Key Takeaways
- PlusPoints are upgrade credits available to United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and 1K members, replacing the old Regional and Global Premier Upgrades.
- You earn 40 PlusPoints when reaching Platinum and 280 total at 1K status, with additional bonuses for flying beyond 1K thresholds.
- PlusPoints can be used for upgrades to Premium Plus, Polaris Business Class, or partner-operated flights on select airlines.
- The best value often comes from using PlusPoints on long-haul Polaris upgrades, especially from SFO and Newark to Asia or Europe.
- PlusPoints are valid for one year after the date they are earned and can be shared with other travelers.
If you’ve ever checked your United account and seen a mysterious balance of “PlusPoints,” you’re not alone. These digital upgrade credits are one of the most valuable benefits in the MileagePlus Premier program, especially for travelers aiming to experience Polaris Business Class without paying full fare.
But understanding how to earn PlusPoints, when they’re issued, and how to make the most of them can be confusing. This guide breaks down exactly how they work in 2025, from qualification tiers to strategic earning opportunities.
Want to know how flyers are actually using their PlusPoints to upgrade into Polaris? Visit the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to see real upgrade success stories, route data, and fare advice.
What are United PlusPoints?
PlusPoints are upgrade credits awarded to elite members of United MileagePlus. They replaced the old “Regional and Global Premier Upgrades,” creating a single flexible system that can be applied to nearly any United-operated flight.
Each upgrade requires a different amount of PlusPoints based on:
- Cabin you’re upgrading from and to
- Flight distance
- Fare class
For example, moving from Economy to Polaris on a long-haul route like SFO–Tokyo typically costs 40 PlusPoints, while a shorter hop from Premium Plus to Polaris might cost 20 PlusPoints.
If you’re not yet familiar with Polaris, you can read our guide on What Is United Polaris Business Class for a full breakdown of what makes it special.
How to Earn United PlusPoints
1. Earn PlusPoints by Reaching Elite Status
You start earning PlusPoints automatically when you reach Premier Platinum or Premier 1K in the MileagePlus program:
| Status Level | PlusPoints Earned | How to Qualify (2025) |
| Premier Platinum | 40 PlusPoints | 36 PQF + 12,000 PQP or 15,000 PQP |
| Premier 1K | 280 total (includes 40 from Platinum) | 54 PQF + 24,000 PQP or 36,000 PQP |
Once you hit 1K, you continue to earn more:
- 20 PlusPoints for every 2,000 PQP you earn beyond 24,000 PQP.
That means high-spending travelers can accumulate hundreds of points per year.
If you’re still working toward elite status, you can check upgrade opportunities in our guide on How to Get Upgraded on United.
2. Earn Extra PlusPoints with Annual Flight Activity
In addition to tier bonuses, United sometimes offers targeted promotions that reward extra PlusPoints for specific routes or fare classes. These promotions typically appear in your MileagePlus dashboard or via email around Q2–Q3 each year.
- For example, in 2024, United ran a limited offer giving +20 PlusPoints for completing 6 premium cabin segments between May and August.
- In 2025, keep an eye on your account for similar “bonus upgrade” offers, especially if you’re flying to or from San Francisco (SFO) or Newark (EWR), United’s busiest Polaris hubs.
Flyers in the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums often share active PlusPoints promotions before they’re widely announced, worth checking before booking.
3. Earn Through Corporate or Partner Travel
Some corporate travel programs and select partner airlines offer PlusPoints-eligible PQP bonuses. For instance:
- Booking premium fare classes on Lufthansa, ANA, or Air Canada earns PQPs that contribute toward PlusPoints.
- United’s Corporate Preferred program sometimes awards elite qualifying miles faster, helping employees reach Platinum or 1K sooner.
This doesn’t directly give you PlusPoints, but it accelerates your path to earning them.
How PlusPoints Are Issued and Tracked
Once you cross the qualification threshold, your PlusPoints will appear in your MileagePlus Wallet within 24–72 hours. You can track them in the United app under “My Account” → “PlusPoints.”
Validity:
- Points expire 12 months after being earned.
- If you upgrade someone else, your PlusPoints are deducted, but their flight activity does not earn you new ones.
Transfers and Gifting:
You can use PlusPoints for another traveler even if you’re not flying on the same reservation, a big advantage for 1K members booking family or coworkers.
How to Use Your PlusPoints
You can apply PlusPoints online at checkout or afterward in “Manage My Trips.” The system will show the upgrade cost and whether there’s space available.
Here’s a quick reference:
| Upgrade Type | From | To | Typical PlusPoints Cost |
| Short-haul (Domestic) | Economy | First | 20 |
| Long-haul | Premium Plus | Polaris | 20–40 |
| Long-haul | Economy | Polaris | 40–80 |
Routes like SFO–Tokyo or EWR–London are common upgrade targets, while ultra-long-haul routes like SFO–Singapore require higher points and have tougher availability.
You can read our detailed guide on How Many PlusPoints You Need for Polaris Upgrades for specific routes and examples.
Best Ways to Maximize PlusPoints
- Target off-peak flights: Midweek departures from SFO or EWR tend to clear faster.
- Avoid heavily booked business routes (like SFO–Singapore or EWR–Tel Aviv).
- Request upgrades early: Waitlist priority depends on your status and request time.
- Book Premium Plus fares: They cost fewer PlusPoints to upgrade and have higher clearance odds.
For current upgrade results by route, many travelers post their real-time data in the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums.
Conclusion
Earning United PlusPoints isn’t complicated, it’s all about reaching MileagePlus Platinum or 1K and maintaining consistent premium travel. Once earned, they open doors to Polaris Business Class, Premium Plus, and smoother long-haul experiences.
By understanding where to earn, when to use them, and how to track active promotions, you’ll make your upgrades far more predictable and rewarding.
Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to see how real flyers are using PlusPoints for Polaris upgrades and share your own success stories.
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