polaris
Use them strategically on routes that offer strong value, and always monitor upgrade availability before committing.
For live reports and traveler success rates, head over to the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums.
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