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 11, 2018, 9:55 am
#241
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
I need 3629 PQMs to make 1K for the year. I normally fly out of DEN. So I am looking for a recommendation for a cheap (under $400?) and hopefully one day RT from DEN that will get me those miles. So far, DEN-MCO and Tuesdays look good, but I am open. With the new requirements, this will be my last chance to be 1K. I have the $ spend. It would be great if I could end with 100,001 miles, but I am flexible...
I would look at DEN-SFO x2. You can usually get sub-$400 fares even last minute to SFO. Granted, this still puts you in the ~$700-800 range.
My last year as a 1K was achieved with a MR DEN-LAX-SFO-ORD-DEN (SFO-ORD redeye). My wife still brings it up as one of the "dumbest" things I've ever done.
Last edited by tods27; Dec 11, 2018 at 10:01 am
Dec 11, 2018, 10:00 am
#243
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Mojave Desert
Programs: UA Gold / BA Gold
Posts: 25
DEN-IAD-MIA-DEN 12/19-12/20 redeye
2,373 + 1,709 = 4,082
$440.40
https://goo.gl/flights/q8E5W
There also may be a flight through IAH that gets you a more specific number ... those flights are 1,826 PQM each direction
2,373 + 1,709 = 4,082
$440.40
https://goo.gl/flights/q8E5W
There also may be a flight through IAH that gets you a more specific number ... those flights are 1,826 PQM each direction
Dec 11, 2018, 10:09 am
#244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
- DEN-ORD UA 532 connecting to ORD-MIA UA 2245 19-DEC 6:55a-3:38p 1:18 connection time
- MIA-DEN UA 1883 19-DEC 6:45p-9:13p
3794 PQMs
(Search DEN-MIA RT)
Dec 11, 2018, 10:27 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Those same-plane returns are nice because they're SAFE!!!!
Last edited by Bonehead; Dec 11, 2018 at 10:34 am
Dec 11, 2018, 10:48 am
#248
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
My kids still don't understand why I plug in my house when leaving Denver... I do it to see traffic delays, not because I forgot where my house is!
Dec 11, 2018, 10:53 am
#249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Wait, you are talking about me? I drive I-25 every other day, but there is always 83 through Parker to avoid the carnage on the interstate. My kids still don't understand why I plug in my house when leaving Denver... I do it to see traffic delays, not because I forgot where my house is!
My kids still don't understand why I plug in my house when leaving Denver... I do it to see traffic delays, not because I forgot where my house is!
Dec 11, 2018, 11:01 am
#250
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, MP Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 124
I need 3629 PQMs to make 1K for the year. I normally fly out of DEN. So I am looking for a recommendation for a cheap (under $400?) and hopefully one day RT from DEN that will get me those miles. So far, DEN-MCO and Tuesdays look good, but I am open. With the new requirements, this will be my last chance to be 1K. I have the $ spend. It would be great if I could end with 100,001 miles, but I am flexible...
Dec 11, 2018, 11:15 am
#251
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium, UA 1k, SW A-list
Posts: 38
Flying out of: ORD
PQM needed: 16,886 (for 1k)
PQDs needed: None (already >$12,000)
I'm looking to minimize actual travel time. Does anyone know if there are any F or J fare domestic trips that can reach that without breaking the bank?
Dec 11, 2018, 11:36 am
#252
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
https://goo.gl/flights/ajqTj $1015 USD and ~19k miles, all in P.
Dec 11, 2018, 12:31 pm
#253
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
COS-DEN on the CR2 I don't care, anything else I look for something better. For the OP, some destinations adds hundreds of dollars to fly out of COS, while some are cheaper. Logic doesn't exist so search and enjoy.
Last edited by COSPILOT; Dec 11, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Dec 11, 2018, 1:45 pm
#254
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: 66,857
Some resources for those looking for a few extra PQDs/PQMs/PQSs
Mileage Run Discussion
Mileage Run Deals
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
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
Mileage Run Deals
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
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
Dec 11, 2018, 2:13 pm
#255
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: United, Delta, AA, southwest
Posts: 150
I was 5K PQM short to make 1K. I found a cheap ticket from LAX-HNL-LAX ($250) a flew it last week. Finally made 100,281 PQM for this year. Don't think I can make it next year with the $15K PQD.