#United Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world with a fleet size of 777 aircraft, including 191 wide-body jets. Their frequent flyer program is known as MileagePlus and was introduced in 1981 just one short week after #AmericanAir unveiled its AAdvantage Program. Following the $3 billion merger of United and #continentalair in 2010, United was chosen as the surviving brand and MileagePlus was selected as the frequent flyer program for the combined airline. Members of Continental One Pass were automatically enrolled in the prevailing program two years later in 2012.
Miles are still the currency for the United Program and, like #SouthwestAir and #Delta, United miles no longer expire 18 months after they’re earned. Miles may be accrued in your account by flying United or #unitedexpress flights or by flying one of 37 #staralliance or affiliated global airlines. Hotel partners are extensive and include most major chains and members can earn miles with cruises, car rentals and other ground transportation providers. Be sure to include your MileagePlus number when making your reservation to avoid having to request missing mileage credit which must be done within one year of activity. This global carrier also maintains both shopping and vacation portals as well as a dining program through which miles may be added to your account.
United promises “an elevated travel experience” for its Premier status-level fliers. While that’s a debatable claim, the number of flights taken and the dollar value of the tickets you purchase are all that count towards your reaching Premier Status. These earnings are shown as Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). Beginning this year, United no longer counts the mileage distance you fly
which is rather ironic since the program is called MileagePlus. Regardless, they have eliminated the 25, 50, 75 and 100,000 mile threshold levels so Premier Qualifying Miles (PQMs) need no longer be tracked. Gary Leff, noted travel industry blogger, reported that United's Vice President of Loyalty Luc Bondar explained the change was made “to make the program much simpler and transparent for customers.” In a sense, he’s right as one qualifier’s been eliminated.
So, let’s break it down. In order to qualify for Premiere Status you need only track your flights flown (PQFs), and dollars spent (PQPs). Premiere Silver is the first level and is attained once you’ve reached 12 PQFs and spent $4,000 with the airline, thus earning 4,000 PQPs. You can also reach Silver status in the program once your account reaches 5,000 PQPs. As a Silver member, you’ll earn 7 miles for every dollar spent on United flights. You’ll also receive one free checked bag (up to 70 lbs.) for your flights as well as priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling. Premiere Silver members receive complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in, complimentary seat upgrades on day of departure and priority boarding with Group 2. The next level is Premier Gold and is awarded after earning 24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs. It can also be reached once 10,000 PQPs are posted to your account. Gold members earn 8 miles for each dollar they spend on United flights. They also receive 2 complimentary checked bags and access to Economy Plus seating at the time of booking, complimentary seat upgrades 48 hours before flight time and priority boarding with Group 1. Both Premiere Silver and Premiere Gold are given access to most sold-out flights with purchase of a Y-class ticket at least 24 hours before departure.
Premiere Platinum is the next highest echelon in the MileagePlus Program and is reserved for those who earn 36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs in a calendar year or just $15,000 in spend with the airline. These members earn 9 miles for every dollar spent on United flights and also receive up to 3 checked bags free of charge. In addition, their complimentary seat
upgrades will clear 72 hours before flight time and they’re given priority boarding with Group 1. Access to most sold-out flights is also given to Premiere Platinum members 2 hours before departure with the purchase of a Y-class ticket and they are eligible for an annual $50 discount on a United Club membership. Premiere Platinum members are awarded complimentary Star Alliance Gold status, as well as Gold status with #MarriottBonvoy and President’s Circle membership with #Hertz following registration.
Premiere 1K is the highest level in the program and is attained after 54 PQFs and 18,000 PQPs. If you spend $24,000 with the airline you will automatically be granted this sought-after status level. (Be advised however, that achieving automatic status by dollars spent at each of the 4 program levels will only be granted after flying at least 4 flights on either United or United Express in a calendar year.) Premiere 1K members earn 11 miles for each dollar they spend with United and also receive up to 3 checked bags without charge. They, along with Premiere Platinum members, are also given access to Economy Plus seating at time of booking for up to 8 traveling companions. 1K status holders get their complimentary seat upgrades cleared 96 hours before departure. (Again, be advised that all upgrades at all status levels are based upon availability.) Premiere 1K members are also permitted to pre-board their aircraft before any groups are called. Their access to most sold-out flights is given one and a half hours before flight with the purchase of either Y- or B-class tickets and they get a $100 annual discount on United Club memberships. They’re offered the same benefits in the Marriott Bonvoy and Hertz Programs as their Premiere Platinum counterparts. While discounted to a charge of $109 for other Premiere status holders, annual CLEAR membership fees are waived entirely for Premiere 1K members.
United has had a long-standing relationship with Chase for their affinity credit cards. There used to be 9 personal products from which to choose. While there’s now only 3, each offers a different suite of benefits. The United Explorer Card earns $2 per $1 spent on United purchases and at restaurants. Two miles are also earned per dollar spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel as opposed to a third party. One mile is earned on all other purchases per dollar spent. Complimentary upgrades on award tickets for Premier members are also made available to the primary cardholder. Chase is now offering 60,000 bonus miles after a $3,000 spend on purchases within the first 3 months from opening a United Explorer Card account. There’s no fee for the first year of card membership and $95 annually thereafter.
The United TravelBank card rewards account holders with TravelBank cash for every purchase and this cash (on a 1-to-1 basis) can be used towards the purchase of tickets on flights operated by United and United Express. Primary cardmembers will earn 2% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on airline tickets purchased from United and 1.5% back per dollar spent on all other purchases. Once approved, cardmembers will earn $150 in TravelBank cash after making purchases totaling $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. There is no annual fee for this credit card.
The final Chase offering is the United Club Card, granting access to their branded airport lounges as well as awarding $2 per $1 spent on United purchases. The first and second checked bags are free for the primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same itinerary and this card incurs no foreign transaction fees. Cardmembers are invited to enroll in Hertz' President's Circle tier and also rewarded with access to the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection featuring upgrades and other great benefits available at more than 900 luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Inside Access from Chase is yet another exclusive benefit along with United MileagePlus events. All this and other perks come with a hefty annual fee of $450 but Chase is currently offering 75,000 bonus miles after a $3,000 spend within the first 3 months of card membership.
Since November of last year, United no longer publishes an award chart. They’ve adopted a dynamic award pricing model similar to that of Delta Airlines mentioned in our "Reach for the Sky (Miles)" post. Some less poplar awards might be priced lower at any given point in time than formerly published in the award chart, but I believe most others will be higher. All awards are one-way (so you have to double the miles quoted for round-trip tickets) and are easily booked on United's website. Awards for premium classes of travel are way more “expensive” than those offered years ago but they have removed their close-in-fees so you won’t be charged the extra fee of up to $75 for booking last-minute award travel. The good news is that United flies extensively within North America and also offers flights to South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. With so many local and far-flung destinations to choose from, you can certainly plan a quick trip or a dream trip with this global airline. I’ve taken a number of premium-cabin award flights with them and if you’ve also turned in some United miles for vacation trips, I’d like to hear all about your own well-deserved award journeys.
Until next time…safe travels.
Mind still blown even with this "simplified" system ... Well done for working it all out!