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 6, 2018, 11:12 am
#211
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Short PQD on United with 20 days left in the year!
Somehow I ended up being short $700 PQD this year, despite reaching 100,000 PQM. Any advice on how to acquire those PQDs without spending $1,400 out of pocket? Because I would be VERY sad to lose my 1k status after three years, because I saved my company a measly $1,400 this year on flying to Asia on the cheapest flights possible...
Dec 6, 2018, 11:20 am
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,361
Somehow I ended up being short $700 PQD this year, despite reaching 100,000 PQM. Any advice on how to acquire those PQDs without spending $1,400 out of pocket? Because I would be VERY sad to lose my 1k status after three years, because I saved my company a measly $1,400 this year on flying to Asia on the cheapest flights possible...
As a 1K, the only way to get 700 PQDs is to fly. However, it shouldn't cost $1400 to get 700 PQDs; more like $800, as long as all of your flights are by the end of the month. Just look for a flight that meets your spending needs, keeping in mind that you can buy a more expensive fare class than the absolute cheapest available (you can do this using advanced search on the united.com website).
Dec 6, 2018, 11:24 am
#213
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,769
Welcome to FT!, nicoleeejean
Only two options
-- if you have a flight scheduled before the end of the year --- upfare it for the needed amount (probably about $800)
-- book a new flight (same day return?) -- book in domestic F to shorten the trip
For the later, go to Google Flights, enter your desired origin, leave the destination blank, select *A, set a date, set a price range -- again a bit above $800 and see what shows up on the map. Picking First should help inflate the price and shorten the travel time.
-- if you have a flight scheduled before the end of the year --- upfare it for the needed amount (probably about $800)
-- book a new flight (same day return?) -- book in domestic F to shorten the trip
For the later, go to Google Flights, enter your desired origin, leave the destination blank, select *A, set a date, set a price range -- again a bit above $800 and see what shows up on the map. Picking First should help inflate the price and shorten the travel time.
Dec 6, 2018, 1:08 pm
#214
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 38
I'll finish the year at:
PQM: ~26,000
PQS: 56.5
PQD: ~$9,000
This puts me 3.5 PQS and 25,000 PQM short of qualifying for Gold. However, I'll have qualified for Platinum based on PQD.
Any idea what my buy up to Gold offer might be?
PQM: ~26,000
PQS: 56.5
PQD: ~$9,000
This puts me 3.5 PQS and 25,000 PQM short of qualifying for Gold. However, I'll have qualified for Platinum based on PQD.
Any idea what my buy up to Gold offer might be?
Dec 6, 2018, 3:56 pm
#216
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,417
Dec 6, 2018, 6:14 pm
#218
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Dec 6, 2018, 6:55 pm
#219
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 38
To be fair, last year I finished with 4,500PQM, 15PQS, and $2,600PQD and was still made a $1,500 offer for Silver (declined). So I think I’ll get one this time from Silver to Gold. I’m just worried, like you suggest, that it may be outrageously rich.
Dec 7, 2018, 4:19 am
#220
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Whatever it is, I am sure it will be more than a cheap round trip with 2 segments each way. Probably much more. Google flights has a few tomorrow for under $400 (starting in WAS or ORD, you would need to put your own constraints in)
Dec 7, 2018, 8:32 am
#221
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Can't they purchase an E+ subscription for $700? Won't get them anything but will get them over the PQD threshold.
Dec 7, 2018, 8:59 am
#222
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,361
Dec 8, 2018, 7:31 pm
#224
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: United
Posts: 1
So I'm dropping down from Gold to Silver (after dropping from 1k) - except I didn't realize they raised PQS to 30. So I have 26 segments and 22,277 miles. Normally I wouldn't do this, but I have two kids (one lap infant, one own seat) and the Silver is worth it to get economy plus. I do have the United Club card - but I really need access to economy plus.
Departure Airport: ORD or MKE
Miles Needed: 2723 or 4 segments
Required Spend or Budget: Under $500
Available Travel Dates: Week of Dec 17th, 26-29 (prefer a 1 day trip)
Departure Airport: ORD or MKE
Miles Needed: 2723 or 4 segments
Required Spend or Budget: Under $500
Available Travel Dates: Week of Dec 17th, 26-29 (prefer a 1 day trip)