Jan 1, 2014, 6:30 am
Last edit by: chrisl137
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
The value of ETCs if used as a form of payment on the checkout page
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 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?
- If one travels on a non-016 ticket originally booked non-UA/Copa metal, will one earn PQDs if rebooked onto UA?
- If one travels on a non-016 ticket originally booked on UA/Copa metal, but is rebooked onto non UA/Copa metal, will one still get credit for PQDs in these scenarios:
- The UA/Copa segment was the source of the irrops?
- The segment of another carrier causes the irrops, the carrier is a *A or UA/Copa partner?
- The segment of another carrier causes the irrops, the carrier is not a *A or UA/Copa partner?
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 $25,000 spend can be done across multiple Chase MP cards, as long as the cards are tied to the same MileagePlus account.
- 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.
- How to book 016 PQD earning tickets when no UA, UX, Copa metal flights are on itinerary.
- Do You Think UA Will Lose a Lot of Revenue With Less MR?
- Any Drawbacks from having MP account registered to foreign address?
- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...nited-com.html
- Incorrect/Ineligible PQD/PQM/RDM Information showing on my itinerary.
Previous thread can be found here:
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion [ARCHIVE]
iluv2fly
Moderator, UA
MileagePlus Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) Requirement Discussion Thread
Jan 21, 2014, 8:28 am
#242
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.3mm
Posts: 918
Data point:
Change fee for a return flight. Received PQD. Made the change hours before flight.
Also, my two flights this month have given me 90% PQD/fare paid. I can live with that percentage. I guess I'll be spending 11k with UA this year
Change fee for a return flight. Received PQD. Made the change hours before flight.
Also, my two flights this month have given me 90% PQD/fare paid. I can live with that percentage. I guess I'll be spending 11k with UA this year
Jan 21, 2014, 8:46 am
#243
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anaheim, CA US
Posts: 251
I've got one segment which shows 'Processing' The outbound segment on the same ticket posted with no issues and the fare on both segments (nonstop round trip, UA ticket, UA metal) is the same. Miles posted correctly. Both segments were instant upgrades but the return had an SDC as well.
Jan 21, 2014, 8:50 am
#244
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
How would purchasing thorough a travel agent matter?
Oh nice, so a garden variety SDC is gonna cause problems now.
I've got one segment which shows 'Processing' The outbound segment on the same ticket posted with no issues and the fare on both segments (nonstop round trip, UA ticket, UA metal) is the same. Miles posted correctly. Both segments were instant upgrades but the return had an SDC as well.
Jan 21, 2014, 9:06 am
#245
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
After a couple of tickets for 2014, I realized what a big impact the PQD will have on my status.
Example 1- Roundtrip DCA to PDX - 6022 miles
Fare - $494.50
Base fare - $420.47
PDQ - $420.47
I kept thinking needed PDQ is 10% of miles, but for this trip I earned only 7%.
Example 2 - Roundtrip DCA to New Orleans on US - 1968 miles
PDX = $0.00
For this trip it is 0%.
So, for 7990 PQM, I have $420.47, or 5.3% - only about 1/2 of what I had previously figured. Of course, after March there will be no US flights, but still, it could have a much bigger impact than I figured.
Example 1- Roundtrip DCA to PDX - 6022 miles
Fare - $494.50
Base fare - $420.47
PDQ - $420.47
I kept thinking needed PDQ is 10% of miles, but for this trip I earned only 7%.
Example 2 - Roundtrip DCA to New Orleans on US - 1968 miles
PDX = $0.00
For this trip it is 0%.
So, for 7990 PQM, I have $420.47, or 5.3% - only about 1/2 of what I had previously figured. Of course, after March there will be no US flights, but still, it could have a much bigger impact than I figured.
Jan 21, 2014, 9:09 am
#246
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: IND
Programs: 1K 2MM
Posts: 217
We recently flew to Europe. Our flights from MAD to FRA and from FRA to IAD were on Lufthansa, S class, but the entire round trip ticket was issued by United (016 ticket number). The PQMs just posted, but no PQDs: in that column, it just says "ineligible."
I've read all the guidelines on united.com, and so far as I can tell, these flights should be eligible for PQDs. Any help?
I've read all the guidelines on united.com, and so far as I can tell, these flights should be eligible for PQDs. Any help?
It sounds like in this situation it's best to call/write about it.
Jan 21, 2014, 9:48 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
Jan 21, 2014, 11:24 am
#248
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Trying to make heads or tails of this from a ticket goalie-sis purchased.
Purchased on .sux so "016" and split itin over 2013-2014 and routed as IAD-LHR-DUS on 12/24/13 and DUS-FRA-IAD on 1/8/14
PQD's for the UA flight FRA-IAD posted as $502 within a few days of travel (1/8/14) and the remaining PQD's of $36 for the LH flight DUS-FRA posted this morning for a net of $538. I know that the $502 was 1/2 of the base fare and 1/2 of the YQ for the UA portion as it was split over 2013-2014 but I can't figure out how the $36 is calculated
Purchased on .sux so "016" and split itin over 2013-2014 and routed as IAD-LHR-DUS on 12/24/13 and DUS-FRA-IAD on 1/8/14
PQD's for the UA flight FRA-IAD posted as $502 within a few days of travel (1/8/14) and the remaining PQD's of $36 for the LH flight DUS-FRA posted this morning for a net of $538. I know that the $502 was 1/2 of the base fare and 1/2 of the YQ for the UA portion as it was split over 2013-2014 but I can't figure out how the $36 is calculated
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 488.00USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 34.40
September 11th Security Fee: 2.50
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 34.90
Germany Airport Security Charge: 14.60
Germany Air Transportation Tax: 57.30
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 27.00
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 22.60
International Surcharge: 516.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Per Person Total: 1,219.30USD
eTicket Total: 1,219.30USD
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 488.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 731.30 USD
Airfare: 488.00USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 34.40
September 11th Security Fee: 2.50
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 34.90
Germany Airport Security Charge: 14.60
Germany Air Transportation Tax: 57.30
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 27.00
Germany Passenger Service Charge: 22.60
International Surcharge: 516.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Per Person Total: 1,219.30USD
eTicket Total: 1,219.30USD
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 488.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 731.30 USD
Jan 21, 2014, 12:36 pm
#249
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA GLD
Posts: 1,707
Jan 21, 2014, 12:44 pm
#250
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
Got email from UA today stating MP made a mistake a will credit me the correct PDQ for the flight. Well It appears there can be mistakes in systems after all. Looks like I will have to keep n top of this for 50 more weeks.
Jan 21, 2014, 4:29 pm
#251
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: PDX
Programs: AS Emerald; UA 1MM; Hilton Gold; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 349
PQD (premier Qualifying $) question
I am wanting to go from USA to Singapore - as there are some good r/t fares to Singapore. However I then want to go r/t to BNE and use *A partner SQ - my question is can I get UA to write the SQ ticket - as only 016 tickets count toward PQD?
Also if I upgrade using $ & miles is the $ portion eligible for PQD?
Also if I upgrade using $ & miles is the $ portion eligible for PQD?
Jan 21, 2014, 4:40 pm
#252
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,125
- Find a UA codeshare for that flight and book on united.com.
- Book over the phone.
- Use a travel agent.
No.
Jan 21, 2014, 4:42 pm
#253
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: PDX
Programs: AS Emerald; UA 1MM; Hilton Gold; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 349
Many thanks for the information - bummer about the $ & miles though...
Jan 21, 2014, 4:45 pm
#254
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,146
Trying to make heads or tails of this from a ticket goalie-sis purchased.
Purchased on .sux so "016" and split itin over 2013-2014 and routed as IAD-LHR-DUS on 12/24/13 and DUS-FRA-IAD on 1/8/14
PQD's for the UA flight FRA-IAD posted as $502 within a few days of travel (1/8/14) and the remaining PQD's of $36 for the LH flight DUS-FRA posted this morning for a net of $538. I know that the $502 was 1/2 of the base fare and 1/2 of the YQ for the UA portion as it was split over 2013-2014 but I can't figure out how the $36 is calculated
Purchased on .sux so "016" and split itin over 2013-2014 and routed as IAD-LHR-DUS on 12/24/13 and DUS-FRA-IAD on 1/8/14
PQD's for the UA flight FRA-IAD posted as $502 within a few days of travel (1/8/14) and the remaining PQD's of $36 for the LH flight DUS-FRA posted this morning for a net of $538. I know that the $502 was 1/2 of the base fare and 1/2 of the YQ for the UA portion as it was split over 2013-2014 but I can't figure out how the $36 is calculated
Jan 21, 2014, 7:01 pm
#255
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 9
Effect of Mid-Year Address Change
As someone who is likely moving from the U.S. to Canada this year (Spring), and who will likely requal for 1k in 2014 by PQM but possibly not PQD, I asked United via 1kvoice how it would determine address for purposes of PQD waiver.
The crux of the reply:
United will re-evaluate accounts through out the year and will determine if the account qualifies for the PQD waiver.
FWIW.
The crux of the reply:
United will re-evaluate accounts through out the year and will determine if the account qualifies for the PQD waiver.
FWIW.