Oct 11, 2019, 5:20 am
Last edit by: SPN Lifer
tl;dr - PQMs/PQDs/PQS going away, replaced with PQPs. $1 = 1 PQP. See chart below for thresholds:
ex
New Status Measures
Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): Basically the same as PQD. Everything that was a PQD continues to count, plus:
Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): Same as BIS segments (no class of service bonus) except Basic Economy and award tickets don't count.
PQP Earning on Partners
You can now earn PQP on non-016 tickets when flying eligible partners.
"Preferred" Partners (mostly JV partners): 1/5 of the RDM earned, excluding status bonuses (but including fare class) on AC AD AV CA CM EW LH LX NH NZ OS SN.
Others: 1/6 of the RDM earned, excluding status bonuses (but including fare class) on other airlines with MP earnings available.
Note: Because all partners earn RDM by distance when not on an 016-ticket, this effectively awards PQP by distance, from 40% in many JV First and Business cabins to 5% in things like LX K.
Preferred partners:
Bulk Tickets
Per UA Insider in this post: Yes you will now earn PQP on bulk tickets but not necessarily for the cash value since the price of the ticket is opaque. Bulk tickets will be equal to the award miles you earn for the ticket (excluding Premier bonus miles, if any) divided by 5.
Foreign Addresses
The PQD waiver for foreign MP addresses will no longer apply beginning in 2020.
Credit Card Holders
The PQD waivers and PQM earnings from all Chase cards are ending. Instead, Chase cards allow you to earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 of eligible spend, but only up to the following limits:
1,000 PQP / $24,000: MP Explorer, MP Club, MP Awards, and MP cards, plus their business equivalents (bonus PQP do not count for 1K)
3,000 PQP / $72,000: MP Select and MP Platinum cards
10,000 PQP / $240,000: Presidential Plus and PP Business cards
Existing Flexible PQM (FPQM) on eligible cards will become FPQP at a 5:1 ratio on 01-Apr-20 and will only be applicable through Platinum status.
ex
New Status Measures
Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): Basically the same as PQD. Everything that was a PQD continues to count, plus:
- Copay component of miles+copay upgrades
- Paid upgrades (TOD or "sticker-type")
- Travel on partner airlines on partner stock (awarded as a fraction of the distance, similar to DL)
Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): Same as BIS segments (no class of service bonus) except Basic Economy and award tickets don't count.
PQP Earning on Partners
You can now earn PQP on non-016 tickets when flying eligible partners.
"Preferred" Partners (mostly JV partners): 1/5 of the RDM earned, excluding status bonuses (but including fare class) on AC AD AV CA CM EW LH LX NH NZ OS SN.
Others: 1/6 of the RDM earned, excluding status bonuses (but including fare class) on other airlines with MP earnings available.
Note: Because all partners earn RDM by distance when not on an 016-ticket, this effectively awards PQP by distance, from 40% in many JV First and Business cabins to 5% in things like LX K.
Preferred partners:
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Eurowings
- Lufthansa
- SWISS International Airlines
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Dolomiti
- Air India
- Asiana Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Edelweiss
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- Juneyao Air
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Olympic Air
- SAS
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- Turkish Airlines
Bulk Tickets
Per UA Insider in this post: Yes you will now earn PQP on bulk tickets but not necessarily for the cash value since the price of the ticket is opaque. Bulk tickets will be equal to the award miles you earn for the ticket (excluding Premier bonus miles, if any) divided by 5.
Foreign Addresses
The PQD waiver for foreign MP addresses will no longer apply beginning in 2020.
Credit Card Holders
The PQD waivers and PQM earnings from all Chase cards are ending. Instead, Chase cards allow you to earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 of eligible spend, but only up to the following limits:
1,000 PQP / $24,000: MP Explorer, MP Club, MP Awards, and MP cards, plus their business equivalents (bonus PQP do not count for 1K)
3,000 PQP / $72,000: MP Select and MP Platinum cards
10,000 PQP / $240,000: Presidential Plus and PP Business cards
Existing Flexible PQM (FPQM) on eligible cards will become FPQP at a 5:1 ratio on 01-Apr-20 and will only be applicable through Platinum status.
United is updating the way MileagePlus members qualify for Premier status in 2020 for the 2021 program year. We recognized that distance was not the best way for us to measure customer loyalty, which is why we are introducing a new qualification structure to better deliver Premier benefits to our most valued customers. In 2020, members will only need to account for two factors to earn status: number of flights taken (Premier Qualifying Flights) and value of tickets purchased (Premier Qualifying Points).
Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): every flight, a takeoff and landing, will count as a PQF except Basic Economy and tickets booked using miles.
Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): 1 PQP = 1 U.S. dollar spent. You will earn PQPs on the base fare of your ticket (no taxes and fees), Economy Plus and Preferred seat purchases, and now on paid upgrades, MileagePlus upgrade award co-pays and credit for Star Alliance partner flights not ticketed or operated by United.
Qualification requirements for 2020
Here’s how members will qualify for each Premier status level starting January 1, 2020 for status in the 2021 program year:
United Cardmembers who are eligible for a PQD waiver, PQM, or Flexible PQM (FPQM) based on annual card spend will be offered new ways to earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) based on annual card spend. The ability to earn a PQD waiver, PQM, or FPQM on these cards will end on December 31, 2019.
Learn more: https://mileageplusupdates.com/milea...qualification/
Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): every flight, a takeoff and landing, will count as a PQF except Basic Economy and tickets booked using miles.
Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): 1 PQP = 1 U.S. dollar spent. You will earn PQPs on the base fare of your ticket (no taxes and fees), Economy Plus and Preferred seat purchases, and now on paid upgrades, MileagePlus upgrade award co-pays and credit for Star Alliance partner flights not ticketed or operated by United.
Qualification requirements for 2020
Here’s how members will qualify for each Premier status level starting January 1, 2020 for status in the 2021 program year:
United Cardmembers who are eligible for a PQD waiver, PQM, or Flexible PQM (FPQM) based on annual card spend will be offered new ways to earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) based on annual card spend. The ability to earn a PQD waiver, PQM, or FPQM on these cards will end on December 31, 2019.
Learn more: https://mileageplusupdates.com/milea...qualification/
New Premier Qualification Requirements for 2020: Only Spend or Spend + Flight Sectors
Oct 11, 2019, 1:56 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Oh, that’s a good point.
I’d say, the entire inclusion of the chart is the actual mistake, because it’s going to have to depend upon the partner booking class, just as it does today. It doesn’t really make any sense to try to have one chart that shows what the allowable booking classes are.
I’d say, the entire inclusion of the chart is the actual mistake, because it’s going to have to depend upon the partner booking class, just as it does today. It doesn’t really make any sense to try to have one chart that shows what the allowable booking classes are.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:03 am
#77
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,400
It would be good to see what the new earn rates are for partners.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:07 am
#78
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
But if you are trying to use your plus points, you won't be spending enough to earn them again the following year....
Oct 11, 2019, 2:08 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
Hand wringing aside, I think I’m gonna be OK ...
The segments are fine - I have no problem getting there from here. It’s the spend that has me worries. $18k is tough on lots of domestic economy segments.
that said, earning some PQP’s based on my Pres Plus card spend could be the saving grace here. They’ve just shrewdly guaranteed I’m going to increase the % or spend that goes on the PP card.
In the end, I see a path to 1K. Won’t likely be much (if at all) harder than today.
The segments are fine - I have no problem getting there from here. It’s the spend that has me worries. $18k is tough on lots of domestic economy segments.
that said, earning some PQP’s based on my Pres Plus card spend could be the saving grace here. They’ve just shrewdly guaranteed I’m going to increase the % or spend that goes on the PP card.
In the end, I see a path to 1K. Won’t likely be much (if at all) harder than today.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:21 am
#80
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: UA 1K, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, Delta Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 362
Glad I decided to push for status this year. 2020 will be my first and only year as 1K.
Didn't expect the PQD waiver/loophole for international customers to last for long but it's disappointing anyway. I'll likely fly AC and NH a lot more than UA in the future.
Star Alliance Gold benefits (especially lounge access) will be missed though.
Is it possible to have 1K benefits on my 2020 flights but credit the miles to another airline?
For example, having the Mileage Plus credit reverted (after the flight) and credited to another frequent flyer program? Or change the frequent flyer number right before boarding?
Didn't expect the PQD waiver/loophole for international customers to last for long but it's disappointing anyway. I'll likely fly AC and NH a lot more than UA in the future.
Star Alliance Gold benefits (especially lounge access) will be missed though.
Is it possible to have 1K benefits on my 2020 flights but credit the miles to another airline?
For example, having the Mileage Plus credit reverted (after the flight) and credited to another frequent flyer program? Or change the frequent flyer number right before boarding?
Oct 11, 2019, 2:23 am
#81
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,922
Star Alliance Gold benefits (especially lounge access) will be missed though.
Is it possible to have 1K benefits on my 2020 flights but credit the miles to another airline?
For example, having the Mileage Plus credit reverted (after the flight) and credited to another frequent flyer program? Or change the frequent flyer number right before boarding?
Is it possible to have 1K benefits on my 2020 flights but credit the miles to another airline?
For example, having the Mileage Plus credit reverted (after the flight) and credited to another frequent flyer program? Or change the frequent flyer number right before boarding?
Oct 11, 2019, 2:27 am
#82
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Very disappointed. I won’t try to understand the new program/scheme for 2021.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:38 am
#83
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Posts: 220
Ladies and gentlemen of UA FT, it was an honor.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:42 am
#84
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,352
Oct 11, 2019, 2:55 am
#85
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 183
Now that United has effectively doubled the spend requirement for 1k over 2-3 years, I wonder if that also means changes to GS qualification for 2020/2021.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:56 am
#86
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
So, right now, I am at 68 PQS and $22,000 spend and another 12-15 PQS and $8000 spend to go this year. Even with quite a few LH and NH trips in the mix - this will be awesome for EU trips, I'll never have to TATL on UA again and I have only used UA for about 50% of my TPAC this year anyway.
I wish the additional plus points weren't so hard to earn but cest la vie, if less 1K overall, less competition overall, maybe they will be more usable anyway
This should thin the 1K herd significantly, all you guys going to AA, DL, B6 etc - godspeed and have a nice trip
I wish the additional plus points weren't so hard to earn but cest la vie, if less 1K overall, less competition overall, maybe they will be more usable anyway
This should thin the 1K herd significantly, all you guys going to AA, DL, B6 etc - godspeed and have a nice trip
Oct 11, 2019, 2:56 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 51
Please note award miles is your base award miles earning plus your fare class bonus award miles earning, if eligible. Premier bonus miles earned are not included within this calculation and are ineligible for Premier qualifying points accrual.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:58 am
#88
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Germany
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 417
Was able to get the 1K for approx. 2.500€ in spend this year due to the PQD waiver and really cheap Eco tickets. With the new system I wouldn't even become a Silver for 2021.
While I understand that is was quite unfair for US residents it's a huge devaluation for us Europeans. I might be able to maintain a Gold with flying on Partner airlines instead of UA, but then where's the sense of earning miles on United?
Also, announcing this just 2 1/2 month before coming into effect is naughty imo. Many people already booked flights for 2020, and some might have chosen United for their PQM earning.
While I understand that is was quite unfair for US residents it's a huge devaluation for us Europeans. I might be able to maintain a Gold with flying on Partner airlines instead of UA, but then where's the sense of earning miles on United?
Also, announcing this just 2 1/2 month before coming into effect is naughty imo. Many people already booked flights for 2020, and some might have chosen United for their PQM earning.
Oct 11, 2019, 2:59 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
This will be just another change to get adjusted for. The people chasing status are flying primarily on OPM, so I reckon companies are going to fund this next round of status chasing too. The people flying on their own dime are probably going to squeak their way into a status by the end of the year with better understanding of the loopholes.
Anyone who had stepped out of UA in 2018 is going to have a shock of their lives in 2020 when all the changes materializes. I dont recognize or understand this program anymore.
Anyone who had stepped out of UA in 2018 is going to have a shock of their lives in 2020 when all the changes materializes. I dont recognize or understand this program anymore.
Oct 11, 2019, 3:00 am
#90
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Germany
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 417
Just found this phrase as well:
"You’ll earn PQF on partner airlines as well, except when flying on light fares, basic fares, and award tickets"
I guess inter-European flights are excepted though and the're just referring to their variant of "International Basic Economy". No earning on inter-european flights with LH, LX, ... would be another bummer.
There's no mention on https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ng-credit.html yet, but clooks like they don't know what they're doing anyway.
"You’ll earn PQF on partner airlines as well, except when flying on light fares, basic fares, and award tickets"
I guess inter-European flights are excepted though and the're just referring to their variant of "International Basic Economy". No earning on inter-european flights with LH, LX, ... would be another bummer.
There's no mention on https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ng-credit.html yet, but clooks like they don't know what they're doing anyway.