Accelerator PQM prices vary greatly by two primary* factors: person and time of year. Someone near 1K may be charged more than a counterpart near Gold. This is sometimes viewed as "mistreatment" of United's most-loyal customers, however, when the relative worth of achieving 1K vs. Gold is considered it makes sense to some.

As for time of year, October is a tad early for that to be a factor, however December definitely is. To wit, United knows it's increasingly difficult for customers to fly to earn the PQMs they need, so they charge more.

*Other factors may include one's propensity (history) to buy. Eager buyers may be charged more.

RNE, seeing 10k PQMs for 8-cent each, but I'm a lowly Silver nowhere near re-qualifying. United knows I'm unlikely to pay much (if anything) for a PQM.