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United Airlines is making some dramatic changes to its MileagePlus program.
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United Airlines is increasing its elite status qualifications significantly in 2023.
United is also making a few customer-friendly adjustments to how you achieve those qualifications.
United Airlines credit cards are one of the best ways to earn elite status — handy, because all personal cards offer increased bonuses.
Read Insider’s guide to the best airline credit cards.
United Airlines elite status comes with benefits such as:
Up to three free checked bagsFree access to Economy PlusBonus miles when you buy flights through United AirlinesStar Alliance elite status (which allows you to do things like enter airline lounges)Pre-boarding
Depending on which status you earn, your travel experience could be dramatically improved.
However, United Airlines recently announced big changes coming to its program. Specifically, you’ll have to earn lots more PQPs and PQFs to achieve status. In case you’re unfamiliar with the lingo:
PQPs are Premier Qualifying Points. You earn 1 point per dollar spent with United Airlines — and you can earn elite status by earning a specific number of points.PQFs are Premier Qualifying Flights. You can earn elite status by completing a specific number of segments each year — coupled with Premier Qualifying Points.
However, United Airlines also announced some changes that soften this news. Those with the following United Airlines credit cards will be the most pleased with these tweaks:
United Quest℠ Card — United Quest℠ CardUnited Club℠ Infinite Card — United Club℠ Infinite Card
Both of those cards also have limited-time increased welcome bonuses, as well. If you plan to pursue United Airlines elite status in 2023, there’s never been a better time to open a United Airlines credit card.
Here’s what you need to know.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Bad news: Earning United elite status will require more qualifying flights and points
United Airlines’ elite status requirements are about to get a lot higher. The number of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) is increasing between 33% and 60%.
Here’s a comparison of what’s currently required vs what will soon be required in 2023.
StatusCurrent requirementsRequirements beginning in 2023Premier Silver8 PQFs and 3,000 PQPs OR 3,500 PQPs12 PQFs and 4,000 PQPs OR 5,000 PQPsPremier Gold16 PQFs and 6,000 PQPs OR 7,000 PQPs24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs OR 10,000 PQPsPremier Platinum24 PQFs and 9,000 PQPs OR 10,000 PQPs36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs OR 15,000 PQPsPremier 1K36 PQFs and 13,500 PQPs OR 15,000 PQPs54 PQFs and 18,000 PQPs OR 24,000 PQPs
That’s a very disappointing hike. To try and make up for the difference, however, United Airlines has expanded the ways you can meet these requirements (as we’ll explore below).
Good news: United credit cards can get you closer than ever to elite status
Some United credit cards, such as the United Quest℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card, and United Club℠ Infinite Card, give you the ability to earn PQPs for meeting spending thresholds.
Previously, United Airlines would only allow you to earn a total of 5,000 PQPs across all your United cards. That’s since been upgraded to 15,000 PQPs (a huge improvement).
Plus, beginning in 2023, two United cards now allow you to earn significantly more PQPs:
United Quest℠ Card — 6,000 PQPs per year (previously 3,000)United Club℠ Infinite Card — 8,000 PQPs per year (previously 4,000)
The United Club℠ Business Card continues to offer a maximum of 1,000 PQPs per year.
While this cap increase is a welcome change, it’s still not easy to earn PQPs this way. For every $12,000 you spend, you’ll receive 500 PQPs. In other words, you’ll have to spend $144,000 on the United Quest℠ Card — and $192,000 on United Club℠ Infinite Card — to earn the maximum number of PQPs.
Good news: Award flights will help you earn elite status
Beginning January 1, 2023, award flights on United Airlines will earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) for the first time. You’ll receive:
1 PQP for every 100 miles you redeem1 PQF for every segment you fly with miles
This means you could hypothetically earn top-tier United Airlines elite status just by booking award flights. But it wouldn’t be practical for most of us — unless you’re a big spender that can mitigate the PQP requirements with United credit cards.
Still, these more lenient rules will undoubtedly be a huge boon to frequent flyers stretching for status.
Good news: Current United elites will get a boost to their qualifying points balance in 2023
If you already hold United Airlines elite status, you’ll receive a token number of PQPs to begin your 2023 elite status journey:
Premier Silver — 500 PQPsPremier Gold — 1,000 PQPsPremier Platinum — 1,500 PQPsPremier 1K — 2,500 PQPs
This will make earning status marginally easier — though if you’ve already got Platinum or 1K status, you’re probably not struggling to achieve the PQP requirements, anyway.
Bottom line
In 2023, United Airlines’ elite status requirements will become significantly higher — up to 60% higher in some cases.
However, the means by which you earn elite status will become more relaxed. With award flights now counting toward status, select United credit cards now earning double the PQPs as before, and a PQP boost to current elites, elite status may be considered a wash to most — and even easier to earn for some (namely, big spenders).