Oct 10, 2018, 10:58 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Previous years' thread -- [Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2017 for Elite Status in 2018
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2016 for Elite Status in 2017
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2015 for Elite Status in 2016
& [Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2014 for Elite Status in 2015
PQDs are mostly earned by flying, but not all elites are subject to PQD requirements. PQDs can also be earned by Economy Plus purchases (by flight or subscription), although for anyone seeking to qualify for Gold or above an annual plan (min. $499) gets you nothing. There is no way to "pay" UA to fulfill PQD requirement in the qualifying year. There may be a status buy-up in January of the next year -- not cheap and does not come in small increments,
PQMs can be purchased by Premier Accelerator purchases.
related threads
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Mileage Run Discussion
Mileage Run Deals
Premium Fare Deals
Poor man's MR planner
Google Flights enter a starting airport, leave the destination blank, select airlines - Star Alliance, set travel days and max cost and view the Map for options. Try multiple dates.
kayak.com/explore has similar functionality
Will UA Grant 2019 Elite Status if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2018?
and previously - Will UA Grant 2017 Elite Status if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2016?
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017 Consolidated]
Last year's last resort
2018 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2017)
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2016 for Elite Status in 2017
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2015 for Elite Status in 2016
& [Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2014 for Elite Status in 2015
PQDs are mostly earned by flying, but not all elites are subject to PQD requirements. PQDs can also be earned by Economy Plus purchases (by flight or subscription), although for anyone seeking to qualify for Gold or above an annual plan (min. $499) gets you nothing. There is no way to "pay" UA to fulfill PQD requirement in the qualifying year. There may be a status buy-up in January of the next year -- not cheap and does not come in small increments,
Non-USA registered MP members are exempt from PQD requirements.
Others can be exempt from PQDs up to the Premier Platinum level by having a Chase PresidentalPlus credit card {not open to new members} or by annually spending $25,000 or more as a primary MP branded Chase credit cardholder.
PQMs can be earned by flying UA or various flight partners and by various bonuses related to flying (class or service, promos, ...)Others can be exempt from PQDs up to the Premier Platinum level by having a Chase PresidentalPlus credit card {not open to new members} or by annually spending $25,000 or more as a primary MP branded Chase credit cardholder.
PQMs can be purchased by Premier Accelerator purchases.
Consolidated Award / Premier Accelerator questions
United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2018]
Certain legacy (not available to new customers) Chase MP credit cards earn PQMs or FPQMsUnited Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2018]
related threads
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Mileage Run Discussion
Mileage Run Deals
Premium Fare Deals
Poor man's MR planner
Google Flights enter a starting airport, leave the destination blank, select airlines - Star Alliance, set travel days and max cost and view the Map for options. Try multiple dates.
kayak.com/explore has similar functionality
Will UA Grant 2019 Elite Status if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2018?
and previously - Will UA Grant 2017 Elite Status if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2016?
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017 Consolidated]
Last year's last resort
2018 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2017)
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2018 for Elite Status in 2019"
Dec 5, 2018, 9:57 am
#196
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA
Posts: 7
UA Platinum Premier
I am currently UA Gold. I have one trip left in the year, and I did the math and it will get me to 74,336 PQM. For reference, I have already hit 13k PQD and the credit card 25k waiver.
Given I'm so close to hitting platinum, I'm trying to figure out the best way to cross the 75k PQM barrier. I know I could do a mileage run, but wondering if the following could work. Within 24 hours of a flight, there is no change fee. Can I rebook to a flight with a connection, and if so would I get the PQM of the new route? My last flight of the year is ORD-SFO round trip. ORD -> SFO is in "C" and SFO -> ORD is in "Z". For example, connecting through seattle gives an extra ~1000 PQM and would push me over, at least I think. Of course, if I change to the new flights now I would be hit with change fees, etc. But within 24 hours I've noticed rebooking is free.
Does this seem like it would work?
Given I'm so close to hitting platinum, I'm trying to figure out the best way to cross the 75k PQM barrier. I know I could do a mileage run, but wondering if the following could work. Within 24 hours of a flight, there is no change fee. Can I rebook to a flight with a connection, and if so would I get the PQM of the new route? My last flight of the year is ORD-SFO round trip. ORD -> SFO is in "C" and SFO -> ORD is in "Z". For example, connecting through seattle gives an extra ~1000 PQM and would push me over, at least I think. Of course, if I change to the new flights now I would be hit with change fees, etc. But within 24 hours I've noticed rebooking is free.
Does this seem like it would work?
Dec 5, 2018, 10:48 am
#199
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
See if you have an offer to buy a small amount of PQM (Accelerator) in your itinerary. You would get some RDMs too.
If I had $13kPQD banked I would actually do a cheap SIN mileage run and chase 1K...same price as the accelerator perhaps.
If I had $13kPQD banked I would actually do a cheap SIN mileage run and chase 1K...same price as the accelerator perhaps.
Short PQM
Dec 5, 2018, 11:00 am
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Dec 5, 2018, 3:23 pm
#203
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K | MR Platinum
Posts: 492
Note that sometimes the availability of fares will change on a minute by minute basis when you get close to departure. It’s worth obsessively checking.
Dec 5, 2018, 6:51 pm
#204
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA
Posts: 7
I think I'll go with SDC on my return SFO to ORD flight, get that extra PQM and be happy with platinum
I've thought about mileage runs/chasing 1k, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. I think it might not be worth it, since I'd need another 25k PQM and I think that would be a lot to cram in these last few weeks of December. I started a post in the mileage run thread and nobody has posted anything that seems reasonable to me. I think spending three days on a plane and $1,000+ just isn't worth it for plat to 1k, but let me know if anyone disagrees or has ideas to get 1k easily
Dec 5, 2018, 8:01 pm
#205
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Do you want to do these two trips?
The only accelerator options I've seen on my trips lately are for larger amounts - last time it was 9,000 PQM for $1,150.
I think I'll go with SDC on my return SFO to ORD flight, get that extra PQM and be happy with platinum I've thought about mileage runs/chasing 1k, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. I think it might not be worth it, since I'd need another 25k PQM and I think that would be a lot to cram in these last few weeks of December. I started a post in the mileage run thread and nobody has posted anything that seems reasonable to me. I think spending three days on a plane and $1,000+ just isn't worth it for plat to 1k, but let me know if anyone disagrees or has ideas to get 1k easily
I think I'll go with SDC on my return SFO to ORD flight, get that extra PQM and be happy with platinum
I've thought about mileage runs/chasing 1k, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. I think it might not be worth it, since I'd need another 25k PQM and I think that would be a lot to cram in these last few weeks of December. I started a post in the mileage run thread and nobody has posted anything that seems reasonable to me. I think spending three days on a plane and $1,000+ just isn't worth it for plat to 1k, but let me know if anyone disagrees or has ideas to get 1k easily https://www.google.ca/flights#flt=OR...;sp:.USD.74133
Trip 2: Dec. 10, ORD-HNL-LIH-DEN-ORD, $808, 8546 PQM
Trips 1+2: 17,520 + 8546 > 26K PQM and the total is $1560 from your pocket. By the way, you will get a break on December 9.
https://www.google.ca/flights#flt=OR...771*.USD.80771
Cheers!
Dec 5, 2018, 8:46 pm
#206
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
The only accelerator options I've seen on my trips lately are for larger amounts - last time it was 9,000 PQM for $1,150.
I think I'll go with SDC on my return SFO to ORD flight, get that extra PQM and be happy with platinum I've thought about mileage runs/chasing 1k, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. I think it might not be worth it, since I'd need another 25k PQM and I think that would be a lot to cram in these last few weeks of December. I started a post in the mileage run thread and nobody has posted anything that seems reasonable to me. I think spending three days on a plane and $1,000+ just isn't worth it for plat to 1k, but let me know if anyone disagrees or has ideas to get 1k easily
I think I'll go with SDC on my return SFO to ORD flight, get that extra PQM and be happy with platinum
I've thought about mileage runs/chasing 1k, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. I think it might not be worth it, since I'd need another 25k PQM and I think that would be a lot to cram in these last few weeks of December. I started a post in the mileage run thread and nobody has posted anything that seems reasonable to me. I think spending three days on a plane and $1,000+ just isn't worth it for plat to 1k, but let me know if anyone disagrees or has ideas to get 1k easily You can book a shorter trip, purchase the accelerator, and then cancel the trip. For instance, I have a mileage ticket IAH-CRP and it is offering me 2000 PQMs for $250 ($50 + $200). Not a "good deal" - but an option if you can't SDC and value your time more than the difference between $250 and a mileage run cost. The miles stick even if the underlying trip is later cancelled (like in the 24hr period or a mileage ticket with fee-waved redeposit).
Dec 5, 2018, 9:01 pm
#207
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
SDC options may be limited
SFO-ORD -> SFO-IAH-ORD would work, if offered. As others state, if there are no seats in F, you won't be offered the flight. So somewhat more restrictive than Y.
You could just do a MR to anywhere, which would be 1000PQM roundtrip w/ 500mi min.(i.e. $191 ORD-CVG or $192 ORD-MKG)
Another option:
UA:$237 ORD-MKE one-way in Business 750PQM (w/ 500mi min)
Wed 26 Dec
UA5870 ORD-MKE 1550-1638 E175
(take Hiawatha train or Airport Express bus home)
Dec 6, 2018, 1:38 am
#208
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 18
Novice here, so I apologize ... but just want to confirm that if I book a flight thru travel agent on Singapore Airlines - business class, fare U, hkg-sin-adl that I will earn PQM.
I am approx 3500 PQM from 1K- dont need to worry about PQD as I live outside USA- and would like to earn 1k status. Thanks
I am approx 3500 PQM from 1K- dont need to worry about PQD as I live outside USA- and would like to earn 1k status. Thanks
Dec 6, 2018, 2:12 am
#209
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR, GVA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 78
that's what i did too. one of my trips got canceled in sept so i would've been a few hundred miles short but i SDC'ed and added a stop so now i'll be 200 miles over 50k PQD
Dec 6, 2018, 8:59 am
#210
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
According to the MileagePlus chart, you should receive 100% PQM on a SQ U fare: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...-airlines.html
Novice here, so I apologize ... but just want to confirm that if I book a flight thru travel agent on Singapore Airlines - business class, fare U, hkg-sin-adl that I will earn PQM.
I am approx 3500 PQM from 1K- dont need to worry about PQD as I live outside USA- and would like to earn 1k status. Thanks
I am approx 3500 PQM from 1K- dont need to worry about PQD as I live outside USA- and would like to earn 1k status. Thanks