Dec 12, 2014, 9:17 pm
Last edit by: aacharya
UA has a program called Premier Status Accelerator.
Summary -- for those with a purchased itinerary, you will be given the opportunity to purchase RDMs and then optionally, a similar number of PQPs. You are given two quantities to purchase (in the past it was X and 2X, but it has become more variable recently).. The numbers seem to have some relationship to the length of the existing itinerary.
The offer, for a purchased flight, will be found in your online reservation, It may say " Grow your award miles balance by purchasing Award Accelerator. "
You will have to select the Award Accelerator in all cases, if you want Premier Accelerator also, then select it next.
The purchased miles and PQP post quickly -- generally less than an hour or two.
Purchase price does not count for PQPs
The offer will be available once ticketed and then until the itinerary is completely flown. The mileage offered decreases as segments are flown.
The cpm rate can change at any time -- up or down. See the thread on Rates.
Don't have an open itinerary? Just "purchase" dummy itinerary as refundable or non-refundable on UA.com (offer not available on the UA App). After purchasing the miles/PQMs (must select the miles offer to see the PQP offer and must purchase the miles to purchase PQPs), cancel the dummy itinerary (if non-refundable do within the fee-free 24-hour cancellation window). The purchased miles/ PQPs are non-cancelable / non-refundable and will stay purchased even if the dummy itinerary is canceled.
As before there will be two offers, if the offer is too many miles try a shorter itinerary, even a OneWay -- say SFO-LAX. There does seem to be a minimum offer level but it varies for the individual. You don't need to purchase to see the options, they will be displayed on the "United Travel Options" page, the page before you enter your credit card info,
Attempt to change the offer amount
-- try an international itinerary (seems to increase the offer)
-- try an international with a partner (seems to increase the offer)
-- try an OW itinerary (seems to decrease the offer)
-- try a short sub-500 segment (seems to decrease the offer)
-- try itineraries with a higher or lower price (offers seems to track relative price)
In practice, there is no close form method to get a specific amount. UA has your information.
Related thread -
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2022]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2021]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2020]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2019]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2018]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2017]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2016]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2015]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2014]
Premier Accelerator
Premier Accelerator℠ helps you achieve Premier status faster by allowing you to purchase additional Premier qualifying points (PQP) or Premier qualifying flights (PQF). Premier Accelerator is available when purchased in combination with Award Accelerator.
Premier Accelerator℠ helps you achieve Premier status faster by allowing you to purchase additional Premier qualifying points (PQP) or Premier qualifying flights (PQF). Premier Accelerator is available when purchased in combination with Award Accelerator.
The offer, for a purchased flight, will be found in your online reservation, It may say " Grow your award miles balance by purchasing Award Accelerator. "
You will have to select the Award Accelerator in all cases, if you want Premier Accelerator also, then select it next.
The purchased miles and PQP post quickly -- generally less than an hour or two.
Purchase price does not count for PQPs
The offer will be available once ticketed and then until the itinerary is completely flown. The mileage offered decreases as segments are flown.
The cpm rate can change at any time -- up or down. See the thread on Rates.
Don't have an open itinerary? Just "purchase" dummy itinerary as refundable or non-refundable on UA.com (offer not available on the UA App). After purchasing the miles/PQMs (must select the miles offer to see the PQP offer and must purchase the miles to purchase PQPs), cancel the dummy itinerary (if non-refundable do within the fee-free 24-hour cancellation window). The purchased miles/ PQPs are non-cancelable / non-refundable and will stay purchased even if the dummy itinerary is canceled.
As before there will be two offers, if the offer is too many miles try a shorter itinerary, even a OneWay -- say SFO-LAX. There does seem to be a minimum offer level but it varies for the individual. You don't need to purchase to see the options, they will be displayed on the "United Travel Options" page, the page before you enter your credit card info,
Attempt to change the offer amount
-- try an international itinerary (seems to increase the offer)
-- try an international with a partner (seems to increase the offer)
-- try an OW itinerary (seems to decrease the offer)
-- try a short sub-500 segment (seems to decrease the offer)
-- try itineraries with a higher or lower price (offers seems to track relative price)
In practice, there is no close form method to get a specific amount. UA has your information.
Related thread -
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2022]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2021]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2020]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2019]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2018]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2017]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2016]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2015]
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2014]
Consolidated Award / Premier Accelerator questions
Oct 9, 2012 | 7:49 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK & US
Programs: BA Gold, UA Plat, A3* Gold, WN A+ CP, Marriott Plat Prem (LTP), Hilton Gold, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 93
So the PQM and RDM were billed as 2 separate amounts / line entries? I thought it would just be one grand total..
Oct 9, 2012 | 9:54 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 786
Nov 5, 2012 | 12:25 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Marriott Platinum; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,740
Award Accelerator Question
I am trying to use Award Accelerator (actually Premier Accelerator) on a existing reservation. I didn't seem to get the option when I booked the flight.
I went to this page on United's website and clicked Buy Now. It takes me to the reservation page but I don't see any option.
It's an IAD-SFO-IAD flight. I noticed that it says the option is only available on "qualifying" flights. Possible that this isn't qualifying? Hopefully I'm missing something.
Thanks
mods please feel free to move as appropriate.
I went to this page on United's website and clicked Buy Now. It takes me to the reservation page but I don't see any option.
It's an IAD-SFO-IAD flight. I noticed that it says the option is only available on "qualifying" flights. Possible that this isn't qualifying? Hopefully I'm missing something.
Thanks
mods please feel free to move as appropriate.
Nov 5, 2012 | 1:07 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Marriott Platinum; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,740
Apr 10, 2013 | 5:33 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: QF PS and spouse of QP Senior Lifer PS, UA, AA, DL, AS, AV, TK
Posts: 766
Award Accelerator for 2 pax
I tried to search this unsuccessfully.
Mrs QF ExLurker and I will travel together on a paid itinerary.
We each want to buy as many Award Accelerator RDMs as possible.
Is it OK if we buy one ticket for both of us, or would separate tickets create an offer of more Accelarator RDMs?
Also, the same question for award itineraries. If we are both on the same award ticket, do we get a lower RDM Accelerator offer than being on separate award tickets?
We both have the same MP status and the same EQMs so far this year, if that is relevant.
Thank you
Mrs QF ExLurker and I will travel together on a paid itinerary.
We each want to buy as many Award Accelerator RDMs as possible.
Is it OK if we buy one ticket for both of us, or would separate tickets create an offer of more Accelarator RDMs?
Also, the same question for award itineraries. If we are both on the same award ticket, do we get a lower RDM Accelerator offer than being on separate award tickets?
We both have the same MP status and the same EQMs so far this year, if that is relevant.
Thank you
Sep 11, 2013 | 7:57 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Award Accelerator Limits?
It is not clear to me whether award accelerator purchases are included in the maximum 100k miles that one can purchase in a year. If I have already purchased 100k personal miles, can I still buy award accelerator miles?
Sep 11, 2013 | 12:20 pm
#39
Company Representative, United Airlines
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Sep 11, 2013 | 8:57 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Hi wolfman888, Award Accelerator miles are not included in the 100,000 mile cap for our separate Buy Miles / Personal Miles products. There is also no limit to the number of Award Accelerator numbers you can buy.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Sep 12, 2013 | 12:08 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Okay, I'm looking at buying PQMs to the tune of 33,000 miles.
If I do so, wouldn't it make me automatically Premier Silver which means I get a 25% bonus on my next flight (in 2 weeks time)? If so with just one roundtrip flight (which I'm doing) with that purchase, I would have the 50,000 miles needed this year to quality for Premier Gold?
If I do so, wouldn't it make me automatically Premier Silver which means I get a 25% bonus on my next flight (in 2 weeks time)? If so with just one roundtrip flight (which I'm doing) with that purchase, I would have the 50,000 miles needed this year to quality for Premier Gold?
Last edited by alphaod; Sep 12, 2013 at 12:20 am
Sep 12, 2013 | 12:29 am
#43
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,948
Sep 12, 2013 | 12:53 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
If I instead credit my next flight to my CA account, I will reach their Platinum status which I guess would be the equivalent of 1K status on United. They don't do op-ups (not really), but I get someone to pick me up at the gate, exclusive phone number, agents will usually do more to make me happy; The only issue their website is pretty horrid when it comes to redeem my mileage for anything as their redemption site for some reason only works with IE in Windows.
My flying is done primarily through Air China as I do now live in China.
Sep 12, 2013 | 1:05 am
#45
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,948
does that include the costs of the required RDM purchase?
It is usually best to have status on the airline that you use the most, to get the most from elite benefits.
However, UA presently has one of the most generous mileage award travel programs, so some who normally do paid travel in premium cabin and make less use of elite benefits do sometimes chosen to credit UA.
It is usually best to have status on the airline that you use the most, to get the most from elite benefits.
However, UA presently has one of the most generous mileage award travel programs, so some who normally do paid travel in premium cabin and make less use of elite benefits do sometimes chosen to credit UA.