Dec 16, 2015, 2:20 pm
Last edit by: FlyHighInTheSky
Hi everyone,
Starting January 1, 2016, you’ll earn more Premier qualifying miles (PQMs) for full-fare and discounted First or Business – up to double the current rate. The higher PQM rates go into effect for flights starting January 1, 2016 regardless of booking date.
New 2016 PQM Earning for United and United Express:
Full-fare First or Business (F, J): 300% (Currently 150%)
Discounted First or Business (A, C, D, Z, P): 200% (Currently 150%)
Full-fare Economy (Y, B): 150% (No Change)
Discounted Economy (M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N): 100% (No Change)
Please check back shortly for full details regarding this change at mileageplusupdates.com. In addition to United and United Express operated flights, PQM earnings for select Star Alliance partners are also increasing.
Thank you,
-UA Insider
Starting January 1, 2016, you’ll earn more Premier qualifying miles (PQMs) for full-fare and discounted First or Business – up to double the current rate. The higher PQM rates go into effect for flights starting January 1, 2016 regardless of booking date.
New 2016 PQM Earning for United and United Express:
Full-fare First or Business (F, J): 300% (Currently 150%)
Discounted First or Business (A, C, D, Z, P): 200% (Currently 150%)
Full-fare Economy (Y, B): 150% (No Change)
Discounted Economy (M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N): 100% (No Change)
Please check back shortly for full details regarding this change at mileageplusupdates.com. In addition to United and United Express operated flights, PQM earnings for select Star Alliance partners are also increasing.
Thank you,
-UA Insider
Earn more PQMs for premium cabin travel starting in 2016
Dec 20, 2015, 10:31 am
#181
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
What kind of fares are you buying? The Delta 125K for diamond is kind of deceptive since they are already offering 200% bonuses on full F/J.
Personally, I think this change is more to entice more people like me to swap from Delta. The 100K vs 125K XQM limit was one reason i swapped, I fly enough to get 100K, but not enough for 125K, mileage runs are hard because i am on call 24/7/365 except 2 weeks vacation. I would have a hard time explaining to my boss why I can't be at XXX in 8 hours.
My spend the past few years on Delta has always been been 25K and up, but never higher than Platinum.
It comes down to chicken/egg....Who has more value?
Someone who flys 125K EQM per year and spends 12,000 PQD or someone who flies 75K EQM and spends 25,000 PQD?
The second person int hat equation will feel slighted though as they spend twice as much money, but get less benefits. This formula will help equal that out IMHO
/puts soapbox away
My spend the past few years on Delta has always been been 25K and up, but never higher than Platinum.
It comes down to chicken/egg....Who has more value?
Someone who flys 125K EQM per year and spends 12,000 PQD or someone who flies 75K EQM and spends 25,000 PQD?
The second person int hat equation will feel slighted though as they spend twice as much money, but get less benefits. This formula will help equal that out IMHO
/puts soapbox away
Dec 20, 2015, 10:38 am
#182
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
On Delta, refundable isn't always Y/B/M, and rarely is it Y/B/M. So, I still only earn 100% MQM. So far, my experience in United it has always been Y or B, which earns me 150%
Now, my RDM/Skypesos earning is thru the roof, but status is still hard to earn
This is all domestic, few trips to Canada. 2016 will be my first year with significant TATL and I can buy J fare for those trips.
Dec 22, 2015, 1:22 pm
#183
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
I think the single biggest change this will have, on reflection, is that there will be a GPU proliferation that further exacerbates the difficulty of using those instruments.
Dec 22, 2015, 1:46 pm
#184
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
Or will it just substitute GPUs for miles and copay while the chances for upgrade remain the same? Upgrade space is upgrade space and there is just so much of it.
Dec 22, 2015, 1:56 pm
#185
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,732
Dec 22, 2015, 2:20 pm
#186
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Upgrade space will be impacted by the additional RPU/GPU certificates in play. The one thing I would recommend is getting the RPU/GPU certificates applied as soon as possible because the tie-breaker for equal status / fare class is time of application of the instrument.
Dec 23, 2015, 3:02 pm
#187
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Just perusing through price tables for different destinations... the cost per PQM seems to be very inconsistent at best... for instance:
1) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in F class (ref)
--$677 PQD
--7,038 PQM
--$0.0962 PQD/PQM
2) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in M class (non-ref)
--$961 PQD
--2,346 PQM
--$0.4096 PQD/PQM
There are many other examples I could post, but this paints the picture. Status earning is not balanced with fare structure... Cheaper ticket in F earns MUCH faster than more expensive ticket in M.
1) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in F class (ref)
--$677 PQD
--7,038 PQM
--$0.0962 PQD/PQM
2) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in M class (non-ref)
--$961 PQD
--2,346 PQM
--$0.4096 PQD/PQM
There are many other examples I could post, but this paints the picture. Status earning is not balanced with fare structure... Cheaper ticket in F earns MUCH faster than more expensive ticket in M.
Dec 23, 2015, 3:37 pm
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
Just perusing through price tables for different destinations... the cost per PQM seems to be very inconsistent at best... for instance:
1) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in F class (ref)
--$677 PQD
--7,038 PQM
--$0.0962 PQD/PQM
2) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in M class (non-ref)
--$961 PQD
--2,346 PQM
--$0.4096 PQD/PQM
There are many other examples I could post, but this paints the picture. Status earning is not balanced with fare structure... Cheaper ticket in F earns MUCH faster than more expensive ticket in M.
1) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in F class (ref)
--$677 PQD
--7,038 PQM
--$0.0962 PQD/PQM
2) GRR-SFO (stop in ORD) with both segments in M class (non-ref)
--$961 PQD
--2,346 PQM
--$0.4096 PQD/PQM
There are many other examples I could post, but this paints the picture. Status earning is not balanced with fare structure... Cheaper ticket in F earns MUCH faster than more expensive ticket in M.
Dec 23, 2015, 3:47 pm
#189
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 304
Actually, I think you'll see more upfaring. I'll bet the additional GPUS will just be noise. I'm sure that's what United is counting on..
Dec 23, 2015, 3:51 pm
#190
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 304
I am required to buy refundable, usually last minute (I am FULLY aware you can cancel in 24 hours, but it isn't always that simple) and if the beancounters don't see a GIANT refundable on the ticket, I get my ... chewed PERIOD
<snip>
This is all domestic, few trips to Canada. 2016 will be my first year with significant TATL and I can buy J fare for those trips.
<snip>
This is all domestic, few trips to Canada. 2016 will be my first year with significant TATL and I can buy J fare for those trips.
Dec 23, 2015, 4:02 pm
#191
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Thanks for nothing, United. Although travel is from January 1, ticketing is from Dec 15. How many of us do you think had already bought and ticketed travel for January thru March by then? Grrrr! 
Make it valid for all ticketed travel from Jan 1 and gain an admirer!!! 
Make it valid for all ticketed travel from Jan 1 and gain an admirer!!!
Dec 23, 2015, 4:08 pm
#192
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Not sure what you're referring to, but I have several flights next year that were ticketed many months ago, and I am seeing the new PQM earning rates on these itineraries.
Dec 23, 2015, 4:37 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
I've been wondering the same thing. Not only some good UPDI fares, but good buy ups as well lately. As someone whose PQDs outpaces my PQMs, this could be a pretty nice deal, the more I think about it. $100-200 on some flights to get 200% or more is interesting.
Dec 23, 2015, 4:37 pm
#194
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I would love to be in your situation but your beancounters must not be able to count very well. I spent $5,000 on change fees last year. I did an estimate of what I would have spent if I purchased all refundable coach tickets and it would have been $65,000 more. So the $5,000 in change fees saved $65,000 for me.
Dec 23, 2015, 5:27 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I would love to be in your situation but your beancounters must not be able to count very well. I spent $5,000 on change fees last year. I did an estimate of what I would have spent if I purchased all refundable coach tickets and it would have been $65,000 more. So the $5,000 in change fees saved $65,000 for me.
How much is it to cancel a ticket? My line of work not only changes minute to minute, but I might be going to Spain, and at the last minute change to Kansas, sometimes, on my way to the airport, i just turn around and go back home. I just don't have any clue where I will be going day to day. I have been re routed at a stopover, my luggage was lost and the client paid for me to go to Cabelas and buy all new clothes. Our jobs are driven by a combination of government regulators and people who have nothing to do with the job. Scheduling is a nightmare most of the time.
Also, if the job gets cancelled, and I lose the money, my boss eats it, if it is refundable no one eats it.
I also NEVER EVER book round trip, which used to cost a ton more, but now it is almost negligible.