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United Airlines makes it harder to get top-tier frequent flyer status
CNBC • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines will eliminate earning elite status through flight segments starting in 2027, requiring MileagePlus members to qualify solely based on Premier qualifying points (PQP) earned from spending and travel activity.
- The threshold for reaching Premier Silver status will now be 6,000 PQP only, removing the previous option of combining flight segments and points, while the points requirements for Premier Gold and Platinum remain unchanged.
- The top-tier Premier 1K status will become more difficult to achieve, increasing the PQP requirement from 28,000 to 32,000 in 2027.
- Members must still complete at least four United or United Express flights annually to qualify for any Premier status.
- United will grant cardholders with Premier status a 5% head start on points needed to requalify for their status level each new year, aiming to simplify and unify the qualification process.
