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]
Dec 29, 2013, 1:23 pm
#4081
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 129
UA and CO used to track miles, too, but since my first flight post March 2012 my total has never been correct. Some errors in my favor, others against. The current IT operation cannot program its way out of a paper bag, so despite the fact that PQD is straightforward -- and if you believe some of the comments, is defined by what data is easily available, rather than what makes sense -- I have little confidence it will be correct. As I've stated elsewhere, in the pre-release source code number my LH YQ on 016 stock was not included. It will be interesting to see if that issue persists once the system goes live. For the sake of everyone here, I hope my pessimism is unwarranted and that you are correct.
until my flights from January 5, 2014 p
st. In reality, both UA and CO tracked this information. The errors I found in what was tracked were always in the customer's favor.
Dec 29, 2013, 1:32 pm
#4082
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 368
I might have missed this, but was there any plans to let us know what our 2013 PQD was so we could get a reference? Sure I could go through every receipt, but that would be rather time consuming...
Dec 29, 2013, 1:33 pm
#4083
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
It's actually very easy to tell unless you've got a ticket that's split between earning and non-earning (e.g., depart 12/31, return 1/6, or UA operated codeshare sold by OAL on itin which includes OAL flights).
.
Dec 29, 2013, 2:08 pm
#4085
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Dec 29, 2013, 2:21 pm
#4086
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
Dec 29, 2013, 4:07 pm
#4088
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 368
Dec 29, 2013, 6:15 pm
#4089
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: 67,145
Dec 29, 2013, 6:17 pm
#4090
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
The only thing the lists determine is who will be manually cleared by a gate agent. Are you telling me that they don't accurately indicate who a gate agent will clear (putting aside shenanigans)?
[Off-topic text edited by Moderator.]
[Off-topic text edited by Moderator.]
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Dec 29, 2013 at 9:12 pm Reason: merge; edit off-topic post.
Dec 29, 2013, 7:25 pm
#4091
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: 67,145
I and others who've posted here have seen them take pax out of order from said list. There could be legitimate reasons why the GAs did so--but when you see the #3 person show up on the "cleared" list when you were #1, then the cabin check in full, it's frustrating, and shows the list isn't always right.
Last edited by exerda; Dec 29, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Dec 29, 2013, 7:42 pm
#4092
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I and others who've posted here have seen them take pax out of order from said list. There could be legitimate reasons why the GAs did so--but when you see the #3 person show up on the "cleared" list when you were #1, then the cabin check in full, it's frustrating, and shows the list isn't always right.
Dec 29, 2013, 8:02 pm
#4093
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I and others who've posted here have seen them take pax out of order from said list. There could be legitimate reasons why the GAs did so--but when you see the #3 person show up on the "cleared" list when you were #1, then the cabin check in full, it's frustrating, and shows the list isn't always right.
Dec 29, 2013, 8:06 pm
#4094
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: 14,429
Dec 29, 2013, 8:08 pm
#4095
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909