United has announced changes to the MileagePlus Program. The changes fall into three categories: benefits, premier status qualification, upgrades. All changes are effective immediate unless otherwise noted.
Elite Qualification
- Effective January 1, 2019, the Premier® qualifying dollars (PQD) requirement for Premier 1K® status will be raised from $12,000 to $15,000.
- P‑class fares with a travel date on or after January 1, 2019, will change from earning 200% PQM to 150% PQM. P‑class fares are a type of discounted premium cabin fare.
Benefits
Baggage:
- All elite members will now receive the same baggage allowance 70Â lbs. (32Â kg)
- All Premier members flying in United Business®, United First®, or United Polaris® business class are allowed up to three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
- Premier Gold members flying in United Economy® between the U.S. and Europe are allowed three bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. (32 kg) per bag.
- Premier Silver members flying in United Economy between the U.S. and Europe are allowed two bags with a maximum weight of 70Â lbs. (32Â kg) per bag.
Previously silver members received 50lbs on domestic flights.
Boarding groups:
- Premier 1K® will be called during pre-boarding
- Premier Gold members now board in Group 1
Upgrades
- Effective for the 2019 program year, we’re changing the way you earn upgrades that are in addition to the upgrades you earn with Premier® 1K® status. For every 25,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 30 Premier qualifying segments (PQS) after you qualify for Premier 1K status, we’ll add one Global Premier Upgrade into your account. We will no longer offer additional Regional Premier Upgrades for flight activity after qualifying for Premier 1K status.
Our Verdict
Big change is the qualification requirements. PQD is being increased from $12,000 to $15,000 and at the same time p-class (discount premium cabins) are having their PQM rates reduced. I’ve been of the belief that chasing status hasn’t been worth doing for a long time, so these changes won’t really affect me personally. Although that’s also partly because I’m not flying as much for business as I once was. What are your thoughts on these changes?
Hat tip to ejliu
As a data point, my P fares for 2019 tickets that I purchased two weeks ago was showing the 150% PQM earning rate. I called UA and they said for tickets purchased prior to 28-Sep-18 they would honor 200% PQM. The agent noted my tickets accordingly but told me to call in after the flights if they are not credited correctly.
Glad to work for a Big 4 where I don’t have to chase status… If I happen to be traveling for a particular client or project then I just pick whichever airline gives me a fast track to status…. and they always offer them because they are blowing us to choose them as our dedicated flight source.
” I’ve been of the belief that chasing status hasn’t been worth doing for a long time, so these changes won’t really affect me personally. ”
Just more confirmation of that- no reason to chase status unless you’re maybe on the edge. I hit explat on American a few years ago just flying the cheapest coach on them and partners. With 8 systemwide upgrades awarded it meant I could upgrade to business just about every international flight I took and have a very good shot at domestic upgrades to first as well, with a ton of 500 mile coupons sitting around to upgrade companions. And access to first class one world lounges when abroad. A great reason to keep flying on AA, right?
Fast forward to today and all that’s been gutted. I wouldn’t clear minimum spend thresholds and even if I could, basic economy flights have reduced elite qualifying miles. Even then explat only hands out 4 system-wide upgrades. And given the “rolling EQD” criteria the bigger spending Explats would outrank me for upgrades anyways.
Airlines just want to award those who are spending the most on them anyways. Probably rightly so, but that doesn’t stop status chasing from being not-worth-it. “Pay for first and business with us a lot and.we’ll give you those premium ticket benefits in some ways when you buy less premium tickets!” is a much different proposition than “Choose us to get from point A to B enough and you’ll be flying first class”.
Yep, your description of your relationship with American reminds me of my own relationship with United from 2009 to 2012 when I was a high mileage business traveler. The more I flew across the Atlantic, or from east to west coast of the US, the easier the upgrades became, along with access to Star Alliance lounges at European airports. I’ve been retired for five years, so all that is now a distant memory, but it looks like today’s rules preclude others from following in my footsteps.
United continues it’s downward spiral(no pun intended).
As long as they don’t count the full amount payed for ticket (i.e including the tax/fuel surcharge), PQD remains a load of BS requirement.. PQD should be removed all together.
UA doesnt have fuel surcharges
Looks like it’s the right time to start a new airline that caters to frequent flyers!
UA is the best airline to redeem miles on already