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"
Oct 16, 2018, 5:24 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I am currently Premier Gold with 73K PQM and about 7300 PQD. In the next 2.5 months I will get to way more than the 75K PQM required, but not sure if I will get over 9000 PQD. I am taking a long haul Air Canada flight that I had to book using AC ticket, and so it won't give me any PQD.
So let's say if I end up at 90K PQM and 8000 PQD, What's my best way to get to Premier Platinum - from what I have understood so far, it could be one of:
1. Wait until January to see United will make me an offer
2. Buy/upgrade to first class tickets for any upcoming United trip, so it will count towards PQD and possibly take me close
3. Do mileage runs
I am trying to figure out which is the least costly option for me. Are there any other options? I travel mostly domestic (coast to coast), with a couple of international flights each year. Not sure spending any significant money is worth to go from Gold to Platinum.
Regards
So let's say if I end up at 90K PQM and 8000 PQD, What's my best way to get to Premier Platinum - from what I have understood so far, it could be one of:
1. Wait until January to see United will make me an offer
2. Buy/upgrade to first class tickets for any upcoming United trip, so it will count towards PQD and possibly take me close
3. Do mileage runs
I am trying to figure out which is the least costly option for me. Are there any other options? I travel mostly domestic (coast to coast), with a couple of international flights each year. Not sure spending any significant money is worth to go from Gold to Platinum.
Regards
Oct 16, 2018, 6:13 am
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Stay gold. With the new rules of BG and baggage, unless you consistently travel with companions (primarily family) where the 8 E+ seats at booking is a key benefit, there's little need to stretch for platinum. As a current and long time plat who is likely to fall into 1k by chance this year, the only areas I'd stretch would be from silver to gold or platinum to 1k.
Oct 21, 2018, 4:33 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: UA 1K, SkyMiles
Posts: 25
Mileage Run or buy to 1K
When I finish my known flights this year (end of November) I will be at 92K+ PQMs. I have the spend ($12K) no problem, but next year I will need to spend $15K to make 1K so this may be my last shot at 1K
Question: is it a better value this year to ask about buying the extra 8K PQMs, assuming that is an option OR would it be better to do a mileage run? If a mileage run, what is the best value route to pick up 8K? Most likely I would fly out of DEN round trip.
Question: is it a better value this year to ask about buying the extra 8K PQMs, assuming that is an option OR would it be better to do a mileage run? If a mileage run, what is the best value route to pick up 8K? Most likely I would fly out of DEN round trip.
Oct 21, 2018, 4:58 pm
#51
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
A decent MR should be half that or less but that costs you personal time. Only you can make that trade-off.
As for MR ideas, see UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed and Premium Fare Deals
Oct 21, 2018, 4:58 pm
#52
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: 67,133
Mileage run. Buying 8k PQM will cost you a lot toward the end of the year.
Hmm, ex-DEN, I'd think something connecting via EWR or IAD to the northeast or southeast would work, in paid front cabin. E.g. 1452 x 4 + 500 x 4 = 7808, depending on how much change you have above 92k. DEN-TPA via IAD in discount F looks to run $850-ish a-i and would give you more than 8k PQM. I think you can probably get someone cheaper like RDU, ATL, or RIC (not sure of the timing or whether all of those have 2-class flights for the regional hop, though) in the $650-$750 range.
Buying 8k PQM will run you significantly more than that based on my current offers being shown.
Hmm, ex-DEN, I'd think something connecting via EWR or IAD to the northeast or southeast would work, in paid front cabin. E.g. 1452 x 4 + 500 x 4 = 7808, depending on how much change you have above 92k. DEN-TPA via IAD in discount F looks to run $850-ish a-i and would give you more than 8k PQM. I think you can probably get someone cheaper like RDU, ATL, or RIC (not sure of the timing or whether all of those have 2-class flights for the regional hop, though) in the $650-$750 range.
Buying 8k PQM will run you significantly more than that based on my current offers being shown.
Oct 21, 2018, 6:13 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
There's two options for minimum spend, IMO, as OP already has the needed PQD, and only needs 8K miles:
1) A short trip up front like exerda mentioned. Short, decently comfortable flight, using least amount of time, and least amount of effort to get the extra 8k miles.
2) Travel in Y to a desired destination far away but make the most of it, by staying there for a few days. Then at least it seems somewhat worth it.
Maybe I am just getting older, but to me a long distance, quick-turnaround Y mileage run isn't something I'll consider anymore.
Oct 21, 2018, 7:03 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
Oct 21, 2018, 7:30 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k. Alaska gold 75k. Hilton Diamond. Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1
If you’re close to Denver check out COS-ANC. offseason fares to Alaska. Usually cheaper out of COS plus you get the extra PQM with the connection in DEN. Spend a night at the captain cook and hope the northern lights are out that night.
Last edited by kbs24; Oct 21, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Oct 24, 2018, 6:06 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Segment Run from Bay Area First Class
I've met the premier qualifying miles (PQM) and premier qualifying dollars (PQD) for Mileage Plus Premier Gold, almost entirely on partner airlines, and likely to hit Premier Platinum PQM & PQD. Still, I'd be two United-operated segments short of qualifying. I'm toying with the idea of buying a short first class roundtrip from the SF Bay Area to get those, and found a variety of options for around $400-600 roundtrip. Of course, this is a little different from the old mileage run idea, since all I need is segments. For example, San Francisco (SFO) to Sacramento (SMF) same-day roundtrip would be somewhat silly but would do the trick. Has anyone here optimized a similar itinerary? Thanks.
Oct 24, 2018, 6:10 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,411
I'd go to SoCal somewhere in Y on an E75 -- it's comfortable enough for two 50 minute flights and less than half the price. If you must be up front, you're going to struggle to pay much less than about $200 per direction. LAX is $183 right now.