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
Aug 9, 2015, 4:41 pm
#886
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: 66,824
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...re-flight.html
Aug 9, 2015, 5:10 pm
#887
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,069
The consensus on FT is that you call in discrepancies after the flights.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 9, 2015 at 6:48 pm Reason: repaired quote
Aug 9, 2015, 6:46 pm
#888
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Aug 9, 2015, 6:53 pm
#889
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: 66,824
Segment by segment earning when partners are involved is tricky. If on 016 ticket stock it is generally easy to determine for the entire ticket (assuming all segments are PQD earning).
Aug 10, 2015, 8:17 am
#890
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,069
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion Thread [2014-15]
Yeah so that's the issue. It's on 014 stock with 2 segments operated by UA. Those 2 segments are PQD eligible but I have no way to reliably dispute if I'm awarded 2PQDs for one of the legs.
Aug 15, 2015, 11:36 pm
#891
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExecPlat
Posts: 820
I have an issue I'm hoping someone will have experience with.
I recently flew a SFO-FRA RT that was ticketed in V both ways with the exact same cost for both the outbound and the return. The routing was SFO-IAD-FRA and the reverse for the return. The PQDs posted as expected for the outbound, but the return was where it got weird.
I decided to change my return routing from FRA-IAD-SFO to FRA-IAH-SFO using a same day change. Since there was no availability in V for the new routing, I was charged an extra $160 to upfare to an H so that the ticket could be changed. For whatever reason, the change fee was waived, so all I paid was the fare difference. Fast forward a few days and the PQDs have posted for FRA-IAH-SFO, and the numbers are identical to what I got for the outbound, and the description lists my flown class as ZV (I was upgraded). The receipt I got when the ticket was reissued even shows the new fare class for the return legs in H before the agent reapplied my upgrade.
I mainly accepted the additional charge since I understood it was a fare difference and I thought it would count towards PQDs. Was I wrong in this assumption? Would UA likely credit me the additional PQDs if I called them up with this issue?
I recently flew a SFO-FRA RT that was ticketed in V both ways with the exact same cost for both the outbound and the return. The routing was SFO-IAD-FRA and the reverse for the return. The PQDs posted as expected for the outbound, but the return was where it got weird.
I decided to change my return routing from FRA-IAD-SFO to FRA-IAH-SFO using a same day change. Since there was no availability in V for the new routing, I was charged an extra $160 to upfare to an H so that the ticket could be changed. For whatever reason, the change fee was waived, so all I paid was the fare difference. Fast forward a few days and the PQDs have posted for FRA-IAH-SFO, and the numbers are identical to what I got for the outbound, and the description lists my flown class as ZV (I was upgraded). The receipt I got when the ticket was reissued even shows the new fare class for the return legs in H before the agent reapplied my upgrade.
I mainly accepted the additional charge since I understood it was a fare difference and I thought it would count towards PQDs. Was I wrong in this assumption? Would UA likely credit me the additional PQDs if I called them up with this issue?
Aug 15, 2015, 11:46 pm
#892
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Aug 16, 2015, 11:22 am
#893
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,095
I decided to change my return routing from FRA-IAD-SFO to FRA-IAH-SFO using a same day change. Since there was no availability in V for the new routing, I was charged an extra $160 to upfare to an H so that the ticket could be changed. For whatever reason, the change fee was waived, so all I paid was the fare difference.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...daychange.aspx
Aug 26, 2015, 6:05 pm
#894
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,121
Recent transcon in paid F @ 11cpm (kind of sad I'm booking paid F below the threshold to earn 1K w/ 100k PQM).
The hilarious bits were the SFO-RDD-SFO segments, which on a CRJ booked into full Y. PQD? $38 and $40, respectively.
The hilarious bits were the SFO-RDD-SFO segments, which on a CRJ booked into full Y. PQD? $38 and $40, respectively.
Aug 26, 2015, 7:05 pm
#895
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,156
At least I'm sitting at just over $20k+ in PQD, so I don't have to watch it as carefully. Still trying to figure out how hard I want to work for the 14.5 segments I'd need to make 1K for the first time, though (Lowest CPM this year is $0.04 CLE-DEN-PDX (lowest available); highest is $1.32 and a tie between CLE-ORD-MSP and MSP-ORD-CLE (flexible) with an average of $0.48 per flown mile (most tickets being flexible)).
Aug 27, 2015, 8:49 am
#896
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: UA 1k 1mil. Marriott Titanium
Posts: 202
Had to call 1K desk to use up residual fares from a changed int'l reservation.
The agent booked the flights and class of service I requested.
P class going, Z class return.
She came out with a PQD of $865.01.
There was a tax amount of $64.49 difference, from my web search and hers.
She went online and try to replicate the booking, the search came back with my figures. She had to call the rate desk, and came back to tell me her numbers are correct.
So I told her that we need to spend $927 min to put us over the 12K PQD.
She then changed the return from Z to A.
And the last of the fiasco was : when it was all done and paid for, I looked on line.
There is a line MileagePlus earnings : PQD $917.
I almost freaked out. After spending 15 mins with the 1K agent, informing her that I need a base fare of >$927. And here we are $10 short.
Only after I went into View Receipt : that the correct base fare is shown as
$946.36.
I spent almost 30 mins trying to book a simple reservation, applied the electronic vouchers.
The agent booked the flights and class of service I requested.
P class going, Z class return.
She came out with a PQD of $865.01.
There was a tax amount of $64.49 difference, from my web search and hers.
She went online and try to replicate the booking, the search came back with my figures. She had to call the rate desk, and came back to tell me her numbers are correct.
So I told her that we need to spend $927 min to put us over the 12K PQD.
She then changed the return from Z to A.
And the last of the fiasco was : when it was all done and paid for, I looked on line.
There is a line MileagePlus earnings : PQD $917.
I almost freaked out. After spending 15 mins with the 1K agent, informing her that I need a base fare of >$927. And here we are $10 short.
Only after I went into View Receipt : that the correct base fare is shown as
$946.36.
I spent almost 30 mins trying to book a simple reservation, applied the electronic vouchers.
I'm am so far away 12k pqd. I may hit 100k pqm and not even qualify for 6k pqd gold status. I had no issue last year to get the pqd but this year my routes were available in N class. I bought up before to use my GPU's but I didn't clear the waitlist. And going from N to W is huge. Considering the products have gotten better in economy and businessfirst remains the same I question if 1k is worth it anymore. Platinum maybe better since I just need flexibility with using miles. It's almost Sept and nothing has been announced about benefits for next year. If UA will provide a better product and benefits for 1k next year I would go for it but as it stands now it doesn't seem to be worth it to pay more for the same product that has been in place for the past few years.
Aug 27, 2015, 8:55 am
#897
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: SPG LT Plat/P100, UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 532
If I'm booked on LH Metal/Flight #, but a 016 ticket number, the flight should count towards PQD and receive award miles according to the fare/premier level right? Just booked a r/t via a corporate travel agent and the outbound is on United and return is on LH.
The LH segments don't show up on United.com which I found to be strange. LH site indicates a 016 ticket number for the LH segments as well though. Thanks!
The LH segments don't show up on United.com which I found to be strange. LH site indicates a 016 ticket number for the LH segments as well though. Thanks!
Aug 27, 2015, 7:59 pm
#898
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SJO
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 1,229
qualification requirements for status/outside USA
I may qualify for status, but of course the dollars spent are very little, I am actually eligible for Latin America residence but I dont want to change it unless there is some advantage of course
Is there a way to know what the requirements are without having to change my address?
Is there a way to know what the requirements are without having to change my address?
Aug 27, 2015, 8:27 pm
#899
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
The requirements are exactly the same except there's no spending requirement.
Aug 27, 2015, 9:38 pm
#900
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
If I'm booked on LH Metal/Flight #, but a 016 ticket number, the flight should count towards PQD and receive award miles according to the fare/premier level right? Just booked a r/t via a corporate travel agent and the outbound is on United and return is on LH.
The LH segments don't show up on United.com which I found to be strange. LH site indicates a 016 ticket number for the LH segments as well though. Thanks!
The LH segments don't show up on United.com which I found to be strange. LH site indicates a 016 ticket number for the LH segments as well though. Thanks!
And yes, 016 ticket means you'll get PQD and award miles by fare, however, that is assuming this is a normal published fare that the TA sold. If it is a bulk fare, which is certainly possible with a coporate TA, no PQD and miles will be based on percentage of distance based on fare class. You can usually tell by looking at the e-receipt on UA.com - if the price shows like it normally does then it should be a published fare - if the fare doesn't show on the e-receipt, then its a bulk TA fare.
I may qualify for status, but of course the dollars spent are very little, I am actually eligible for Latin America residence but I dont want to change it unless there is some advantage of course
Is there a way to know what the requirements are without having to change my address?
Is there a way to know what the requirements are without having to change my address?