Jan 1, 2014, 6:30 am
Last edit by: chrisl137
Please read these sources before posting in this thread: If you have calculated the PQDs for a trip at less than 80% of the total cost, you are very likely doing something wrong. Have you made sure to include the International Surcharge (YQ)? Have you read all of the materials linked above, and the frequently made points listed below?
Specific Unanswered Questions
Please limit these to specific, technical questions about the implementation of the PQD program. FMP (Frequently Made Points)
The following points have been made repeatedly in this thread (please feel free to add more concise points): Related Threads
Moderator's note:- First post from UA Insider (post 1)
- http://www.mileageplusupdates.com/faqs.html
- Additional answers from UA Insider (post 1387)
- more information about questions posed in this thread published to mileageplusupdates.com, per UA Insider
Specific Unanswered Questions
Please limit these to specific, technical questions about the implementation of the PQD program.
- Will there be a calculator that shows PQD, and will that calculator be accurate?
- What exactly will count toward PQD?
United states:
Base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Flights flown by United, United Express, or Copa Airlines
Flights operated by a Star Alliance® or a MileagePlus partner airline and issued on a United ticket (ticket number starting with 016)
Economy Plus purchases
The value of ETCs if used as a form of payment on the checkout page
will count towards PQD.
Thus:- The amount of co-pay when using miles to upgrade..
- The cost of PQMs/RDMs purchased when using the premier / award accelerator..
- The face value e-certs and travel vouchers.. (still uncertainty on this since prelim PQDs appeared to include)
- The cost of a paid upgrade..
- An extra seat purchase (such as for a customer of size or a musical instrument); it does not presently count toward PQM.
- Change fees.
- How will PQD be determined for UA metal segments without 016 stock ticket?
- What happens if I depart in December and return in January?
Just like PQM, PQD for the applicable part of fare for the segment is credited based on the departure date (year) of the segment flown. Segment fares are calculated using standard rules of the past. For the case cited there would be PQD credited in DEC 2013 (no value) and PQD applied to 2014 applicable to 2014 and 2015 status renewal. - How will UA evaluate the address issue for the PQD exemption?
- It is not clear how the timing of achieving the minimum PQD requirement will impact earning RPUs and GPUs. Examples:
- If someone crosses 75K PQM in say April, but doesn't hit $7500 PQD until December by which time has accrued 200K PQM, will he/she get 10 RPUs all at once? (and 10 GPUs assuming $10k PQD in December)
- Do only 1Ks/GSs earn additional RPUs by flying beyond the 100k mark?
- If a 1K crosses the 100,000 PQM mark in January 201x, the $10,000 PQD mark on December 31 201x, and ends up flying a total of 200,000 PQMs for the year 201x, how many RPUs / GPUs will be earned?
- Will Platinums earn 2 RPUs when crossing the 75k mark but none at incremental levels thereafter (e.g. a Plat who flies 100k EQMs, but does not meet the 1K spend, would *not* earn two more RPUs)?
- If someone crosses 75K PQM in say April, but doesn't hit $7500 PQD until December by which time has accrued 200K PQM, will he/she get 10 RPUs all at once? (and 10 GPUs assuming $10k PQD in December)
- How does IRROPs affect earning of PQDs?
- If one travels on a non-016 ticket originally booked non-UA/Copa metal, will one earn PQDs if rebooked onto UA?
- If one travels on a non-016 ticket originally booked on UA/Copa metal, but is rebooked onto non UA/Copa metal, will one still get credit for PQDs in these scenarios:
- The UA/Copa segment was the source of the irrops?
- The segment of another carrier causes the irrops, the carrier is a *A or UA/Copa partner?
- The segment of another carrier causes the irrops, the carrier is not a *A or UA/Copa partner?
The following points have been made repeatedly in this thread (please feel free to add more concise points):
- You might not be hitting the PQD minimums as easily as you think you are, given exceptions, taxes, and the existence of cheap fares.
- It is possible for leisure travelers and even some business travelers to average well under 10cpm. This doesn't just affect "leisure 1Ks" and people on the edge of categories.
- Presidential Plus card members (exempted from Silver/Gold/Plat PQD requirements) are most likely exempted because the FlexPQM program would complicate matters.
- Manufacturing $25,000 spend might not actually be so hard. There's a whole forum on it.
- The $25,000 spend can be done across multiple Chase MP cards, as long as the cards are tied to the same MileagePlus account.
- The exceptions don't really make sense where there is a revenue-sharing joint venture in place, such as with LH on TATL routes.
- Leaving UA for AA over objections to dollar-based status may be futile because all the majors will likely go to this model with the possible exception of the AS program which allows you to bank your DL and AA miles into one account (DL has already).
- UA is tracking spend on UA metal now.
- YQ, also known as the "international surcharge," is a carrier-imposed surcharge and is included in PQD.
- How to book 016 PQD earning tickets when no UA, UX, Copa metal flights are on itinerary.
- Do You Think UA Will Lose a Lot of Revenue With Less MR?
- Any Drawbacks from having MP account registered to foreign address?
- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...nited-com.html
- Incorrect/Ineligible PQD/PQM/RDM Information showing on my itinerary.
Previous thread can be found here:
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion [ARCHIVE]
iluv2fly
Moderator, UA
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion Thread
Jan 1, 2014, 8:42 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
Is the United Club card not the same as the Presidential Plus card? I have the Club card and do not see the waiver.
Jan 1, 2014, 8:46 pm
#62
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
PresPlus is not longer offered for new customers and has the FlexPQM option. Both cards do include UC membership but other benefits differ.
The Club Card does not get the straight PQD waiver (Plat or lower) but with $25K spend gets the standard Chase MP card PQD waiver (Plat or lower).
Jan 1, 2014, 9:44 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
No there are different cards.
PresPlus is not longer offered for new customers and has the FlexPQM option. Both cards do include UC membership but other benefits differ.
The Club Card does not get the straight PQD waiver (Plat or lower) but with $25K spend gets the standard Chase MP card PQD waiver (Plat or lower).
PresPlus is not longer offered for new customers and has the FlexPQM option. Both cards do include UC membership but other benefits differ.
The Club Card does not get the straight PQD waiver (Plat or lower) but with $25K spend gets the standard Chase MP card PQD waiver (Plat or lower).
Ug. With my spend the last few years $11-13K I easily make the Plat EQD. I'm just not sure how much of my 11-13K was taxes/fees for all domestic travel. We'll see I guess.
Jan 1, 2014, 10:40 pm
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
Thanks. I guess I was confused because I though the Pres Plat card became the Club Card. Guess not.
Ug. With my spend the last few years $11-13K I easily make the Plat EQD. I'm just not sure how much of my 11-13K was taxes/fees for all domestic travel. We'll see I guess.
Ug. With my spend the last few years $11-13K I easily make the Plat EQD. I'm just not sure how much of my 11-13K was taxes/fees for all domestic travel. We'll see I guess.
So you'll need ~$11,800 a.i. to clear the 1K PQD threshold
Jan 2, 2014, 6:49 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
Let's consider 2 customers.
#1 flies 100,000 miles in 2014, and spends $10,001.00 in PQD. #2 flies 80,000 in 2014, spends $8,000 in PQD, and purchases 20,001 PQM miles that cost $2,001.00. Customer #1 spent $10,001.00 with United, and Customer #2 spent $10,001.00 with United.
Why is customer #2 "low hanging fruit" when his/her spend was the same as customer #1? Since customer #2 didn't occupy 20,000 miles worth of seat, enabling UA to sell that seat to someone else, isn't customer #2 more beneficial to UA's bottom line?
#1 flies 100,000 miles in 2014, and spends $10,001.00 in PQD. #2 flies 80,000 in 2014, spends $8,000 in PQD, and purchases 20,001 PQM miles that cost $2,001.00. Customer #1 spent $10,001.00 with United, and Customer #2 spent $10,001.00 with United.
Why is customer #2 "low hanging fruit" when his/her spend was the same as customer #1? Since customer #2 didn't occupy 20,000 miles worth of seat, enabling UA to sell that seat to someone else, isn't customer #2 more beneficial to UA's bottom line?
Last edited by DelrayChris; Jan 2, 2014 at 6:59 am
Jan 2, 2014, 7:20 am
#66
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Do ticket purchases factor differently than mile purchases on UA's SEC filings? It either has something to do with that or with UA not wanting people to be able to, in effect, buy their status. Allowing people to buy their status or to have certain requirements waived with a stupid credit card only serves to dilute the program.
Clearly United is willing to let people purchase status at some price through the use of mileage/premiere accelerator. It is IMO a bit silly not to have those purchases credit to PQD unless United wants to engage in modestly deceptive practices in selling PQMs. Given the PQM rates at even the best of times, it clears the 10cpm hurdle, so no issue there.
Jan 2, 2014, 7:44 am
#67
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
Well, mileage purchases are pure profit compared to the ticket purchase for which UA must allocate some cost. Although that's probably an accounting issue not an SEC issue.
Clearly United is willing to let people purchase status at some price through the use of mileage/premiere accelerator. It is IMO a bit silly not to have those purchases credit to PQD unless United wants to engage in modestly deceptive practices in selling PQMs. Given the PQM rates at even the best of times, it clears the 10cpm hurdle, so no issue there.
Clearly United is willing to let people purchase status at some price through the use of mileage/premiere accelerator. It is IMO a bit silly not to have those purchases credit to PQD unless United wants to engage in modestly deceptive practices in selling PQMs. Given the PQM rates at even the best of times, it clears the 10cpm hurdle, so no issue there.
Jan 2, 2014, 8:09 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,683
Well, mileage purchases are pure profit compared to the ticket purchase for which UA must allocate some cost. Although that's probably an accounting issue not an SEC issue.
Clearly United is willing to let people purchase status at some price through the use of mileage/premiere accelerator. It is IMO a bit silly not to have those purchases credit to PQD unless United wants to engage in modestly deceptive practices in selling PQMs. Given the PQM rates at even the best of times, it clears the 10cpm hurdle, so no issue there.
Clearly United is willing to let people purchase status at some price through the use of mileage/premiere accelerator. It is IMO a bit silly not to have those purchases credit to PQD unless United wants to engage in modestly deceptive practices in selling PQMs. Given the PQM rates at even the best of times, it clears the 10cpm hurdle, so no issue there.
Jan 2, 2014, 8:52 am
#69
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
The Club Card does that.
Happy New Year!
Jan 2, 2014, 9:04 am
#70
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 951
This seems not to be consistent (SHOCKER) with what UA Insider said here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20953752-post1387.html
Jan 2, 2014, 9:16 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kacee
Won't earn PQDs without a 2014 departure - 12/31 departure with 1/1 arrival doesn't count.
This is to bad. Any idea why? Was this posted somewhere before yesterday?
This seems not to be consistent (SHOCKER) with what UA Insider said here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20953752-post1387.html
Originally Posted by Kacee
Won't earn PQDs without a 2014 departure - 12/31 departure with 1/1 arrival doesn't count.
This is to bad. Any idea why? Was this posted somewhere before yesterday?
This seems not to be consistent (SHOCKER) with what UA Insider said here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20953752-post1387.html
In the case where you have a 12/31 red eye landing on 1/1, and then a connection on 1/1, the amount allocated to the connection should count toward 2014 PQD.
Jan 2, 2014, 9:34 am
#72
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
Something that has struck me as strange, since this was announced, is why does E+ purchases count for PQD? I doubt that many Golds and Higher are buying E+, as they get it for free. How many Silvers are buying E+ vs playing the T-24 Lottery?
GM's aren't going to care, as they are not concerned about status. It seems to be only the group of folks transitioning from GM->Silver or Silver->Golds that will actually be purchasing E+ for PQD.
If this is supposed to be about your revenue spend, then Baggage Fees and Upgrades would seem to be logical. But Baggage Fees fall into the same category as E+, as once you reach Gold what fees are you paying?
Upgrades can be large $$$. I don't mean the rumored cheap TOD's at checkin. I mean the big $$ upgrades you get offered at reservation time. I suppose this is one of the unanswered questions.
For example. On my first trip booked in January, the full out fare was ~$750. Now just before/after purchase I was offered an opportunity to upgrade all eligible segments (3 of 4) to FC for another ~$2200, bring the total fare to almost $3000. Now what is really opaque here is whether the extra $$ I would spend for the upgrade would be eligible for PQDs? I think they should be, but nothing I seen makes this clear. I'd be pretty pissed if I spent another 2K and did not get any PQDs.
GM's aren't going to care, as they are not concerned about status. It seems to be only the group of folks transitioning from GM->Silver or Silver->Golds that will actually be purchasing E+ for PQD.
If this is supposed to be about your revenue spend, then Baggage Fees and Upgrades would seem to be logical. But Baggage Fees fall into the same category as E+, as once you reach Gold what fees are you paying?
Upgrades can be large $$$. I don't mean the rumored cheap TOD's at checkin. I mean the big $$ upgrades you get offered at reservation time. I suppose this is one of the unanswered questions.
For example. On my first trip booked in January, the full out fare was ~$750. Now just before/after purchase I was offered an opportunity to upgrade all eligible segments (3 of 4) to FC for another ~$2200, bring the total fare to almost $3000. Now what is really opaque here is whether the extra $$ I would spend for the upgrade would be eligible for PQDs? I think they should be, but nothing I seen makes this clear. I'd be pretty pissed if I spent another 2K and did not get any PQDs.
Jan 2, 2014, 10:01 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
This could, of course, be urban legend...
Jan 2, 2014, 10:56 am
#74
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Cant remember, is the YTD Premier qualifying dollars waived for Prez Plus card member
I know this probably already addressed.
I was looking at my account online, the website has been updated to reflect your YTD Premier qualifying dollars and 4 flight segment minimum.
For me, the YTD Premier qualifying dollars shows '0', but the 4 flight segment minimum shows "Waived"
This leads me to believe that perhaps I am still subject to the YTD Premier qualifying dollars 2500 minimum to re-qualify for lowly Silver
I was looking at my account online, the website has been updated to reflect your YTD Premier qualifying dollars and 4 flight segment minimum.
For me, the YTD Premier qualifying dollars shows '0', but the 4 flight segment minimum shows "Waived"
This leads me to believe that perhaps I am still subject to the YTD Premier qualifying dollars 2500 minimum to re-qualify for lowly Silver
Jan 2, 2014, 11:02 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,426
I know this probably already addressed.
I was looking at my account online, the website has been updated to reflect your YTD Premier qualifying dollars and 4 flight segment minimum.
For me, the YTD Premier qualifying dollars shows '0', but the 4 flight segment minimum shows "Waived"
This leads me to believe that perhaps I am still subject to the YTD Premier qualifying dollars 2500 minimum to re-qualify for lowly Silver
I was looking at my account online, the website has been updated to reflect your YTD Premier qualifying dollars and 4 flight segment minimum.
For me, the YTD Premier qualifying dollars shows '0', but the 4 flight segment minimum shows "Waived"
This leads me to believe that perhaps I am still subject to the YTD Premier qualifying dollars 2500 minimum to re-qualify for lowly Silver
unt' screen select 'View Premier Progress' and a popup should show "Presidential Plus PQD waiver - Eligible."