United Now Lets You See Your Upgrade Waitlist Status 30 Days Before Departure

United Airlines is quietly rolling out a new feature that gives elite flyers and upgrade hopefuls more visibility — well before departure day.

As first reported by The Points Guy, the airline is now letting travelers view their position on the upgrade waitlist as early as 30 days before their flight.

Here’s what you need to know.

Check Your Place on United’s Upgrade List a Month Before Departure

United Airlines passengers can now preview where they stand on the upgrade list as early as 30 days before their flight. Previously, upgrade lists were only visible within a day or 2 of departure, leaving many to wonder where they stood or if they had a realistic shot at scoring a better seat.

This new upgrade tracking feature can be accessed through the United mobile app, but you need to ensure that you have the latest version installed (available on both iOS and Android).

Once updated, you can access the upgrade preview by navigating to your “My Trips” section, selecting the relevant reservation, and checking for a new “Upgrade Waitlist” prompt beneath your seat assignment.

Not seeing the option yet? That’s normal. The feature is currently in beta and is expected to roll out more broadly in the coming weeks. Since it’s still in testing, not all users will see the option right away in the app — and availability may vary based on your booking or account.

When visible, the waitlist display shows your current place in line for an upgrade and how many premium seats remain on the aircraft. This works for all types of upgrade requests, whether you’re using PlusPoints, MileagePlus miles, or counting on a complimentary Premier upgrade.

It’s worth noting that your spot on the list isn’t locked in — positions can shift as other travelers book, cancel, or change their itineraries. Still, being able to monitor your upgrade odds weeks in advance is a welcome dose of transparency, especially for elite flyers planning business or leisure travel.

As usual, the more detailed upgrade list — with checked-in passengers and available seats — will still appear closer to departure, typically within 48 hours of your flight.

This enhancement is part of United’s broader push toward making the upgrade process more visible and user-friendly. And while it doesn’t guarantee you’ll land a seat in Polaris or first class, it certainly helps set expectations long before you reach the gate.

Final Thoughts

United’s new upgrade waitlist preview is a welcome step toward more transparency for flyers. While it’s still rolling out and not available to everyone yet, being able to see your spot as early as 30 days before your departure date helps set realistic expectations and plan your trip better.

Keep an eye on the app as your travel date approaches — you might just get a clearer picture of your upgrade chances sooner than before.