Sep 28, 2018, 11:53 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Today we’re introducing a few updates for members with MileagePlus Premier® status — some of which are already in effect and some that will come later. These updates include added benefits related to boarding groups and baggage allowances, as well as adjustments to our upgrade structure and Premier 1K® status qualification requirements.
Better boarding
Effective on September 18, 2018
· Premier® 1K® members will be called to board during pre-boarding ahead of Group 1
· Premier Gold members will now board with Boarding Group1, previous in Group 2
Baggage allowance for Premier members
Effective on September 28, 2018:
All Premier® members, regardless of Premier status, will receive the same standard weight allowance for checked baggage: 70 lbs. (32 kg.)
Additionally:
· All Premier members flying in United Business®, United First®, or United Polaris® business class are allowed up to three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
· Premier Gold members flying in United Economy® between the U.S. and Europe are allowed three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
· Premier Silver members flying in United Economy between the U.S. and Europe are allowed two bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
Premier qualification requirements
Effective on January 1, 2019:
· Premier qualification dollar (PQD) requirement for Premier 1K status will be raised from $12,000 to $15,000.
· P-class fares will earn 150% Premier qualifying miles (PQM), reduced from 200%.
Premier upgrades
Effective on January 1, 2019:
· The way a Premier 1K member earns additional upgrades will be changing. For every 25,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 30 Premier qualifying segments (PQS) after qualifying for Premier 1K status, we’ll add one Global Premier Upgrades into your account. No additional Regional Premier Upgrades can be earned after qualifying for Premier 1K status.
More details can be found here: www.mileageplusupdates.com
- UA Insider
Better boarding
Effective on September 18, 2018
· Premier® 1K® members will be called to board during pre-boarding ahead of Group 1
· Premier Gold members will now board with Boarding Group1, previous in Group 2
Baggage allowance for Premier members
Effective on September 28, 2018:
All Premier® members, regardless of Premier status, will receive the same standard weight allowance for checked baggage: 70 lbs. (32 kg.)
Additionally:
· All Premier members flying in United Business®, United First®, or United Polaris® business class are allowed up to three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
· Premier Gold members flying in United Economy® between the U.S. and Europe are allowed three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
· Premier Silver members flying in United Economy between the U.S. and Europe are allowed two bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
Premier qualification requirements
Effective on January 1, 2019:
· Premier qualification dollar (PQD) requirement for Premier 1K status will be raised from $12,000 to $15,000.
· P-class fares will earn 150% Premier qualifying miles (PQM), reduced from 200%.
Premier upgrades
Effective on January 1, 2019:
· The way a Premier 1K member earns additional upgrades will be changing. For every 25,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 30 Premier qualifying segments (PQS) after qualifying for Premier 1K status, we’ll add one Global Premier Upgrades into your account. No additional Regional Premier Upgrades can be earned after qualifying for Premier 1K status.
More details can be found here: www.mileageplusupdates.com
- UA Insider
Good news! I got written confirmation from 1kvoice on the below:
We will honor 200% Premier Qualifying Mile (PQM) accrual for tickets purchased before September 28, 2018 for travel on/after January 1, 2019.
• A manual adjustment to 200% PQM accrual for P-fare flown segments can be made post-departure at the customer’s request.
• Any tickets purchased after September 28, 2018, for travel on/after January 1, 2019 are only eligible to receive 150% PQM accrual.
• A manual adjustment to 200% PQM accrual for P-fare flown segments can be made post-departure at the customer’s request.
• Any tickets purchased after September 28, 2018, for travel on/after January 1, 2019 are only eligible to receive 150% PQM accrual.
Related threads
United's New Boarding Process (with Wiki) [starting 18 Sep 2018]
Partner P fare earning after 1 Jan 2019
Updates to MP Premier Program -1K PQD $15K, P fare 150%, fewer RPU, Bag waiver & more
Sep 30, 2018, 11:40 am
#301
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
I used my 4 RPUs for 2018, then grabbed and used my wife's 2 RPUs for 2018 (she does not really fly domestic), then used the 2 RPUs I already got for 2019, then grabbed and used my wife's 2 RPUs for 2019. I do tend to use them on 2 hours flights. Maybe I would have been upgraded with the CPU and my RPUs were waisted but this year I did not clear any CPU (I can be number 1 on the gate list with First Class seats still available but they disappear under me by passengers purchasing the upgrade or passengers transferring to my flight even just 5 minutes before boarding). The only meaningful RPU usage was ORD-LAX. But I don't do too many of those long domestic flights.
I used my 6 GPUs but I gave half to my wife.
I used my 6 GPUs but I gave half to my wife.
Sep 30, 2018, 11:55 am
#302
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
Any Difference in Award Inventory, 1K vs Plat?
Does anyone know if there is any advantage that 1Ks enjoy over Plats in finding *A award travel in J and F?
I am another who used all of my RPUs (8 this year), but I did use one for one of my contractors.
I am another who used all of my RPUs (8 this year), but I did use one for one of my contractors.
Sep 30, 2018, 12:05 pm
#303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
If upgrade space ticks up, it’s not going to be because of a thinned 1K herd, it’s going be because of GSs having fewer instruments clearing into RN, and fewer instuments to compete against from other high-mileage flyers.
Sep 30, 2018, 12:25 pm
#304
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
We can each speak from our own perspective, though. 
I have recently cleared DCA-SFO, and HNL-SFO on the 753 has recently become the easiest upgrade you can imagine. So I'm suddenly burning RPUs.
Sep 30, 2018, 1:42 pm
#305
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Count me in as someone who has always given my extra RPUs to friends and family. And if they don't extend 2 GPUs again this year (fingers crossed), then those will go too.
Sep 30, 2018, 1:56 pm
#306
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Sep 30, 2018, 2:06 pm
#307
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
I’ve managed to use every single one every year for the past 6 years, but my allocation only runs 4-6/year.
If upgrade space ticks up, it’s not going to be because of a thinned 1K herd, it’s going be because of GSs having fewer instruments clearing into RN, and fewer instuments to compete against from other high-mileage flyers.
Interested to see if UG space does become more available - I actually think UA is going to continue the UG at the gate so the Polaris lounges essentially are only available to those who purchase the Polaris fares.
Sep 30, 2018, 2:14 pm
#308
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
This year I've already used every RPU earned last year (12 of them, with over half of those on p.s. routes)
In every case, the RPUs were used on flights that were at least 3-4 hours long, not wasted on shorter flights.
And I've currently got 12 more (soon to be 14) expiring in 2020, and expect to use every one of them...
Dropping back to a maximum of 4 is a real hit.
Sep 30, 2018, 2:17 pm
#309
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
I too have been able to use my RPUs - generally on me but occasionally on friends and family. I value GPUs more highly than RPUs but then I travel internationally a fair bit. I have been 100% on GPUs and RPUs the last few years. For 2018 I am waiting on one more GPU to come through and I will be 8/8 this year. However, I am also someone that compares the fare buckets: W vs K+co-pay. Of course W counts for PQD and co-pay does not. With the new PQD requirement 2019 will likely be my last year of W fares.
Interested to see if UG space does become more available - I actually think UA is going to continue the UG at the gate so the Polaris lounges essentially are only available to those who purchase the Polaris fares.
Interested to see if UG space does become more available - I actually think UA is going to continue the UG at the gate so the Polaris lounges essentially are only available to those who purchase the Polaris fares.
Sep 30, 2018, 2:22 pm
#310
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: 67,136
I used my 4 RPUs for 2018, then grabbed and used my wife's 2 RPUs for 2018 (she does not really fly domestic), then used the 2 RPUs I already got for 2019, then grabbed and used my wife's 2 RPUs for 2019. I do tend to use them on 2 hours flights. Maybe I would have been upgraded with the CPU and my RPUs were waisted but this year I did not clear any CPU (I can be number 1 on the gate list with First Class seats still available but they disappear under me by passengers purchasing the upgrade or passengers transferring to my flight even just 5 minutes before boarding). The only meaningful RPU usage was ORD-LAX. But I don't do too many of those long domestic flights.
I used my 6 GPUs but I gave half to my wife.
I used my 6 GPUs but I gave half to my wife.
My 0-fers are on transcons, including off-days like Wednesdays, sadly. 2 GPU'd domestic segments failed on transcons, and 4 RPUs, all but one on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Currently sitting on 6 RPUs (all 4 of last year's plus my first 2 for this year).
Sep 30, 2018, 2:22 pm
#311
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
Oh I get the Polaris access if the UG occurred before the gate, and on the connecting flights. Usually because I book quite far in advance. However, I am noticing more and more UGs at the gate and no Polaris access if your BP is not Polaris even if you are on the UG list. Although that would be a nice benefit - on the UG list, UG does not come through but have access to the Polaris lounge.
Sep 30, 2018, 2:30 pm
#312
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Sep 30, 2018, 2:37 pm
#313
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Some flights could have 20 passengers on the upgrade list and be already totally sold out in Polaris Business. Adds to the numbers.
Last edited by StuckinITH; Sep 30, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Sep 30, 2018, 2:47 pm
#314
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
Right, some of those on the lists are non-revenue. UA could filter out those who are non-rev, golds, plat, etc. from this benefit. Like others have added, many are already buying up to a higher fare for the CHANCE of upgrades anyways.
Sep 30, 2018, 3:01 pm
#315
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I have used 10 RPUs so far this year, for myself and traveling companions. So under the new system six allocated upgrade seats that I used would have been available to others (assuming no change in inventory). So I think it will be easier to get RPUs to clear, especially late in the year when lots of people are trying to use up their expiring ones.
I think the key reason to increase the PQD threshhold to $15k is because 6 GPUs is simply too large a “rebate” to provide to customers spending only $12k. If you are able to use them - which I have - they are still an exceptional benefit. AA reduced their “rebate” in the form of systemwide upgrades for EXPs from 8 to 4. I am glad United chose to increase the PQD requirement instead of reducing the number of GPUs.
I think the key reason to increase the PQD threshhold to $15k is because 6 GPUs is simply too large a “rebate” to provide to customers spending only $12k. If you are able to use them - which I have - they are still an exceptional benefit. AA reduced their “rebate” in the form of systemwide upgrades for EXPs from 8 to 4. I am glad United chose to increase the PQD requirement instead of reducing the number of GPUs.