United Airlines Elite Status: How to Reach it and What’s in it for You
Soon after Delta announced the revenue component to its frequent flyer program, so did United. The new United Mileage Plus program requires you not only fly certain amount of miles, but also spend a predetermined amount of money to reach elite status.
Despite the dramatic devaluation in terms of earning and redeeming miles in 2014, United MileagePlus remains one of the most valuable U.S. frequent flyer programs with the biggest number of airline partners and a generally good award availability.
Lingo
There are three elements in the United Airlines MileagePlus program. PQF stands for Premier Qualification Flights and is based on the number if flight segments flown. PQP stands for Premier Qualification Points and is based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharge of flight purchases, along with seating purchases and paid upgrades.
Earning the Status
- For Premier Silver you need fly 12 PQF and earn 4,000 PQP; OR earn 5,000 PQP (with a minimum of 4 segments flown on United or United Express).
- For Premier Gold: 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP; or 10,000 PQP (with a minimum of 4 segments flown on United or United Express).
- For Premier Platinum: 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP; or 15,000 PQP (with a minimum of 4 segments flown on United or United Express).
- For Premier 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP; or 24,000 PQP (with a minimum of 4 segments flown on United or United Express).
Elite status requirements
Upgrades
- All elites get Complimentary access to Economy Plus and Premier Upgrades, including a companion.
- Silver: Departure day
- Gold: 48 hours
- Platinum: 72 hours
- Gold: 96 hours
- Premier Silver elites and above get instant upgrades on full-fare economy tickets.
- Premier Gold elites and above get Regional Premier Upgrades.
- Premier 1K elites also get Global Premier Upgrades.
Mileage Bonus
- Premier Silver elites earn 7 miles per dollar
- Premier Gold earn 8 miles
- Premier Platinum earn 9 miles
- Premier 1K earn 11 miles
Premier Bonus Miles Deposit
- Premier Silver: 250 PQP
- Premier Gold: 500 PQP
- Premier Platinum: 750 PQP
- Premier 1K: 1,250 PQP
Fee Waivers
- Premier Silver and above: Checked Baggage Fees
- Silver: 1 bag/70lbs./32 kg
- Gold: 2 bags/70lbs./ 32 kg
- Platinum and 1K: 3 bags/70lbs./32 kg
- Premier Silver and above: Date changes 21 or more days prior to the date of travel
- Premier Gold and above: Same-Day Flight Changes
- Premier Platinum: Award Redeposit/Reissue Fees, booking an award ticket by phone, booking or changing an award ticket at any time
Airport Services
- Premier Silver and above: Priority Check In, Security, Boarding, and 3 complimentary checked bags in premium cabin (70lbs.).
Lounge Access
- Premier Gold and above: Free for member and one companion on international flights
Star Status
- Premier Silver — Star Silver
- Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K — Star Gold
Other Ways to Earn Status
Existing members can earn PQP with eligible Chase MileagePlus credit cards: United Explorer Card, United Quest Card, United Club Infinite Card. Those who carry the Chase United Gateway Card won’t be able to earn PQP.
Earning Miles on Partner Airlines
You can earn miles by flying on United partner airlines. With the introduction of the new revenue-based model, there are two options. If your flight is ticketed by United (even if you fly on a partner airline), you’ll earn your miles based on the fare and your MileagePlus status. If your flight is ticketed by a partner airline, you’ll earn your miles based on the flight distance, branded fare, and the purchased fare class/fair class flown. For more information, check this page.