Nov 8, 2022, 9:01 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
2023 Program changes communicated to MileagePlus members
As travel resumes to pre-pandemic levels, we are updating our qualification requirements to ensure that the Premier program is best situated to deliver for our most loyal customers. Our 2023 Premier program gives members even more opportunities to achieve and upgrade Premier status and is designed to provide valuable benefits for all Premier members. And remember — the MileagePlus® Premier® program, unlike some other loyalty programs, has no distance requirement to reach status. You might not know how far you’ll fly in 2023, so rest easy knowing you can qualify for Premier status with just Premier qualifying points (PQP), or a combination of Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and PQP. Also, your eligible United℠ MileagePlus credit card can help get you there.
Here are some of the key changes we’re making for 2023:
As travel resumes to pre-pandemic levels, we are updating our qualification requirements to ensure that the Premier program is best situated to deliver for our most loyal customers. Our 2023 Premier program gives members even more opportunities to achieve and upgrade Premier status and is designed to provide valuable benefits for all Premier members. And remember — the MileagePlus® Premier® program, unlike some other loyalty programs, has no distance requirement to reach status. You might not know how far you’ll fly in 2023, so rest easy knowing you can qualify for Premier status with just Premier qualifying points (PQP), or a combination of Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and PQP. Also, your eligible United℠ MileagePlus credit card can help get you there.
Here are some of the key changes we’re making for 2023:
- We’re changing our standard requirements for every Premier level back to January 2020 levels.
- We’re automatically depositing Premier qualifying points (PQP) based on the 2023 Premier status you hold at the end of 2022, giving eligible Premiers a head start towards hitting the PQP requirement for their status level.
- We are providing a new path to earn towards Premier status by giving qualifying credit when you use MileagePlus miles for award flights operated by United or United Express.
- The United MileagePlus Quest and Club Infinite cards are getting anincrease to the maximum PQP that may be earned in a calendar year, and the total PQP members can earn across their cobranded cards is also increasing.
- Premier 1K members will earn incremental PlusPoints for every 3K PQP earned beyond 18K PQP once they meet the published requirements for 1K status.
- All redeposit fees associated with cancelling award travel have been removed.
The email was just dropped. Here's the summary:
- Increased PQP qualification levels
- Jump start PQP based on status level - 500/1000/1500/2500 for Silver/Gold/Plat/1K
- PQP for Award travel, at 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed + PQF
- Increased credit card PQP earning cap
- Removal of award ticket redeposit fees
MileagePlus # XXXXX010
Updates to the 2023
MileagePlus Premier Program
For the past two years, we adjusted our MileagePlus® Premier® program requirements to reflect the frequency of travel during uncertain times. With travel now in full swing, our standard qualification requirements are returning. But we are giving you a boost and adding new qualifying activities to our 2023 MileagePlus Premier program to make achieving your status goals even easier.
Jumpstart your PQP balance: We're giving you a head start on your status goals to make retaining or upgrading status easier. In early 2023, we'll automatically deposit PQP into your MileagePlus account based on the 2023 Premier status you reached at the end of 2022. Eligible members will enjoy this head start toward status in 2024 as well.
Qualifying with award tickets: An exciting change we are making in 2023 is that when you use MileagePlus miles for award flights operated by United or United Express you will now earn Premier qualifying credits. Eligible award flights will help you achieve status with 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed, as well as 1 PQF per United or United Express flight.
Increased credit card PQP caps: For 2023, the maximum PQP able to be earned will double for the United Quest℠ card from 3,000 to 6,000 PQP and for the United Club℠ Infinite card from 4,000 to 8,000 PQP. Eligible United℠ MileagePlus Chase Cardmembers will continue to earn 500 PQP per $12,000 spent. The maximum number of PQP that can be earned on eligible card spend in a calendar year across multiple credit cards has increased from 5,000 PQP to 15,000 PQP, making it even easier to reach Premier status goals through card spend.*
Award ticket redeposit fee removal: All redeposit fees associated with canceling award travel have been removed so you have more choice and control over managing plans.
Earn more PlusPoints: United is the only U.S. global airline that allows you to earn unlimited extra upgrade points after reaching the highest published status level. Eligible members will enjoy earning incremental PlusPoints with 20 additional PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP earned beyond 18,000 PQP (starting at 21,000 PQP) once they have met the published Premier 1K requirements in 2023.
Updates to the 2023
MileagePlus Premier Program
For the past two years, we adjusted our MileagePlus® Premier® program requirements to reflect the frequency of travel during uncertain times. With travel now in full swing, our standard qualification requirements are returning. But we are giving you a boost and adding new qualifying activities to our 2023 MileagePlus Premier program to make achieving your status goals even easier.
Jumpstart your PQP balance: We're giving you a head start on your status goals to make retaining or upgrading status easier. In early 2023, we'll automatically deposit PQP into your MileagePlus account based on the 2023 Premier status you reached at the end of 2022. Eligible members will enjoy this head start toward status in 2024 as well.
Qualifying with award tickets: An exciting change we are making in 2023 is that when you use MileagePlus miles for award flights operated by United or United Express you will now earn Premier qualifying credits. Eligible award flights will help you achieve status with 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed, as well as 1 PQF per United or United Express flight.
Increased credit card PQP caps: For 2023, the maximum PQP able to be earned will double for the United Quest℠ card from 3,000 to 6,000 PQP and for the United Club℠ Infinite card from 4,000 to 8,000 PQP. Eligible United℠ MileagePlus Chase Cardmembers will continue to earn 500 PQP per $12,000 spent. The maximum number of PQP that can be earned on eligible card spend in a calendar year across multiple credit cards has increased from 5,000 PQP to 15,000 PQP, making it even easier to reach Premier status goals through card spend.*
Award ticket redeposit fee removal: All redeposit fees associated with canceling award travel have been removed so you have more choice and control over managing plans.
Earn more PlusPoints: United is the only U.S. global airline that allows you to earn unlimited extra upgrade points after reaching the highest published status level. Eligible members will enjoy earning incremental PlusPoints with 20 additional PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP earned beyond 18,000 PQP (starting at 21,000 PQP) once they have met the published Premier 1K requirements in 2023.
Earning UA MileagePlus Status in 2023 for 2024
Nov 9, 2022, 3:17 am
#196
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Silver, UA 1K, DL Platinum
Posts: 696
I think they feel confident they’ve learned how to target promotions, at least eg from Fly to the Finish, so why not go in high and adjust later if recessionary pressures bite. They’ve got a decent network, hard product and schedule so it’s now or never.
They do t charge insane YQ on awards so that is still a very positive outlook. As well as industry cutbacks my particular company is unperforming so I’ll now be Executive Elite Diamond with the Home program only. To be fair, the lie flat beds are pretty good and guaranteed.
They do t charge insane YQ on awards so that is still a very positive outlook. As well as industry cutbacks my particular company is unperforming so I’ll now be Executive Elite Diamond with the Home program only. To be fair, the lie flat beds are pretty good and guaranteed.
Nov 9, 2022, 5:12 am
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,087
SDC is a major one. Lounge access on intl. itineraries. SAG on *A carriers.
Nov 9, 2022, 6:02 am
#198
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 844
Question I haven’t seen specifically addressed in either UA’s announcement or discussion in this thread:
Award tickets now earn PQPs, but what about mileage upgrades on a paid ticket? Will that just earn the PQP of the paid ticket, or will you also get 1% of the miles redeemed as PQP?
Award tickets now earn PQPs, but what about mileage upgrades on a paid ticket? Will that just earn the PQP of the paid ticket, or will you also get 1% of the miles redeemed as PQP?
Nov 9, 2022, 6:34 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,087
no new benefits? Earning PQF and PQM on award tickets? That's a pretty big change in my books! Looking at 2023 ,,,, 140k, 120k, 120k booked. 3800 PQD and 12 PQF more than 2022.
Nov 9, 2022, 7:07 am
#200
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
If United is creative, the initial deposits should allow passengers to choose either PQP or PQF, for example, 2.5 K PQP or 10 PQF for 1K flyers! This will make a lot of FTers happier.
Nov 9, 2022, 7:47 am
#201
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
Nov 9, 2022, 7:49 am
#202
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I'm guessing they will probably run a bonus PQP for CC spend promo at some point in '23 as well like they did in '22, although likely targeted. Bonus PQP Promo for MP Chase Cardholders - Q2 2022 -- targeted & variable bonus
Nov 9, 2022, 8:27 am
#203
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I use typically between 800-1200 a year - this will really really keep me from upgrades quite a bit....
Nov 9, 2022, 8:38 am
#205
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BWI
Programs: UA 1MM & 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 255
Or bring back the segment bonuses based on class of service / fare class... Or bring back mileage as an alternative to PQF. (54 PQF or 100K BIS miles) and (15K PQP)
Nov 9, 2022, 8:40 am
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
I think UA wants people to spend money on UA. I think the money and segments hurdles are not aimed at hub fliers but a direct lure/reward for non-hub fliers who 1) have to make connections and 2) have a choice of airlines. UA is NOT forcing anyone to make a connection or incorporate extra segments. That’s the traveler’s choice.
Nov 9, 2022, 8:41 am
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
I’m not sure the thresholds should be much of a surprise. Everyone seems to be going back to pre-pandemic thresholds, and these are the same that UA announced for qualification during 2020. Except with inflation, probably easier to hit that back then for most (assuming travel about the same, of course).
the elimination of award redeposit fees is nice, but not really a ‘change’ since you can essentially do that today. The CC PQP max changing won’t affect me, since I’ll never spend enough to hit the current max anyway. But the PQP/F on award tickets is nice - will definitely get me thinking about using awards more often - gives more bang for your buck (or mile…), and also helps hit those thresholds. I do suspect that given the awards (on UA metal) earn PQF, they’ll probably also count toward the min. 4 UA segments a year?That typically hasn’t been an issue for us, but this year it was coming down to the wire. I’m on flight 4 currently, but it’ll be Dec. 10 for my wife - with everything so screwy with this year, we’ve flown more AC segments this year. But might have booked that Dec. trip with mileage if that applied this year.
the elimination of award redeposit fees is nice, but not really a ‘change’ since you can essentially do that today. The CC PQP max changing won’t affect me, since I’ll never spend enough to hit the current max anyway. But the PQP/F on award tickets is nice - will definitely get me thinking about using awards more often - gives more bang for your buck (or mile…), and also helps hit those thresholds. I do suspect that given the awards (on UA metal) earn PQF, they’ll probably also count toward the min. 4 UA segments a year?That typically hasn’t been an issue for us, but this year it was coming down to the wire. I’m on flight 4 currently, but it’ll be Dec. 10 for my wife - with everything so screwy with this year, we’ve flown more AC segments this year. But might have booked that Dec. trip with mileage if that applied this year.
Nov 9, 2022, 8:44 am
#208
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: United 1K, Frontier 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond/ Ambassador/ Milestoner
Posts: 569
I have no prayer of making 1K again, but I am suddenly feeling so free and unburdened. No more segment runs. No more extra connections. No more Air Canada. No more unnecessary credit card spend. No more pure cash Accelerate purchases. No more hours and hours of searching for Plus Points upgrades.
Nov 9, 2022, 8:51 am
#209
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
The main benefit to status (that you can't get with a credit card) is the upgrades. I doubt any of these changes matter much in that area even if you have more or less people at the top. UA can easily change around inventory and upgrade offers to reduce the number of seats they "give away". None of that information is ever published ofcourse.
Nov 9, 2022, 9:03 am
#210
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
I think UA wants people to spend money on UA. I think the money and segments hurdles are not aimed at hub fliers but a direct lure/reward for non-hub fliers who 1) have to make connections and 2) have a choice of airlines. UA is NOT forcing anyone to make a connection or incorporate extra segments. That’s the traveler’s choice.