Oct 20, 2019, 6:42 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Partner ticket PQP calculator
Beginning in 2020, if you fly a partner airline (not UA metal) and your ticket is on the stock of another airline (not 016 ticket), you will earn PQP as a fraction of the distance flown. That fraction is determined by your fare class, and can be found in the tables below. 
Other Partner Airlines (not Star Alliance)
Warning: It is strongly recommended that you consult the United earnings page for your airline and confirm the earning rate here, as they have been to known to change without notice and apply retroactively to tickets purchased before the change.
GREEN background is a "preferred" partner.
Updated PQP calculator with new per-segment earning cap
More Information on earning PQP and PQF
Archive: Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal {Archive}
Partner Earning
Beginning in 2020, if you fly a partner airline (not UA metal) and your ticket is on the stock of another airline (not 016 ticket), you will earn PQP as a fraction of the distance flown. That fraction is determined by your fare class, and can be found in the tables below.
The way to derive this fraction is to go to the United earnings page for your airline and determine the RDM (not PQM) earning rate for your fare class. Then divide this number by 5 for "preferred partners" and 6 otherwise.
If the fare class of a non-016 *A partner flight allows RDM earnings (and therefore PQDs), the flight also earns Premier Qualifying Flight (PQF) credit.
Preferred Partner Airlines: AC AD AV CA CM EN EW LH LX NH NZ OS SN VA WK
Other Partner Airlines (status earning): A3 AI BR ET HO LO MS OA OU OZ SA SK SQ TG TK TP ZH
Other Partner Airlines (NO Premier credit): 3M 4B 9K EI HA UK VW
Note that for the third category you will earn RDM but no PQP, regardless of ticket stock (this is no change from before when you would not earn PQM).
For flights on or after July 1, 2020, the maximum Premier qualifying points that can be earned per flight {segment} on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines are as follows:
MileagePlus members who purchased tickets on eligible partners prior to these new rules may submit receipts showing tickets were issued prior to April 29, 2020, to [email protected] with the subject line "OA PQP Review" to be considered for PQP earning under the prior rules. Receipts should not be submitted until after travel is completed for flights on or after July 1, 2020.
UA Capping PQP Earn with Partners (update -- per flight segment)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I fly a United-operated segment on a non-United ticket? You will earn PQP equal to the portion of the fare assignable to that segment. This information is transmitted from the ticketing carrier to United, and will be a somewhat arbitrary number between 0 and the full value of the fare component which includes that segment**. (This is the same as earning PQD on such a segment today.)
**Many reports of this not working even this well, and the potential number being outside this range.
What about codeshare segments? As before, codeshares do not matter. Only the operating carrier (metal) of each segment and the stock of the ticket determine your earnings.
How do I get a non-016 ticket? Any ticket purchased directly from another airline will be a partner-issued ticket, even if it has United segments. (Any ticket purchased from United will be an 016 ticket, even if it has no United segments.) Tickets purchased from an agency will usually have a stock of the marketing carrier of the most significant segment ("first long segment" usually).
What's the trick here? Because PQP are earned as a fraction of the distance flown, flying long distances on low-priced fares can earn more PQP than dollars spent. For any given journey, you should consider where you are earning a favorable ratio of PQP to dollars of at least 1.0 when ticketing this way, and consider ticketing with United if you are not.
What about BULK fares? Bulk fares will also earn PQP by distance, as noted in the table below. This is the only way to earn by distance on United metal.
Earnings Tables
Last updated in the image on 17-Nov-23.
To use: Determine the flight miles of your trip, then multiply by the applicable percentage based on the fare class of the ticket. That is your PQP for that segment. Example: 1000 mile flight on Air Canada booked in W fare code: PQP = 1000*.15=150).
Note that values >= 20% are rounded to the nearest 1%, and smaller values are rounded to the nearest 0.1%. If precise calculations are needed, you should always use the original source material (United website).
Star Alliance Airlines
Warning: It is strongly recommended that you consult the United earnings page for your airline and confirm the earning rate here, as they have been to known to change without notice and apply retroactively to tickets purchased before the change.
Note: There are special rules for AC branded Economy fares on 014 tickets.
GREEN background is a "preferred" partner.
Preferred Partner Airlines: AC AD AV CA CM EN EW LH LX NH NZ OS SN VA WK
Other Partner Airlines (status earning): A3 AI BR ET HO LO MS OA OU OZ SA SK SQ TG TK TP ZH
Other Partner Airlines (NO Premier credit): 3M 4B 9K EI HA UK VW
Note that for the third category you will earn RDM but no PQP, regardless of ticket stock (this is no change from before when you would not earn PQM).
For flights on or after July 1, 2020, the maximum Premier qualifying points that can be earned per flight {segment} on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines are as follows:
MileagePlus members who purchased tickets on eligible partners prior to these new rules may submit receipts showing tickets were issued prior to April 29, 2020, to [email protected] with the subject line "OA PQP Review" to be considered for PQP earning under the prior rules. Receipts should not be submitted until after travel is completed for flights on or after July 1, 2020.
UA Capping PQP Earn with Partners (update -- per flight segment)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I fly a United-operated segment on a non-United ticket? You will earn PQP equal to the portion of the fare assignable to that segment. This information is transmitted from the ticketing carrier to United, and will be a somewhat arbitrary number between 0 and the full value of the fare component which includes that segment**. (This is the same as earning PQD on such a segment today.)
**Many reports of this not working even this well, and the potential number being outside this range.
What about codeshare segments? As before, codeshares do not matter. Only the operating carrier (metal) of each segment and the stock of the ticket determine your earnings.
How do I get a non-016 ticket? Any ticket purchased directly from another airline will be a partner-issued ticket, even if it has United segments. (Any ticket purchased from United will be an 016 ticket, even if it has no United segments.) Tickets purchased from an agency will usually have a stock of the marketing carrier of the most significant segment ("first long segment" usually).
What's the trick here? Because PQP are earned as a fraction of the distance flown, flying long distances on low-priced fares can earn more PQP than dollars spent. For any given journey, you should consider where you are earning a favorable ratio of PQP to dollars of at least 1.0 when ticketing this way, and consider ticketing with United if you are not.
What about BULK fares? Bulk fares will also earn PQP by distance, as noted in the table below. This is the only way to earn by distance on United metal.
Earnings Tables
Last updated in the image on 17-Nov-23.
To use: Determine the flight miles of your trip, then multiply by the applicable percentage based on the fare class of the ticket. That is your PQP for that segment. Example: 1000 mile flight on Air Canada booked in W fare code: PQP = 1000*.15=150).
Note that values >= 20% are rounded to the nearest 1%, and smaller values are rounded to the nearest 0.1%. If precise calculations are needed, you should always use the original source material (United website).
Star Alliance Airlines
Warning: It is strongly recommended that you consult the United earnings page for your airline and confirm the earning rate here, as they have been to known to change without notice and apply retroactively to tickets purchased before the change.
Note: There are special rules for AC branded Economy fares on 014 tickets.
GREEN background is a "preferred" partner.
Other Partner Airlines (not Star Alliance)
Warning: It is strongly recommended that you consult the United earnings page for your airline and confirm the earning rate here, as they have been to known to change without notice and apply retroactively to tickets purchased before the change.
GREEN background is a "preferred" partner.
Updated PQP calculator with new per-segment earning cap
I created a updated version of the PQP calculator to handle the upcoming per segment PQP earning limits. It also calculates RDM:
https://pqp.economiles.com/
https://pqp.economiles.com/
More Information on earning PQP and PQF
Earning PQP on flights ticketed and operated by a Star Alliance Partner
Members can also earn Premier qualifying points on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines. Your PQP will be equal to award miles earned divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner; for other MileagePlus partner airlines, it will be award miles earned divided by 6.
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.
For Star Alliance airlines as well as Air Dolomiti, Azul, Eurowings, Edelweiss, and Olympic:
Preferred partner PQP: Award miles divided by 5
MileagePlus partner PQP: Award miles divided by 6
For example, if you earned 360 award miles for your flight, you’ll receive 72 PQP if you flew with a preferred partner, and 60 PQP if you flew with a MileagePlus partner.
PQP Calculator with option to apply max PQP per flight:
https://pqp.economiles.com/
For flights on or after July 1, 2020, the maximum Premier qualifying points that can be earned per flight on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines are as follows:
MileagePlus members who purchased tickets on eligible partners prior to these new rules may submit receipts showing tickets were issued prior to April 29, 2020, to [email protected] with the subject line "OA PQP Review" to be considered for PQP earning under the prior rules. Receipts should not be submitted until after travel is completed for flights on or after July 1, 2020.
For more information on PQP accrual for a specific airline, visit our airline partner pages.
Members can also earn Premier qualifying points on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines. Your PQP will be equal to award miles earned divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner; for other MileagePlus partner airlines, it will be award miles earned divided by 6.
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.
For Star Alliance airlines as well as Air Dolomiti, Azul, Eurowings, Edelweiss, and Olympic:
Preferred partner PQP: Award miles divided by 5
MileagePlus partner PQP: Award miles divided by 6
For example, if you earned 360 award miles for your flight, you’ll receive 72 PQP if you flew with a preferred partner, and 60 PQP if you flew with a MileagePlus partner.
PQP Calculator with option to apply max PQP per flight:
https://pqp.economiles.com/
For flights on or after July 1, 2020, the maximum Premier qualifying points that can be earned per flight on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines are as follows:
MileagePlus members who purchased tickets on eligible partners prior to these new rules may submit receipts showing tickets were issued prior to April 29, 2020, to [email protected] with the subject line "OA PQP Review" to be considered for PQP earning under the prior rules. Receipts should not be submitted until after travel is completed for flights on or after July 1, 2020.
For more information on PQP accrual for a specific airline, visit our airline partner pages.
Archive: Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal {Archive}
Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
Mar 10, 2024, 2:54 pm
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,519
I had a SK ticket last year which went from ORD-CPH to ORD-EWR-CPH because SAS temporarily stopped flying between ORD and CPH for a period of time. PQP posted as expected, along with SK flights using the distance method. I positioned from EWR to ORD, and then flew back to EWR...lol
One more cheap SK PE ticket this month. I think you have flown a bunch of those, right?
Mar 10, 2024, 4:29 pm
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Mar 10, 2024, 6:58 pm
#303
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,520
Thanks for the feedback all. 'Shorted' may have been the wrong word, I was more getting at what cfischer shows above (my itinerary is P fare segments as well). It would be nice if the earnings weren't opaque.
Good information here as always, I'll ponder what to do.
Good information here as always, I'll ponder what to do.
Mar 13, 2024, 6:38 pm
#304
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,163
What are “total award miles”?
I can’t figure out how my PQPs were calculated on a recent revenue flight with preferred partner VirginAustralia CNS-MEL (air distance = 1,814 miles) booked directly with VA.
I netted 72 PQP and 359 “base miles” (and also 359 “total miles earned.”)
Policy: “MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying point(s) equal to the total award miles earned for the flight divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner…”
It seems like the actual distance of 1,814 miles was divided by 5 to get to the 359 total miles earned and then once again divided by 5 to get to the 72 PQP.
How does this make sense?
I netted 72 PQP and 359 “base miles” (and also 359 “total miles earned.”)
Policy: “MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying point(s) equal to the total award miles earned for the flight divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner…”
It seems like the actual distance of 1,814 miles was divided by 5 to get to the 359 total miles earned and then once again divided by 5 to get to the 72 PQP.
How does this make sense?
Mar 13, 2024, 7:26 pm
#305
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
I can’t figure out how my PQPs were calculated on a recent revenue flight with preferred partner VirginAustralia CNS-MEL (air distance = 1,814 miles) booked directly with VA.
I netted 72 PQP and 359 “base miles” (and also 359 “total miles earned.”)
Policy: “MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying point(s) equal to the total award miles earned for the flight divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner…”
It seems like the actual distance of 1,814 miles was divided by 5 to get to the 359 total miles earned and then once again divided by 5 to get to the 72 PQP.
How does this make sense?
I netted 72 PQP and 359 “base miles” (and also 359 “total miles earned.”)
Policy: “MileagePlus members will earn Premier qualifying point(s) equal to the total award miles earned for the flight divided by 5 if you’re flying on a preferred partner…”
It seems like the actual distance of 1,814 miles was divided by 5 to get to the 359 total miles earned and then once again divided by 5 to get to the 72 PQP.
How does this make sense?
Mar 14, 2024, 11:10 am
#306
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
Is MP accrual for non-UA flights really not impacted by status?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
Mar 14, 2024, 11:42 am
#307
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
It depends upon the partner.
For LH, you'd get more redeemable miles on a 220 ticket as a 1K than as a Silver -- note "Earning Premier bonus award miles" in the list of privileges when flying LH: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mil...lufthansa.html
It is present for a few partners -- mostly in LH group -- and absent for most. When that line is absent, there is no redeemable mile bonus for Premier status level.
Note that this calculation is performed after computing PQPs, though -- this ain't AA.
So you'll earn the same PQP regardless of status.
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
It is present for a few partners -- mostly in LH group -- and absent for most. When that line is absent, there is no redeemable mile bonus for Premier status level.
Note that this calculation is performed after computing PQPs, though -- this ain't AA.
So you'll earn the same PQP regardless of status.
Last edited by jsloan; Mar 14, 2024 at 3:30 pm Reason: Reversed Silver and 1K -- thanks TBD. :)
Mar 14, 2024, 11:43 am
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,519
Mar 14, 2024, 2:53 pm
#309
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
It depends upon the partner.
For LH, you'd get more redeemable miles on a 220 ticket as a Silver than as a 1K -- note "Earning Premier bonus award miles" in the list of privileges when flying LH: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mil...lufthansa.html
It is present for a few partners -- mostly in LH group -- and absent for most. When that line is absent, there is no redeemable mile bonus for Premier status level.
Note that this calculation is performed after computing PQPs, though -- this ain't AA. So you'll earn the same PQP regardless of status.
For LH, you'd get more redeemable miles on a 220 ticket as a Silver than as a 1K -- note "Earning Premier bonus award miles" in the list of privileges when flying LH: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mil...lufthansa.html
It is present for a few partners -- mostly in LH group -- and absent for most. When that line is absent, there is no redeemable mile bonus for Premier status level.
Note that this calculation is performed after computing PQPs, though -- this ain't AA.
So you'll earn the same PQP regardless of status.Regardless, the bonus mile section on the LH page links to another page. The top table here applies to fare-based accrual, which I don't think applies to 220 tickets. The next statement down says to go back to the LH page for LH-specific earning details.
Or does the table beneath that govern? 25% bonus for Silver vs 100% bonus for 1K?
My concern is redeemable miles. Not PQP.
Mar 14, 2024, 3:30 pm
#310
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
Sorry, typo on my part. I meant the opposite, as you probably guessed. 
Yes, that's accurate. For the partners that include that benefit, you get a status-based redeemable mile bonus of 25/50/75/100%.
Yes, that's accurate. For the partners that include that benefit, you get a status-based redeemable mile bonus of 25/50/75/100%.
Mar 14, 2024, 6:17 pm
#311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Is MP accrual for non-UA flights really not impacted by status?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
25-100% bonus miles: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...r/bonuses.html
You definitely get that for LH and LX. 4Y used to get it, but it is no longer listed. Same is true for WK (only earn as LX anyway) ... used to earn, currently not listed. YMMV.
Mar 14, 2024, 7:28 pm
#312
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
Payment isn't the issue. Last time I booked 4Y on 016, I could neither reserve a seat nor check-in online. I called and tried to pay for the seat, but Lufthansa just couldn't figure out how to do it.
Mar 14, 2024, 8:00 pm
#313
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: INN
Posts: 2,914
Is MP accrual for non-UA flights really not impacted by status?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
I'm looking at a 4Y+LH flight outbound and LX+WK return. I can buy from United or from Lufthansa. I think buying from LH means I'm actually able to select seats, so I'd prefer to do that. But I don't follow the mileage accrual rules. Does a 1K really get the same miles as a Silver when buying non-UA flights on a 220 ticket?
Mar 15, 2024, 5:45 am
#314
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
OLCI restrictions can happen on any ticket stock. You 'should' be able to reserve a seat on 4Y, but admittedly I haven't tried that yet. The way the LH-group systems work this is a separate payment process that shouldn't be affected by ticket stock.
Mar 15, 2024, 12:13 pm
#315
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
Shouldn't ... but has.
I called LH after failing to secure a seat online (I got an error, but don't remember what it was). LH agent took payment information. I didn't get the seat, though, nor was I actually charged. On check-in at the airport, I inquired on why I couldn't check-in online. I was told that's the case for all UA tickets on 4Y. This was a year ago - hopefully things have improveed.
I called LH after failing to secure a seat online (I got an error, but don't remember what it was). LH agent took payment information. I didn't get the seat, though, nor was I actually charged. On check-in at the airport, I inquired on why I couldn't check-in online. I was told that's the case for all UA tickets on 4Y. This was a year ago - hopefully things have improveed.