Introduction:

Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) are an essential factor in determining a United Airlines customer’s eligibility for their Premier loyalty program. The program offers various benefits such as complimentary upgrades, priority check-in, and boarding privileges. In this article, we will explore how United calculates PQP to help you better understand your progress towards achieving the Premier status.

Understanding PQP:

Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) are earned based on the amount of money spent on eligible United flights and partner airline flights. They differ from the previously used Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) and Premier Qualifying Segments (PQS), which were based on distance and flight segments. PQPs give more weightage to the monetary investments made by customers, providing a more refined and accurate measure of loyalty.

Calculating PQP on United Flights:

The calculation of PQP for United flights is straightforward:

1. Base Fare: 1 PQP is earned for every US dollar spent on base fares, excluding taxes and fees.

2. Economy Plus: Additional PQP is earned for Economy Plus purchases on eligible flights.

3. Preferred Seating: If you buy up to a preferred seat on a flight, these charges also earn PQPs.

Earning PQP through MileagePlus Partners:

United’s partnership with other airlines also enables customers to earn PQP based on their membership status and the ticket purchased. The calculation varies depending on the partner airline’s fare class and might include spending requirements.

Calculating PQP for Partner Flights:

1. Star Alliance partners: For bookings made with Star Alliance partners and other select airlines, earning rates differ based upon MileagePlus earning structures. You can refer to United’s partner earning page to view your potential PQP earnings.

2. MileagePlus credit card partners: Certain co-branded credit cards offer opportunities to earn PQPs based on card spending. Consult your credit card’s terms and conditions to understand how PQP earning works with your card.

Capped PQP Earnings:

United has set a limit for earning PQP through its MileagePlus program partners, capping earnings at 1,000 PQPs per year. For the co-branded credit cards, the cap varies between 500 to 3,000 PQP per year.

Conclusion:

Understanding how United calculates Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) is crucial for those looking to achieve a Premier membership status with United Airlines. By maximizing spending on eligible United and partner flights and making good use of co-branded credit cards, you stand an improved chance of ascending the Premier tiers and reaping the loyalty program’s benefits.