Challenges Ahead for United Airlines Customers in 2025
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As we approach 2025, travelers aiming to achieve elite status with United Airlines will encounter heightened requirements. The airline has announced significant modifications to its Premier program that will make qualifying more demanding.
New Qualification Criteria for Elite Status
The process of earning elite status remains fundamentally unchanged; passengers must still gather a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), or alternatively meet an elevated PQP threshold based on spending with United and its partners. However, the new criteria across all tiers are as follows:
- Silver: 5,000 PQPs and 15 PQFs or 6,000 PQPs (previously required: 4,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs or 5,000 PQPs)
- Gold: 10,000 PQPs and 30 PQFs or 12,000 PQPs (previously required: 8,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs or 10,000 PQPs)
- Platinum: 15,000 PQPs and 45 PQFs or 18,000 PQPs (previously required:12,000PQPsand36PQF sor15 ,00QP s)
- 1K:22 ,00QP s a nd60 P QF sor28 ,00QP s(previouslyrequired :18 ,00QP sand54 P QF sor24 ,00QP s)
The stipulation requiring members to complete at least four segments with United or United Express remains unchanged. Achieving these benchmarks within the calendar year of 2025 will secure your elite status through the end of that year as well as all of 2026.
PQPS Boost for Current Members
Ahead of the new qualifying year starting February 1st of 2025,U nited will provide current elite members with a head start by awarding additional points: Silver members will receive an extra 300 PQP; Gold members will gain an additional 600; Platinum members can expect an extra 900; while those in the top tier—1K—will be credited with an additional 1,400.
Cobranded Credit Cards Offer Enhanced Benefits
Cobranded credit cards can significantly aid travelers in accumulating their necessary points through everyday purchases. For instance,the United Club Infinite card along with Club Business cards offer one point per $15 spent while other United credit cards provide one point per $20 spent. Furthermore,the cap on maximum earned points via these cards is set to rise from10 ,00Q Ps t o15 ,0Q Ps f o rU nited Club InfiniteandClub Businesscards .TheUnited Questcard’s limit is also increasing from6 ,0Q Psto9 ,0Q Ps .
Additions to PlusPoints Program Enhance Value
The substantial adjustments are somewhat balanced by enhancements coming to U nited’s PlusPoints program available exclusively for top-tier Platinum and1 Kmembers .Starting mid-2025,U nited plans t o unveil more options f o r redeeming PlusPoints including bonusPQ PorP Q F,s TravelBank cash,miles that can be redeemed,and even gifting status t o fellow travelers.The specific number ofPlusPoints needed f o r each reward has yet t obe disclosed.
A Broader Industry Trend Towards Stricter Requirements
The trend towards increased difficulty in achieving airline loyalty status is not unique to U nited but reflects broader changes across the aviation industry since the pandemic began. For example,last year,D e lta Air Lines significantly raised its Medallion program requirements but later eased some standards following feedback from loyal customers.
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