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United Airlines recently unveiled significant updates to its Premier elite status program, potentially impacting frequent flyers who rely on points and miles for travel. The airline is increasing the requirements for earning Premier status in 2025, making it more challenging for travelers to reach elite tiers.
New thresholds for Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) have been set, with some tiers, like Premier 1K, requiring as much as $28,000 in spend when following the PQP-only track. While this move reflects the first adjustment since the introduction of these criteria in 2019, United argues that the changes aim to balance the value exchanged between the airline and its customers.
Despite the increase on qualifying thresholds, United is enhancing its PlusPoints upgrade system, addressing previous challenges faced by customers. PlusPoints serve as an upgrade currency, previously difficult to redeem due to high premium cabin demand. In a welcome change, United will introduce new redemption options, including converting PlusPoints to TravelBank cash or gifting Premier status to others. This change to PlusPoints promises increased flexibility and utility for travelers.
80,000
Bonus Miles
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee: $0 for your first year, then $150.
90,000
Bonus Miles
and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee: $350
Our Take
While this is being hailed as a welcome change by United, the increase in qualifying points for Premier status makes earning status more inaccessible to more travelers who already felt like the previous requirements were a stretch. The adjustments underscore a growing trend among airlines to refine elite programs, creating more exclusivity to premium perks for those who meet heightened criteria.
It is understandable that United would make changes to its PlusPoints program due to how hard it was to use PlusPoints and how difficult it was to get upgrades via status. By offering diverse options for utilizing PlusPoints, United provides additional avenues for travelers to extract value from their points.
Earn 125,000
Bonus Miles
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee: $150
95,000
Bonus Miles
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $695
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Bonus Miles
once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
bonus points
after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
