United Makes Changes To Elite Baggage, Upgrades & Premier 1K Status Qualification

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 70 lbs. (32 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 70 lbs. (32 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