Jun 18, 2013, 7:18 am
Last edit by: iluv2fly
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
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 value of ETCs (or is it considered a discount from the fare?). (still uncertainty on this since prelim PQDs appeared to include) -Note: the Mileage plus site indicates ETC's count towards PQD (12/16/13 imgonnafly)
- 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?
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 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.
2014 version of this thread can be found here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1536552-mileageplus-premier-qualifying-dollar-pqd-requirement-discussion-thread-2014-a-15.html
iluv2fly
Moderator, UA
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion [ARCHIVE]
Jun 18, 2013, 9:06 am
#196
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,521
We can only hope that UA has a contemporaneous PQD tracker analogous to the PQM tracker on the web site, but the FAQs do not indicate that this will be the case.
Jun 18, 2013, 9:06 am
#197
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,546
I guess this is one way to make me feel slightly less bitter about the devaluation of my MM status, slightly more bitter about the Infinite Elites, and very curious if they will at least push the credit card holders to Group 3 or somehow otherwise give Golds a better boarding experience.
Ignoring FT flyers, who are a unique sample, I'm very curious about how many elites at each level already hit these levels. I see a new breed of MR in 2014... Not "what's the most efficient way to get the last 5k miles?" but "what's the most expensive, but shortest, flight I can take to get the last $1k in spend?". (Or some really creative Duty Free spending sprees onboard... :-)).
Ignoring FT flyers, who are a unique sample, I'm very curious about how many elites at each level already hit these levels. I see a new breed of MR in 2014... Not "what's the most efficient way to get the last 5k miles?" but "what's the most expensive, but shortest, flight I can take to get the last $1k in spend?". (Or some really creative Duty Free spending sprees onboard... :-)).
Jun 18, 2013, 9:07 am
#198
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 928
Airlines are no longer looking to reward "loyal" i.e. "frequent" flyers. They are looking for each seat to be as profitable as possible. As they should if they want to stay in business, and with 85%+ load factors they can.
Every other successful industry defines their "best" or most loyal customers as those who spend the most money with them.
Getting rid of the MR-types who earn status on frequency or mileage-accumulation, on cheap fares, is part of the plan. Buh-bye.
Every other successful industry defines their "best" or most loyal customers as those who spend the most money with them.
Getting rid of the MR-types who earn status on frequency or mileage-accumulation, on cheap fares, is part of the plan. Buh-bye.
It's probably a good business plan for manufacturing income opportunity with your current inventory of what you can sell.
I'm not sure I like it though, when an airline "improves a business" in a manner that does not improve the brand. I create the illusion of success by changing my current accounting, but don't offer anything new of any value to the customer to enhance my brand.
Regardless, as soon as DL did this, it was only a matter of time for UA.
Jun 18, 2013, 9:08 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Jun 18, 2013, 9:09 am
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Jun 18, 2013, 9:12 am
#201
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Plat
Posts: 982
I'm sure that this will be chewed to death in the coming months, but if you've been following the MQD discussion over on DL, there is NO real clarity as to what the effective spend rate will need to be, or how to get there. 10cpm is a nice round number, but reality is somewhat more than that...
For domestic, in some cases, this can have an effect. But if you travel Int'l a lot, you will realize that it can be rather difficult to hit 10cpm in Y across the pond, and overseas. Taxes are high, fares are low. Those of us who travel for our own companies, or on behalf of non-profits, are now officially second-class citizens. Buy J or else!
It also means that now, "the network" is everything! Go ahead and try to buy a ticket to KUL or HKT on 016 stock... Ironically, ua.com will happily sell you a CX, JL or KA flight, which earns nothing, but will almost never sell you SQ and will make you fight for TG. So now the IT problems become even MORE of an issue, because it will literally be impossible to reach many destinations on 016 stock, on *A carriers, at least without spending a few hours on the phone with an agent...
*sigh* This doesn't surprise me, but I would at least have expected them to wait until DL took their lumps and learned from it. Nope! We're going to jump in with both feet and create even more turmoil before the last dust has settled. Faboo.
Base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
It also means that now, "the network" is everything! Go ahead and try to buy a ticket to KUL or HKT on 016 stock... Ironically, ua.com will happily sell you a CX, JL or KA flight, which earns nothing, but will almost never sell you SQ and will make you fight for TG. So now the IT problems become even MORE of an issue, because it will literally be impossible to reach many destinations on 016 stock, on *A carriers, at least without spending a few hours on the phone with an agent...
*sigh* This doesn't surprise me, but I would at least have expected them to wait until DL took their lumps and learned from it. Nope! We're going to jump in with both feet and create even more turmoil before the last dust has settled. Faboo.
Jun 18, 2013, 9:13 am
#202
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: 67,105
And that it's relatively accurate (must have a low error rate and good responsiveness which doesn't require pax chase receipts around and maintain their own spreadsheets). And that if UA makes mistakes, they correct them promptly, rather than clawing back PQD midway through the following year like they have PQM.
Jun 18, 2013, 9:14 am
#203
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 220
Just out of curiosity, do people on this thread think that the PQD levels are designed to coerce a higher level of spending than you already pay for your flights each year? Or is it basically a wash, and you are already spending this amount per year at your elite level?
Jun 18, 2013, 9:15 am
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
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Posts: 10,839
It also means that now, "the network" is everything! Go ahead and try to buy a ticket to KUL or HKT on 016 stock... Ironically, ua.com will happily sell you a CX, JL or KA flight, which earns nothing, but will almost never sell you SQ and will make you fight for TG. So now the IT problems become even MORE of an issue, because it will literally be impossible to reach many destinations on 016 stock, on *A carriers, at least without spending a few hours on the phone with an agent...
Jun 18, 2013, 9:16 am
#205
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: 67,105
HKT is a particularly good example, because it's well-served by TG, yet I have never been able to get .bomb to sell me a ticket on TG going there! I have had to purchase separate BKK-HKT tickets from TG directly (and been stung before by UA irrops getting me into BKK over a day late and missing my separate TG flights, too).
Jun 18, 2013, 9:16 am
#206
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
Jun 18, 2013, 9:16 am
#207
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 599
Disappointing but not surprising that another airline turns towards its FFP for profit growth by cost cutting...
Jun 18, 2013, 9:17 am
#208
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
And that it's relatively accurate (must have a low error rate and good responsiveness which doesn't require pax chase receipts around and maintain their own spreadsheets). And that if UA makes mistakes, they correct them promptly, rather than clawing back PQD midway through the following year like they have PQM.
Jun 18, 2013, 9:18 am
#209
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
SunLover
Jun 18, 2013, 9:18 am
#210
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
Just out of curiosity, do people on this thread think that the PQD levels are designed to coerce a higher level of spending than you already pay for your flights each year? Or is it basically a wash, and you are already spending this amount per year at your elite level?
