Most guides on United PlusPoints tell you the same thing: request an upgrade on your next flight. But what if you don't have a trip booked? What if the waitlist is packed, upgrade availability is low, or, quite simply, you don’t have a plan to travel before your points expire?
PlusPoints, like many other airline expirations policies, expire when your elite status lapses. United's 2025 changes, which include dynamic pricing and longer waitlists, have made them harder to use than ever. Forum threads on FlyerTalk and Reddit are full of members complaining about hundreds of PlusPoints going to waste without ever clearing an upgrade.
This guide focuses on the less obvious options, the ones that actually help if you're not boarding a flight tomorrow. Whether you want to spoil a friend, explore partner airline upgrades, or simply convert your points into cash before they expire, here's what you need to know.
Can I Use United PlusPoints for Someone Else?
Yes, and this is one of the most underused options available to elite members. United allows Premier Platinum and 1K members to use their PlusPoints to request an upgrade for a companion travelling on the same booking. So if a family member or friend has a United flight coming up and you're the one sitting on expiring PlusPoints, this is a legitimate and often overlooked way to put them to use.
How to do it
The companion must be on the same reservation as you, or in some cases on a separate PNR on the same flight. You can request the upgrade through United.com or the United app by navigating to the reservation and selecting the upgrade option. You'll need to be the one initiating the request — the PlusPoints come from your account.
Key rules to know
- The companion upgrade follows the same waitlist and availability rules as your own upgrade request
- You cannot gift PlusPoints directly to another MileagePlus account. The upgrade must be applied to a specific flight
- The number of PlusPoints required depends on the route, fare class, and cabin. Costs are dynamic since the 2025 changes
- If the upgrade doesn't clear, your PlusPoints are returned to your account
If you have PlusPoints approaching expiry and someone in your circle is flying United soon, this is a simple and genuinely useful way to get value out of them.
Can You Sell United PlusPoints for Cash?
If you have PlusPoints that are going to expire and no flight on the horizon, selling them is a practical alternative that most people don't know exists. An established secondary market for PlusPoints exists, driven by travellers who want to upgrade on a specific flight but don't have the points themselves.
How it works
The mechanism is straightforward: you tell The Miles Market how many points you’d like to sell, you get assigned a dedicated account manager that finds you a competitive offer for your points within minutes. Once you accept the offer, you get paid and your points are transferred to their new account.
The transaction is handled securely, payment is typically made within 24 hours via PayPal, bank transfer, or Zelle, and you remain in full control of your account throughout. The article ‘How to sell your airline miles safely in 2026’ explains the security of the process in more detail.
The Miles Market has processed over 70,000 transactions for more than 50,000 customers and holds a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot.
Who this makes sense for
- Your elite status is expiring and you will lose your PlusPoints
- You’ve been flying heavily for work and don’t see the same travel volume ahead. Cashing out now is a much more fitted solution for your lifestyle.
- You've been stuck on upgrade waitlists and don't want to keep gambling on availability
You can get a free, no-obligation quote at The Miles Market's United PlusPoints page.
Can I Use United PlusPoints on Lufthansa and Other Partner Airlines?
One of the less-publicised features of the PlusPoints programme is that they're not limited to United-operated flights. PlusPoints can be used for upgrades on select Star Alliance partner airlines - which opens up possibilities for members who fly partners more than United itself.
That said, availability and the request process vary significantly by partner. Here's what you need to know about the three main airlines where PlusPoints can be applied.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is the most commonly cited partner for PlusPoints upgrades, and for good reason: the airline operates extensive long-haul routes where the upgrade from Business to First can be genuinely valuable. United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and 1K members can request a PlusPoints upgrade on Lufthansa-operated flights, typically from Business Class to First Class on eligible long-haul routes.
To request the upgrade, you'll need to call United's Premier line, and unfortunately this cannot be done online yet. The upgrade must be requested at least 24 hours before departure, and availability depends on Lufthansa releasing upgrade inventory, which is not always guaranteed. The number of PlusPoints required varies by route and fare class, so it's worth calling ahead to check the cost before committing.
ANA
ANA is another Star Alliance partner where PlusPoints upgrades are available, making it a useful option for members travelling between the US and Japan or within Asia. As with Lufthansa, upgrades on ANA must be requested by calling United directly rather than through the app or website.
ANA upgrade availability using PlusPoints can be limited, particularly on popular routes, so early requests are advisable. Eligible cabins and routes should be confirmed with United's Premier line at the time of booking.
Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines, the Panama-based Star Alliance member, is the third key partner where PlusPoints can be used for upgrades. This is particularly relevant for travellers flying between North America and Central or South America. Copa's network through Panama City's Tocumen hub makes it a practical option for connecting itineraries throughout Latin America.
Again, the upgrade request must go through United's Premier line, and availability is subject to Copa's own upgrade inventory policies. PlusPoints costs will vary depending on the route and fare class booked.
Note: The 2025 changes to the PlusPoints programme introduced more dynamic pricing on partner upgrades, which means costs are less predictable than they once were. Always confirm the current PlusPoints requirement before requesting.
How Do You Earn PlusPoints on United?
PlusPoints are not available to all United MileagePlus members, they're exclusive to those who hold Premier Platinum or Premier 1K status. There are three main ways to get PlusPoints into your account.
1. Annual allotment with elite status
Each year when your elite status renews, you receive a baseline allocation of PlusPoints:
- Premier Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints annually
- Premier 1K members receive 280 PlusPoints annually, plus additional points for exceeding qualifying thresholds
These points are tied to your status year — they expire when your elite tier lapses, which is what makes the expiry risk real for members who downgrade or don't requalify.
2. Additional earning through qualifying activity
Premier 1K members can earn additional PlusPoints by exceeding their qualifying thresholds during the status year. United periodically awards bonus PlusPoints for hitting certain Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) milestones above the 1K threshold, meaning heavy flyers accumulate significantly more than the base 280.
3. Buying PlusPoints to top up your account
If you're a few PlusPoints short of an upgrade — say you need 30 for a Polaris upgrade and only have 20 — it's possible to acquire additional PlusPoints through a broker. The Miles Market allows you to buy PlusPoints from another elite member who has surplus in their account, with the same sponsor-upgrade mechanism described in the selling section above. This complete guide to buying air miles in 2026 explains it thoroughly.
This can make sense when the value of the upgrade (particularly on long-haul routes) significantly exceeds the cost of the additional points. Transactions through The Miles Market are completed within 24 hours, so it's a practical option even when a flight is approaching.
You can explore buying PlusPoints at The Miles Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do United PlusPoints expire?
Yes. PlusPoints expire when your elite status expires — typically 12 to 18 months after they were issued. If you downgrade from Platinum or 1K status, any remaining PlusPoints in your account will be forfeited. United introduced some alternative conversion options in 2025 (such as converting to PQP), but these typically offer poor value compared to using the points for upgrades or selling them.
Can I use United PlusPoints for someone else?
Yes. Premier Platinum and 1K members can use PlusPoints to request an upgrade for a companion travelling on the same booking. You cannot transfer PlusPoints directly to another MileagePlus account — the upgrade must be applied to a specific flight reservation.
Can I use United PlusPoints on Lufthansa?
Yes, on eligible Lufthansa-operated flights. The upgrade must be requested by calling United's Premier line — it cannot be done online. Availability depends on Lufthansa releasing upgrade inventory, and costs vary by route and fare class.
How many PlusPoints do I need to upgrade to business class?
Since United introduced dynamic pricing in 2025, the number of PlusPoints required varies by route, fare class, and demand. As a rough guide, a long-haul upgrade from Premium Plus to Polaris Business has historically required around 30 PlusPoints — but this can fluctuate. Check the current requirement when booking.
Can I sell United PlusPoints?
You cannot directly sell or transfer PlusPoints under United's terms. However, you can use your PlusPoints to sponsor an upgrade on another traveller's flight — which is permitted — and receive cash in return through a brokerage platform. This is how the secondary market for PlusPoints operates.
Can you use United PlusPoints on award tickets?
Generally, no. PlusPoints upgrades apply to revenue tickets in eligible fare classes. Award tickets are typically not eligible for PlusPoints upgrades, though it is worth confirming with United directly as policies can vary.
Don't Let Your PlusPoints Expire Unused
United PlusPoints lose their value the moment your elite status lapses — and with upgrade availability tighter than ever, waiting for the perfect flight is a gamble many members lose. The good news is there are real options beyond the standard upgrade request.
You can upgrade a friend or family member on an upcoming trip. You can explore partner airline upgrades on Lufthansa, ANA, or Copa. You can buy a few extra points to push yourself over the threshold for a long-haul upgrade. Or you can convert expiring points into cash through a trusted broker.
If selling makes sense for your situation, get a free quote from The Miles Market. No obligation, payment within 24 hours. And if you need to top up before a flight, buying PlusPoints is just as straightforward.
