An email landed in my inbox this afternoon announcing updates to United MileagePlus qualifying thresholds. The airline is framing these changes as a positive update but, as always, there are some negative changes here as well.
Starting in 2025, MileagePlus elite qualifying thresholds will increase significantly. These changes represent a 20-25% jump from the 2024 qualification thresholds. To requalify for status in 2026, travelers will need to hit the following thresholds between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
| Premier Status | PQP and PQF | PQP Only |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | 5,000 PQP + 15 PQF | 6,000 PQP |
| Premier Gold | 10,000 PQP + 30 PQF | 12,000 PQP |
| Premier Platinum | 15,000 PQP + 45 PQF | 18,000 PQP |
| Premier 1K | 22,000 PQP + 60 PQF | 28,000 PQP |
As in years past, passengers who requalified for status during the 2024 calendar year will receive a PQP boost, or a head start of sorts, for the 2025 qualification year. These bonuses will be paid out ad of February 1st in the following increments:
- Premier Silver: 300 PQP
- Premier Gold: 600 PQP
- Premier Platinum: 900 PQP
- Premier 1K: 1,400 PQP
While these changes may seem extreme, United hasn’t raised its qualification thresholds in years. As a lowly Premier Gold, I’ve been upgraded once on my more than 50 flights with the carrier over the last two years. This tells me that the elite ranks have swelled dramatically over the last 5 years.
While the increased spend for each status tier has increased significantly, it’s not all bad news for United frequent flyers. beginning in mid-2025, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members will have more options when redeeming PlusPoints. In addition to using PlusPoints for premium seat and cabin upgrades, there will be new perks that include:
- Premier Qualifying points (PQP) or Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF)
- TravelBank Cash
- Bonus Miles
- Gifting Premier status to other MileagePlus members
There haven’t been many details released at this time but, the airline states that more information will be released in 2025.
Finally, United is making updates to earnings via its co-branded credit cards. For Chase cardmembers, PQP earn frequency will increase to 1 PQP earned per $20 spent on eligible cards. This excludes the United Club Infinite Card and United Club Business Card which will increase to 1 PQP earned per $15 spent.
PQP caps from credit card spending will also be extended as part of the new thresholds. For 2025, the amount of PQPs earned via card spend is increasing depending on your status tier.
- United Club Infinite Card cap increasing from 10,000 PQP to 15,000 PQP
- United Club Business Card cap increasing from 10,000 PQP to 15,000 PQP
- United Quest Card cap increasing from 6,000 PQP to 9,000 PQP
For cardmembers holding the First Hawaiian Bank United and First Hawaiian Bank United World Elite Business cards, PQP earn frequency will increase to 1 PQP earned per $20 spent up to 1,000 PQP for the year.
Summary
United Airlines has made changes to its MileagePlus qualification thresholds. While the increases are steep, these updates appear to bring them closer to an airline like Delta that has made dramatic changes to its earning structure. For me personally, I’ve gotten off the status hamster wheel and instead choose to book my preferred class of service on each of my flights.