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
Oct 26, 2014, 2:29 pm
#691
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 142
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 26, 2014 at 3:34 pm Reason: fixed bbcode
Oct 26, 2014, 4:26 pm
#692
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
So why not just sell status outright (price TBD)? What does UA gain by having a pax actually sit in a seat and earn PQMs? UA would get more $$ by selling status separately, thereby creating a situation where the pax has to spend more money (purchasing a ticket) to actually benefit from the "status."
Oct 26, 2014, 4:36 pm
#693
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
US Airways effectually had this for years (not presently offered during the merger process).
Additionally pmUA had a program if you committed to prepurchasing $X of travel, you would be granted status.
It does seem like a potential revenue source and if the folks don't travel enough to earn the status, it would seem like a net revenue gain
Additionally pmUA had a program if you committed to prepurchasing $X of travel, you would be granted status.
It does seem like a potential revenue source and if the folks don't travel enough to earn the status, it would seem like a net revenue gain
Oct 26, 2014, 7:36 pm
#694
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
I think we are gong to see a "buy PQD" program in December. I don't think we will ever be in a situation where PQM purchases count as PQDs. Why sell one thing when you can sell two?
Oct 26, 2014, 7:48 pm
#695
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 142
and not living in Michael O'Leary's {inappropriate} dreams.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 26, 2014 at 8:46 pm Reason: language
Oct 26, 2014, 8:44 pm
#697
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott
Posts: 231
At least I will make Platinum - only because of the Chase card waiver.
Oct 26, 2014, 8:44 pm
#698
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Oct 26, 2014, 9:22 pm
#699
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Programs: United Premier Gold
Posts: 252
So.....I only got $210 in PQD but my statement says
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 227.90 USD
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 17.10
U.S. Flight Segment Tax: 4.00
September 11th Security Fee: 2.50
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Per Person Total: 256.00
USD
eTicket Total: 256.00
USD
Form of Payment:
VISA
Last Four Digits 0448
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 227.90 USD
Why am I getting shorted??
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 227.90 USD
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 17.10
U.S. Flight Segment Tax: 4.00
September 11th Security Fee: 2.50
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Per Person Total: 256.00
USD
eTicket Total: 256.00
USD
Form of Payment:
VISA
Last Four Digits 0448
The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 227.90 USD
Why am I getting shorted??
Oct 26, 2014, 10:20 pm
#700
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 25
PQD waivers for children?
I phoned in today, to see if my five year old could get a PQD waiver for 2015. He's five years old, he has $2489 PQD, and about 31,000PQM. He's silver.
I'm 1K, so far this year about 101,000PQM and $14,000PQD. I also met the $25,000 spend on the chase card, although that doesn't matter for my qualification.
The nice lady at the MileagePlus service center told me they would not waive it.
Is this a change I'll like? Certainly this doesn't put my $16k of business in jeopardy, but it doesn't make me think very nicely of them when I am making my decisions.
Worth appealing to the 1k voice?
I'm 1K, so far this year about 101,000PQM and $14,000PQD. I also met the $25,000 spend on the chase card, although that doesn't matter for my qualification.
The nice lady at the MileagePlus service center told me they would not waive it.
Is this a change I'll like? Certainly this doesn't put my $16k of business in jeopardy, but it doesn't make me think very nicely of them when I am making my decisions.
Worth appealing to the 1k voice?
Oct 26, 2014, 10:26 pm
#701
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: 52,140
No, because it's not a change. It's the way PQD has always worked.
It wouldn't have worked for 1K anyway.
It wouldn't have worked for 1K anyway.
Oct 26, 2014, 11:11 pm
#702
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 25
True. However, since I qualify on my actual PQD to renew, with $4000+ to spare, you might note my credit card spend is also extra; but of course, you're absolutely right, United has met their contractual obligations.
Oct 26, 2014, 11:15 pm
#703
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
I phoned in today, to see if my five year old could get a PQD waiver for 2015. He's five years old, he has $2489 PQD, and about 31,000PQM. He's silver.
I'm 1K, so far this year about 101,000PQM and $14,000PQD. I also met the $25,000 spend on the chase card, although that doesn't matter for my qualification.
The nice lady at the MileagePlus service center told me they would not waive it.
....
Worth appealing to the 1k voice?
I'm 1K, so far this year about 101,000PQM and $14,000PQD. I also met the $25,000 spend on the chase card, although that doesn't matter for my qualification.
The nice lady at the MileagePlus service center told me they would not waive it.
....
Worth appealing to the 1k voice?
Oct 26, 2014, 11:17 pm
#704
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 25
In other situations, they might make another.
Oct 26, 2014, 11:42 pm
#705
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455