United Airlines Increases Premier Status Requirements

United is upping the qualifying thresholds for its Premier status levels, making it harder for its frequent fliers to qualify starting next year.

United sets its status levels on a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). PQPs are based on how much travelers spend on flights, while PQFs are based on the number of flight segments taken.

Travelers can qualify either through a combination of PQPs and PQFs earnings or through PQPs alone with a higher threshold than what is required through the combination.

The requirements for all four levels are going up starting next year, for status starting in 2026. Here are the changes by level:

Silver Status:
New: Requires 5,000 PQPs and 15 PQFs, or 6,000 PQPs alone.
Old: Required 4,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs, or 5,000 PQPs alone.

Gold Status:
New: Requires 10,000 PQPs and 30 PQFs, or 12,000 PQPs alone.
Old: Required 8,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs, or 10,000 PQPs alone.

Platinum Status:
New: Requires 15,000 PQPs and 45 PQFs, or 18,000 PQPs alone.
Old: Required 12,000 PQPs and 36 PQFs, or 15,000 PQPs alone.

1K Status:
New: Requires 22,000 PQPs and 60 PQFs, or 28,000 PQPs alone.
Old: Required 18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs, or 24,000 PQPs alone.

What else is changing

United is also making some other changes to its Premier status program for next year.

First, members who hold 2025 Premier status by the end of 2024 will receive a PQP head start in early 2025. Premier Silver members will get 300 PQPs. Gold 600 PQPs, Platinum 900 PQPs, and 1K 1,400 PQPs.

Next, United will allow frequent flyers to use their PlusPoints, which Platinum and 1K members can earn based on status and then PQPs earned after reaching that status, can be used in different ways. Starting in mid-2025, PlusPoints can be redeemed for PQPs and PQFs, for TravelBank cash, bonus miles, and for gifting Premier status to other MileagePlus members.

Last, United is changing how points are earned via its partnership with Chase. Members usings the cobranded United-Chase cards can now earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent except for the United Club Infinite Card and United Club Business Card, which will earn 1 PQP per $15.