Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Significant Premier Silver Benefits
Related threads
United Silver Status - Experiences/Q&A
What would you pay to be Silver/Gold/Platinum/1k on UA
Previous Thread
Is Premier Silver worth it? [2014 - 2015]
- Free E+ access (and for companion) at check-in
- Eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrade (including a companion)
- RDM earn rate a 7 x PQDs (vs GM @ 5x)
- 500 mile minimum PQM on UA operated flights and some partners
- Boarding Group 2 and priority check-in, priority security
- Bag allowance – 1x50 lbs
- Reduced award change / cancellation fees
- Access to expanded economy saver award inventory
- Instant upgrades on Y- or B-class full-fare economy tickets
Related threads
United Silver Status - Experiences/Q&A
What would you pay to be Silver/Gold/Platinum/1k on UA
Previous Thread
Is Premier Silver worth it? [2014 - 2015]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2016 Consolidated]
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2016 Consolidated]
So looking for opinions (that I may ignore ) on this. I'm not going to requalify for Silver based on planned travel, but may be making some TPAC mileage redemptions in 2017 that free E+ will be appreciated for. I also really enjoy E+ and a free bag domestically, especially since I'm now ineligible for a UA credit card due to Chase's 5/24 rule.
I'm thinking of doing an MR to HKG (which will push me over 25k PQM) for only $609. So... pay $609 to fly to HKG for delicious dinner and requal for Silver?
I'm thinking of doing an MR to HKG (which will push me over 25k PQM) for only $609. So... pay $609 to fly to HKG for delicious dinner and requal for Silver?
#2
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: 14,428
#3
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I think that the $600 can be recouped IF you think you'll keep Silver next year. If you're going to find yourself in the same boat next year and you'll be stuck running for it again, it's not worth it, especially as a UA CC basically makes you Silver.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,344
Not going make Silver PQM, PQDs, ... what should I do?
My PQM and PQS are at 12,000 and 10, but will not reach Silver by the end of the year. My Explorer card spend however will hit the 25,000. Is there any hope for me?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm Reason: more descriptive title
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Plat
Posts: 982
... as in, you're paying like $1-2 per mile (100-200 cpm) to fly?
Sounds very odd. Can you clarify your situation?
#6
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: 66,850
Status?- appears not but Silver status has limited benefits and many are also provided by the Explorer card.
Status is not the end all for most.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 856
I think he means he has spent $25,000 on his Chase United credit card, meaning that the PQD requirement is waived for Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
You still need to fly to reach (or buy up to) the PQM or PQS thresholds though.
You still need to fly to reach (or buy up to) the PQM or PQS thresholds though.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
For getting status, no. Silver requires 25,000 PQM or 30 PQS, plus $3000 of spend or the CC waiver. Sounds like you'll hit the CC waiver, but not even half the PQM and only 1/3 the PQS. If you get really close, maybe, but otherwise, definitely not. What would make you think with those numbers, UA would or should give you status?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 29, 2016 at 5:21 pm Reason: split post
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
If you fly more and buy extra PQM for those flights, maybe, but, as noted, you need PQM and Explorer Cards don't give you them.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: Hilton Diamond, UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 133
As mentioned before, you can buy extra PQM. You can find this option usually on the "Manage Reservation" page, next to offers to buy economy plus. Usually the cost is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 to 12 cents per PQM. So 5000PQM, for example, is often in the ballpark of $500.
Another option is doing a mileage run. PQM (unless flying in a premier cabin or full-fare economy, where a multiplier greater than 1 is applied) are usually equivalent to the number of fight miles. So if you can find some cheap United fares on longer flights, you could maybe pad your numbers by several thousand PQM by purchasing and flying a transcon r/t.
Another option is doing a mileage run. PQM (unless flying in a premier cabin or full-fare economy, where a multiplier greater than 1 is applied) are usually equivalent to the number of fight miles. So if you can find some cheap United fares on longer flights, you could maybe pad your numbers by several thousand PQM by purchasing and flying a transcon r/t.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, AA LT Gold, Radisson Gold, Hertz PC, HP Masters emeritus (sigh)
Posts: 445
If you're going to give United extra money, get an E+ subscription and forget the idea of silver. You already get a checked bag and Group 2 boarding with the Explorer card and a subscription will get you E+ at booking instead of waiting for check-in (as silvers must). And your 25K spend won't go to waste as you'll get an extra 10K RDM for hitting that threshold.
#14
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: 66,850
Moved discussion on when / how Chase notifies UA on your Chase MP spending to http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...soldiated.html where that topic has been discussed.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Unless you're talking about getting to Silver. You said "by the end of the year". Does that mean you have another flight or two yet to go? If so, and if it's really important for you to hit Silver you can look into buying additional PQM on your ticket. Go to your reservation, take the offer to buy more miles, then a new offer will pop up to buy more PQMs. If you don't like the deal you can back out at that point and not buy either.