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 8, 2022, 11:15 am
#106
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 520
how many award miles would be required for Silver?
Nov 8, 2022, 11:16 am
#107
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
Nov 8, 2022, 11:17 am
#108
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I am a 1K who will not requalify in 2023 on miles flown in 2022. (in fact, if dependent on miles flow in 2022 I would be Gold). However I am a 2 (almost 3) million miler and so will retain Platinum status.
Will my PQP starter gift next year be based on the number of miles I have flown in 2022 or on the status I will earn through MM status?
Thanks
Lurker
Will my PQP starter gift next year be based on the number of miles I have flown in 2022 or on the status I will earn through MM status?
Thanks
Lurker
Nov 8, 2022, 11:18 am
#109
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Nov 8, 2022, 11:18 am
#110
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
Edit to clarify since current membership year is ambiguous depending how you classify end, current vs previous year and the difference between qualifying year and the length membership lasts for.. It's whatever your status is on Feb 1st that will determine what gets deposited..
Last edited by Lux Flyer; Nov 8, 2022 at 11:28 am
Nov 8, 2022, 11:20 am
#112
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
After the last few weeks of travel I welcome this change. Premier levels are off the charts. As a 1K, albeit on a rather cheap fare, I'm consistently #10 on lists of 60+. If this helps thin the numbers, especially at 1K then I'm game. I kinda like the idea you learn PQP for redeeming miles because it incentivizes folks to utilize their miles.
Nov 8, 2022, 11:26 am
#114
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
I wonder if there is an opportunity to “buy” 1K cheaper through buying a large amount of miles at a discount during promotional offers then redeeming those miles for expensive award seats.
Nov 8, 2022, 11:32 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
After the last few weeks of travel I welcome this change. Premier levels are off the charts. As a 1K, albeit on a rather cheap fare, I'm consistently #10 on lists of 60+. If this helps thin the numbers, especially at 1K then I'm game. I kinda like the idea you learn PQP for redeeming miles because it incentivizes folks to utilize their miles.
United is selling the F seats. They're not going to other upgraders. If you are consistently #1 on the list, then you might have something to gain. If you're consistently #10… UA doesn't fly big enough F cabins to help you.
Nov 8, 2022, 11:34 am
#116
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
For reference points: they allow transfer of miles for $15/1000 miles, and the current "sale" (100% bonus of purchases 40k miles+; so effectively 50% off) gives me at best an offer of $18.81 per 1k miles (~$3300 for 175k miles)
Nov 8, 2022, 11:38 am
#117
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Nov 8, 2022, 11:47 am
#118
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,911
I stopped spending on the Explorer after $24k earlier this year and am trying to hit 30k on my AA MileUp. I can't spend the excess miles on award tickets because I need to reach PQP/PQF by buying and flying tickets. Now UA solves both problems "for" me.
Nov 8, 2022, 12:18 pm
#120
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
Would need to be a pretty aggressive promotion at less than $10/1000 miles, to get the 2.4m miles required for less than $24k.
For reference points: they allow transfer of miles for $15/1000 miles, and the current "sale" (100% bonus of purchases 40k miles+; so effectively 50% off) gives me at best an offer of $18.81 per 1k miles (~$3300 for 175k miles)
For reference points: they allow transfer of miles for $15/1000 miles, and the current "sale" (100% bonus of purchases 40k miles+; so effectively 50% off) gives me at best an offer of $18.81 per 1k miles (~$3300 for 175k miles)
In the end, 1K upgrade rates will still leave me in the back anyway, so when I distill the difference in actual experience for me between Lifetime 1MM Gold and 1K, especially with no more award ticket fees, I am basically losing:
1. snack boxes in coach when not upgraded - at least until Kirby takes that away
2. boarding before Group 1
3. 1K phone line and customer service desk
In the end, I can just call my UA Executive Desk for agencies to get priority handling to fix my IRROP issues, so that loss is a wash, and the 1K customer service desk has not really delivered a great track record of service recovery given the posts here about them, so other than bragging rights, I'm honestly scratching my head about what tangible benefit 1K is really delivering for me - or frankly for anyone else in similar circumstances.