United Airlines announced significant changes to its MileagePlus frequent flyer program, effective January 1, 2027. The airline will no longer allow members to earn elite status based on the number of flight segments flown, shifting the focus solely to Premier qualifying points (PQP) earned through eligible spending.
For instance, to qualify for the lowest elite tier, Premier Silver, members must now reach a threshold of 6,000 PQP, eliminating the previous option of combining flight segments and points. Additionally, the requirement for the top tier, Premier 1K, will increase from 28,000 to 32,000 PQP.
United's President of MileagePlus, Jarad Fisher, described the flight segments metric as outdated, emphasizing a more streamlined approach to status qualification.
This change aligns with broader industry trends, as United has previously adjusted its mileage earning structure and reduced earnings for basic economy fares, similar to actions taken by competitors American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The new policy aims to simplify the status earning process while also rewarding United cardholders with a 5% head start on points needed for their previous year's status level