Key Takeaways
- PlusPoints upgrades clear in stages based on your Premier status, fare class, and seat availability.
- The clearance window opens 96 hours before departure for 1K members and as late as 24 hours for Silver.
- Upgrades can clear at any time between booking and boarding , even at the gate.
- Upgrade odds depend on route, fare class, cabin load, and whether you’re traveling with a companion.
- Understanding the clearance process helps you time bookings and maximize PlusPoints value.
Timing matters in the world of United MileagePlus upgrades. If you’ve ever requested a PlusPoints upgrade and wondered when it will clear, you’re not alone. Many frequent flyers refresh the app daily, hoping to see that magic “Upgrade Confirmed” message appear before departure day.
This guide breaks down exactly when PlusPoints upgrades clear, what determines the timing, and how to improve your odds of success on United-operated flights.
Not sure when your upgrade might clear? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to see when other travelers’ PlusPoints have been clearing by route and fare class.
How the PlusPoints Upgrade Process Works
When you apply PlusPoints to a reservation, you’re essentially joining a ranked upgrade waitlist. Your position on that list is determined by:
- Premier status (1K, Platinum, Gold, Silver)
- Fare class (higher fares rank ahead within the same status)
- Time of request
- Availability of upgrade inventory
According to United Airlines’ official PlusPoints policy, upgrades clear in a specific order, starting with 1K members and moving down. The process is mostly automated but continues dynamically until boarding.
The moment you request an upgrade, your reservation will show “PlusPoints requested.” When it clears, the status changes to “PlusPoints confirmed,” and the required points are deducted from your account balance.
When Do PlusPoints Upgrades Actually Clear?
The clearance window depends on your Premier status. Here’s a breakdown of the typical timeline for 2024–2025:
| Premier Status | Clearance Window | Notes |
| 1K | Up to 96 hours before departure | Highest priority; clears first if “PZ” or “R” inventory exists. |
| Platinum | 72 hours before departure | Often clears early on mid-demand routes. |
| Gold | 48 hours before departure | Moderate clearance, especially outside hub-to-hub flights. |
| Silver | 24 hours before departure | Typically clears at gate if seats remain. |
These times are guidelines, not guarantees. The actual clearance depends heavily on aircraft type, route load, and remaining inventory.
Even if you qualify for an early window, your upgrade won’t clear until there’s available PZ (business class) or R (Premium Plus) space in United’s system. You can track that space using Expert Mode on your United account.
Factors That Affect Upgrade Clearance
1. Route and Cabin Load
High-demand routes like Newark–London or San Francisco–Tokyo see slower clearance because premium cabins fill quickly. Less competitive routes (like Chicago–Lisbon or Washington–Zurich) tend to clear earlier.
2. Fare Class
Higher fares such as Y, B, M, E, U clear before discounted fares like H, Q, V, W, L, K, G, T, S. If two passengers have equal status, the one with the higher fare class gets the upgrade first.
3. Companion Travel
If you’re traveling with a companion who isn’t an elite member, both passengers must clear together. That can push your upgrade further down the list.
4. Upgrade Inventory
The number of available PZ (business class) or R (Premium Plus) seats fluctuates as paid tickets sell. Keep checking your reservation , clearance can happen anytime up to boarding.
For more details on upgrade hierarchy, see How to Get Upgraded on United.
Realistic Timeline: From Request to Boarding
Many flyers expect instant clearance, but most PlusPoints upgrades follow a staged process:
- Weeks Before Departure: You’re added to the waitlist. If there’s upgrade inventory open, you may clear immediately.
- 96–72 Hours Before: Premier 1K and Platinum members begin clearing automatically.
- 48 Hours Before: Premier Gold members start clearing as more seats open.
- 24 Hours Before: Silver members and companion upgrades start to move.
- Gate Clearance: Any remaining seats are distributed just before boarding based on priority.
Flyers often share real-time clearance patterns by route in the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums.
How to Improve Your PlusPoints Upgrade Odds
You can’t control every factor, but smart timing and booking strategy can help:
- Book early , enter the waitlist before inventory fills up.
- Choose off-peak flights , midday or midweek departures see fewer elites.
- Monitor “PZ” and “R” fare classes , these indicate open upgrade space.
- Avoid basic or deep-discount fares , they rank lower for clearance.
- Fly solo when possible , groups clear less frequently.
For a full breakdown of fare logic and upgrade ranking, read United PlusPoints vs Upgrade Certificates: Which Is Better?.
According to NerdWallet’s PlusPoints guide, travelers who book early and monitor upgrade inventory often see clearance between 2–5 days before departure , especially on less crowded routes.
Why Your Upgrade Might Stay “Pending”
If your upgrade doesn’t clear, don’t panic , it’s usually because:
- All premium cabin seats are sold or allocated to paid fares.
- You’re on a high-demand route with more elites than seats.
- You’re traveling with a companion on the same booking.
- Your fare class is too low to prioritize early.
In most cases, your PlusPoints will be refunded automatically if the upgrade doesn’t clear by departure. You only lose them once you actually fly in the upgraded cabin.
Should You Wait or Buy the Upgrade?
If your upgrade hasn’t cleared by 24 hours before departure and you see paid upgrades offered in the United app, consider the value tradeoff.
For long-haul flights where Polaris Business normally costs thousands more, waiting can be worthwhile. But on short transatlantic routes or daytime flights, a discounted paid upgrade may offer better comfort-to-cost value.
For a closer look at what you get in business class, see our United Polaris Business Class Review.
Conclusion
PlusPoints upgrades follow a structured timeline, but the exact clearance moment depends on status, fare, route, and luck. While Premier 1Ks see the earliest clearance window, even lower-tier members can clear at the gate if seats open.
The best strategy is simple: book early, monitor inventory, and stay flexible. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns by route and that knowledge helps you maximize every PlusPoint you earn.
For recent clearance data by route and status, visit the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums and compare experiences with other MileagePlus members.
FAQs
1. How far in advance do PlusPoints upgrades clear?
Typically, PlusPoints upgrades start clearing up to 96 hours before departure for Premier 1K members. However, clearance is dynamic , it can occur earlier if there’s open upgrade inventory. Some travelers report clearing weeks ahead on less busy routes, while others see movement only days or hours before the flight.
2. Can PlusPoints upgrades clear immediately?
Yes, but only if upgrade inventory is open when you request it. If the flight has available PZ (Business) or R (Premium Plus) seats, your upgrade can clear within minutes of submission. On competitive routes, however, you’ll likely stay on the waitlist until closer to departure.
3. Do PlusPoints upgrades clear at check-in?
They can, but it’s not guaranteed. United’s algorithm keeps reprioritizing the waitlist even during check-in. Some upgrades clear right after check-in opens (T-24), while others don’t move until gate agents manually process last-minute availability before boarding.
4. Why did another passenger clear before me?
Clearance order is based on multiple factors , status, fare class, and time of request. If another passenger had a higher status or a more expensive fare, they’ll clear first. Companion bookings can also delay your upgrade because all travelers must clear together.
5. Can I improve my chances of clearing early?
Yes. Focus on routes with lighter elite traffic, book fares higher than deep-discount economy, and monitor availability through Expert Mode. Checking for PZ and R seats weekly can also help you predict your odds. Frequent flyers note that midweek or midday flights are most likely to clear early.
6. What happens if my PlusPoints don’t clear?
If your upgrade never clears, United automatically refunds your PlusPoints once the flight departs in your original cabin. You won’t lose them unless you actually fly upgraded, and you can reapply them for another trip before they expire.
7. Do PlusPoints ever clear after check-in?
Yes, and often. Many flyers report upgrades clearing at the gate just before boarding. United’s gate agents manage a live upgrade list that continues shifting until the last minute, meaning you could move from “Requested” to “Confirmed” moments before takeoff.
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