Starting in January 2014, Premier® qualification requirements will include a minimum annual spending level. We will
track qualifying spending with Premier qualifying dollars (PQD): dollars spent on most United® tickets, including
partner flights and Economy Plus® purchases. The changes do not affect Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or Premier qualifying segments (PQS).
These changes apply to 2014 qualifying activity for status through 2015 and do not affect your 2013 qualifying activity for 2014 status. The PQD requirement is only applicable to members who live in the 50 U.S. states.
A minimum of 4 paid segments on United, United Express or Copa Airlines is needed for any Premier level.
For 2014, the PQD requirement for Premier Silver, Premier Gold and Premier Platinum qualification will be waived for members who spend at least $25,000 in Net Purchases using a MileagePlus® Chase co-branded credit card issued in the U.S. There is no PQD waiver for Premier 1K® qualification.
Just as with Premier qualifying miles (PQM) and Premier qualifying segments (PQS), we will credit the account of the member who travels, not the member who purchases the ticket.
The following spending counts toward the PQD requirement:
Base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Flights flown by United, United Express, or Copa Airlines
Flights operated by a Star Alliance® or a MileagePlus partner airline and issued on a United ticket (ticket number starting with 016)
Economy Plus purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing for Premier qualification in 2014?
Starting in January 2014, Premier qualification requirements will include a minimum annual spending level. We will track this qualifying spending with Premier qualifying dollars (PQD): dollars spent on most United tickets, including partner flights, and Economy Plus purchases. These changes do not affect Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or Premier qualifying segments (PQS).
A minimum of four paid segments on United, United Express or Copa Airlines is needed for any Premier level.
For 2014, the PQD requirement for Premier Silver, Premier Gold and Premier Platinum qualification will be waived for members whose address with MileagePlus is within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and who spend at least $25,000 in Net Purchases in 2014 on a MileagePlus co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A. There is no PQD waiver for Premier 1K qualification.
Premier qualification is based on the calendar year (January 1 - December 31).
This change will apply to members whose address with MileagePlus is within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
How do I earn Premier qualifying dollars (PQD)?
You will earn Premier qualifying dollars (PQD) on most:
Flights operated by United, United Express, or Copa Airlines
Flights operated by a Star Alliance or a MileagePlus partner airline and issued on a United ticket (ticket number starting with 016)
Economy Plus purchases
You earn PQD for the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on qualifying tickets. Certain specialty tickets, including but not limited to unpublished, consolidator, group/tour, and opaque fares do not earn PQD. Just as with Premier qualifying miles (PQM) and Premier qualifying segments (PQS), we will credit the account of the member who travels, not the member who purchases the ticket.
Will this affect my 2013 qualifying activity?
No. These changes apply to 2014 qualifying activity for status through 2015 and do not affect your 2013 qualifying activity for 2014 status.
How will I know how many Premier qualify dollars (PQD) I’ve earned?
We will provide you with more information going forward on the 2014 program, including details on how you can track your Premier qualifying dollars (PQD).
Does spend on my MileagePlus co-branded credit card count towards the Premier qualifying dollars (PQD) qualification?
No. Card spend does not count toward the Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQD) requirement. However, for 2014, the PQD requirement is waived for Premier Silver, Premier Gold, and Premier Platinum qualification for members whose address with MileagePlus is within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and who spend at least $25,000 in Net Purchases in 2014 on a MileagePlus co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A. There is no PQD waiver for Premier 1K qualification.
