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]
Oct 29, 2013, 4:24 pm
#3466
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
- E+ purchases count (UA said so. I never yet have bought E+.)
- PCU does not count
- UFC does not count
- TOD does not count
- Mileage upgrade co-pays do not count
- MileagePlus Premier Accelerator will be decommissioned as of 1/1/2014 (It may come back at a later date in a new / modified form)
- The $ you spend on PQM's through Elite Maximizer in 2013 will have no impact on your PQD's in 2014 (even if the flight is in 2014)
Oct 29, 2013, 4:42 pm
#3467
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, UA MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,329
My assumptions, which are the criteria I will use to buy (or not buy) 2014 tickets:
- E+ purchases count (UA said so. I never yet have bought E+.)
- PCU does not count
- UFC does not count
- TOD does not count
- Mileage upgrade co-pays do not count
- MileagePlus Premier Accelerator will be decommissioned as of 1/1/2014 (It may come back at a later date in a new / modified form)
- The $ you spend on PQM's through Elite Maximizer in 2013 will have no impact on your PQD's in 2014 (even if the flight is in 2014)
- E+ purchases count (UA said so. I never yet have bought E+.)
- PCU does not count
- UFC does not count
- TOD does not count
- Mileage upgrade co-pays do not count
- MileagePlus Premier Accelerator will be decommissioned as of 1/1/2014 (It may come back at a later date in a new / modified form)
- The $ you spend on PQM's through Elite Maximizer in 2013 will have no impact on your PQD's in 2014 (even if the flight is in 2014)
Oct 29, 2013, 4:46 pm
#3468
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: 35,559
w for UA. I can't see them doing away with it.
Oct 29, 2013, 5:10 pm
#3469
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
I would be really surprised if Premiere Accelerator went away. Its found money for them and it only benefits them. I suspect it will remain but not count towards PQD, that way they still reduce the ranks but still have the revenue stream (albeit smaller than in years past).
Even if they continue it under these circumstances, what will a PQM be worth? Very little...
But, enabling Premier Maximizer to offer both PQM's and PQD's will be an IT challenge that I doubt UA will be prepared for on 1/1/14. (That is why I think it may be brought back at a later date, once they can figure out how to execute.)
Everything I stated was my opinion only, we'll see soon how it actually plays out.
Oct 29, 2013, 6:26 pm
#3470
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Actually, I'm just thinking now...except for US-based carriers, are there any other major carriers in the world that still give 100% on their lowest fares?
I just flew in to BKK from India on a W fare on Thai - upgrade to a mileage earning class would have been too much considering the PQM wouldn't have gotten me to the next level anyways. In Thai's program, they still would have only earned 25%.
I just flew in to BKK from India on a W fare on Thai - upgrade to a mileage earning class would have been too much considering the PQM wouldn't have gotten me to the next level anyways. In Thai's program, they still would have only earned 25%.
The PQD won't be an issue in 2014 but may be in 2015 and beyond.
I have a feeling UA will change the M+ program substantially once the reduced UA elite impacts are fully realized. First reduce the ranks, then drop the next shoe on those who remain.
They've screwed with miles bonus, baggage, E+, etc. Next up is GPU/RPU. My prediction.
I have a feeling UA will change the M+ program substantially once the reduced UA elite impacts are fully realized. First reduce the ranks, then drop the next shoe on those who remain.
They've screwed with miles bonus, baggage, E+, etc. Next up is GPU/RPU. My prediction.
Oct 29, 2013, 6:29 pm
#3471
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,919
The PQD won't be an issue in 2014 but may be in 2015 and beyond.
I have a feeling UA will change the M+ program substantially once the reduced UA elite impacts are fully realized. First reduce the ranks, then drop the next shoe on those who remain.
They've screwed with miles bonus, baggage, E+, etc. Next up is GPU/RPU. My prediction.
I have a feeling UA will change the M+ program substantially once the reduced UA elite impacts are fully realized. First reduce the ranks, then drop the next shoe on those who remain.
They've screwed with miles bonus, baggage, E+, etc. Next up is GPU/RPU. My prediction.
Oct 29, 2013, 6:59 pm
#3472
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Van down by the river
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Marriott PP/LT Plat, Golden Circle Diamond
Posts: 718
A lot of it will depend on the AA/US merger and timeline but it will directly impact UA's use of PQD and MR benefits. They will collude either directly or indirectly on their FF programs.
They will get us in fees, GPUs/RPUs as the next nip and tuck. The already cut a number of domestic F seats and E+ cabin is shrinking. Eventually they have to scale back elites to align to that reality.
They will get us in fees, GPUs/RPUs as the next nip and tuck. The already cut a number of domestic F seats and E+ cabin is shrinking. Eventually they have to scale back elites to align to that reality.
Oct 29, 2013, 7:22 pm
#3473
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,292
I agree. Premier Accelerator is dead if they don't count it towards PQD. The number of customers who spend more than $10K a year but fly less than 100K has to be small.
Oct 29, 2013, 7:51 pm
#3474
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,755
There are far more people who spend >$10,000 and don't fly anywhere near 100,000 miles than there are people who make 1K.
I suspect you are comparing advance purchase, non-refundable, non-changeable tickets to the tickets business travelers usually buy.
The majority of people in my office barely make Silver (or remain no status) and almost all spend >$10,000 a year.
Oct 29, 2013, 8:06 pm
#3475
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
One business class ticket to London is >$10,000.
There are far more people who spend >$10,000 and don't fly anywhere near 100,000 miles than there are people who make 1K.
I suspect you are comparing advance purchase, non-refundable, non-changeable tickets to the tickets business travelers usually buy.
The majority of people in my office barely make Silver (or remain no status) and almost all spend >$10,000 a year.
There are far more people who spend >$10,000 and don't fly anywhere near 100,000 miles than there are people who make 1K.
I suspect you are comparing advance purchase, non-refundable, non-changeable tickets to the tickets business travelers usually buy.
The majority of people in my office barely make Silver (or remain no status) and almost all spend >$10,000 a year.
For large companies, business class is dead (unless you work for an investment company or oil company).
Oct 29, 2013, 8:07 pm
#3476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,919
Unless they are upper management.
Oct 29, 2013, 8:09 pm
#3477
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS
Posts: 54
Disagree with this broad generalization. My very large, publically traded, non-investment or oil company allows business class for all employees for flights > 6 hours. Several peers in my industry have similar travel policies. The ones that are forced to fly coach see to come from smaller companies.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 29, 2013 at 8:40 pm Reason: merge
Oct 29, 2013, 8:21 pm
#3478
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,461
Oct 29, 2013, 8:31 pm
#3479
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Van down by the river
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Marriott PP/LT Plat, Golden Circle Diamond
Posts: 718
Disagree with this broad generalization. My very large, publically traded, non-investment or oil company allows business class for all employees for flights > 6 hours. Several peers in my industry have similar travel policies. The ones that are forced to fly coach see to come from smaller companies.
If you have a lot of employees who travel, biz class is always a target for cost cutting/expense control. It's a huge amount of extra expense going C vs Y
Our company used to allow >8 hrs in C but then changed to EVP and higher only. Reason: cost
Point: With discount fares you can definitely hit miles before the PQD with long hauls...
Last edited by wethereyet; Oct 29, 2013 at 8:43 pm Reason: need to make point...
Oct 29, 2013, 9:10 pm
#3480
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,462