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]
Aug 8, 2013, 12:14 pm
#3076
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
What about this? If it goes to UA, no matter what, then it counts, unless it's an "apology" ecert which translates to a future discount. Otherwise, if it goes to some govt entity (tax, TSA fees, whatever), then it doesn't count as far as UA is concerned. Would this help clear up some of those devilish details?
Aug 8, 2013, 12:31 pm
#3077
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
I have read this *many* times; what I suggested above was just a sort of cash-flow shortcut. But then I had some misgivings when I remembered that "apologies" can be taken as ecerts, miles or discount on future flights & was about to ammend my post when I saw your reply. OK, [shrugs shoulders] [hands in air] ... I give up. There is *no* simple answer ... I'll await some definitive response from UA which, no doubt, will engender a round of protests along the lines of "but you didn't do this when we thought you ought to do that". Way back when this all started a comment was made that those increments of PQD ($2500, $5000, etc) had no real basis except they were round numbers that translated to status miles flown. How much, if anything, would UA "lose" if the totals were just based on gross cash outlay w/o segregating all those categories that have given rise to the wiki?
Aug 8, 2013, 12:38 pm
#3078
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
I suspect they are concerned about MRers finding some shortcut to generate "spend" of which little or nothing goes to UA. That's why they want this rule, which isn't a big deal for most people.
Aug 8, 2013, 3:55 pm
#3079
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
They are after *A "mileage creditors" pure and simple.
Dave
Aug 8, 2013, 4:34 pm
#3080
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
No, no, no. Smirkin' Smisek definitely wanted to stick it to those something-for-nothing mileage runners.
RNE, but who doesn't?
Aug 8, 2013, 4:36 pm
#3081
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
What about Star Bellied Sneeches?
The number of times I've made a reference to that story and no one knows what I'm talking about...
Aug 9, 2013, 9:40 am
#3082
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: 35,444
To take issue with a post above, I think the 016 ticket rule and segregating out the taxes are going to be HUGE problems. Aside from anything else, it's complicated and not easy for many people to understand. It also hides what the real spend requirements are. I expect there will be quite a few unhappily surprised pe
ple come the start of 2015.
Aug 9, 2013, 9:51 am
#3083
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
That story is my all time favourite!
To take issue with a post above, I think the 016 ticket rule and segregating out the taxes are going to be HUGE problems. Aside from anything else, it's complicated and not easy for many people to understand. It also hides what the real spend requirements are. I expect there will be quite a few unhappily surprised peple come the start of 2015.
To take issue with a post above, I think the 016 ticket rule and segregating out the taxes are going to be HUGE problems. Aside from anything else, it's complicated and not easy for many people to understand. It also hides what the real spend requirements are. I expect there will be quite a few unhappily surprised pe
ple come the start of 2015. (Of course, the savvy people here on FT will know from a UA Insider post that their original credit will be grandfathered if they simply call in or email their requests several times!)
Aug 9, 2013, 10:26 am
#3084
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
To take issue with a post above, I think the 016 ticket rule and segregating out the taxes are going to be HUGE problems. Aside from anything else, it's complicated and not easy for many people to understand. It also hides what the real spend requirements are. I expect there will be quite a few unhappily surprised peple come the start of 2015.
ple come the start of 2015.
Aug 9, 2013, 4:29 pm
#3085
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
Oh really?
It depends on what you mean by "estimate." Even including LHR, virtually all tickets are going to price out at approximately 85-92% PQD. I would imagine that's a close enough "estimate" for most peoples' purposes. Also, you do see the breakdown before you purchase the ticket.
1 Adults (age 18 to 64) $803.00
Additional Taxes/Fees $694.60
Total $1,497.60
Aug 9, 2013, 4:51 pm
#3087
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,805
Thanks for helping me learn something today. ^
Aug 9, 2013, 5:03 pm
#3089
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Illinois-downstate
Programs: UA 1K, UA MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 955
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 3,666.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 518.90 USD
I'm over 1/3 of the way to 10k spend with this z fare to BKK next year. First time I've ever purchased a biz class ticket from the get-go. I've always just relied on upgrades. I'll also be liking the 150% EQMs or whatever they are called now. Off to a good start......
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 518.90 USD
I'm over 1/3 of the way to 10k spend with this z fare to BKK next year. First time I've ever purchased a biz class ticket from the get-go. I've always just relied on upgrades. I'll also be liking the 150% EQMs or whatever they are called now. Off to a good start......
Aug 9, 2013, 5:36 pm
#3090
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: United Gold
Posts: 1,581
I found one that will get me all my PQDs at once. HNL-NRT via SFO in P/A January 16-21, 2014.
Woohoo.
Code:
1 Adults (age 18 to 64) $10,525.00 Additional Taxes/Fees $91.80 Total $10,616.80