How to Get Elite Status on United Airlines

Different airlines have unique rules for how to get elite status. United Airlines has a frequent flyer elite program called MileagePlus Premier® that offers a range of elite status levels and benefits. You can use elite status on United Airlines to get a range of benefits, like free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, and discount memberships for United Club℠ lounge access.

One advantage of the United Airlines elite status program is flexibility. United offers multiple ways to earn elite status -- by flying, or by spending money on a United Airlines credit card. Unlike some other airlines, United Airlines also lets frequent flyers earn elite status by using MileagePlus® award tickets and upgrades. One positive change for 2024 is that United is also making it easier to earn elite status from everyday spending on United Airlines Chase credit cards.

Let's take a look at how to get elite status on United Airlines.

United Airlines MileagePlus Premier®: How to earn elite status at each level

United Airlines offers a few tiers of elite status, depending on how much you fly and spend. Here's what it takes to get to each level of MileagePlus Premier® status:

• MileagePlus Premier Silver: 12 Premier qualifying flights (PQFs) and 4,000 PQPs (Premier qualifying points); or 5,000 PQPs
• MileagePlus Premier Gold: 24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs; or 10,000 PQPs
• MileagePlus Premier Platinum: 36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs; or 15,000 PQPs
• MileagePlus Premier 1K: 54 PQFs and 18,000 PQPs; or 24,000 PQPs

United counts one Premier qualifying flight as one flight segment that includes a takeoff and landing. So if you fly from Chicago to San Diego with a connection in Denver, your entire flight itinerary will count as two (2) PQFs -- or four (4) PQFs roundtrip. To get elite status with United, you must fly at least four paid flight segments per calendar year on United Airlines or its regional partner United Express®.

PQPs: How to earn points to get elite status on United Airlines

Along with taking Premier qualifying flights, you can spend your way to elite status on United Airlines. United offers a few ways to earn Premier qualifying points (PQPs) by purchasing United flights and seat upgrades, or by everyday spending on a United Airlines credit card.

Here are a few ways to earn points to get elite status on United:

• Buying airline tickets: You'll earn 1 PQP for every $1 you spend on flights (including base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges) on United, United Express, Star Alliance partner airlines, and a few other airline partners. For example, if you spend $1,000 on a qualifying United Airlines ticket, you'll get 1,000 PQPs.
• Paid upgrades and preferred seat purchases: For example, if you decide to pay extra to upgrade to Economy Plus® or business class, that money counts toward your PQPs. (This offer is valid only on United and United Express flights.)
• MileagePlus Upgrade Awards and award flights operated by United and United Express: This is a nice benefit, because not all airlines let you get elite status by using frequent flyer miles or award flights.
• Everyday spending on United credit cards: You can earn extra PQPs from spending on certain United cobranded travel rewards credit cards. For example, the United℠ Explorer Card lets you earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 you spend on the card, up to 1,000 PQPs per year.

Example calculation: How to get elite status on United Airlines

Let's say you're starting as a new member of MileagePlus®, and you want to get elite status on United. How can you do it? Here's an example:

Take three roundtrip flights per year, with one connection each way. This gives you four Premier qualifying flights per roundtrip, for a total of 12 Premier qualifying flights (PQFs). Let's assume each flight has an average price of $1,000, for a total of $3,000 spent on PQFs. That gives you 3,000 Premier qualifying points (PQPs).

So now, you still need 1,000 Premier qualifying points. You can earn those extra points with a United credit card. If you spend $24,000 in a year ($2,000 per month) on a United℠ Explorer Card, you'll earn 1,000 PQPs (500 PQPs per $12,000 spent). Now you've got 12 qualifying flights and 4,000 PQPs, and you're qualified for MileagePlus Premier Silver elite status!

Bottom line: This is just one example of how to get elite status on United Airlines. The more you fly, the easier it gets. If you're already flying on United often, it might be worth signing up for a United Airlines credit card to get bonus miles and Premier qualifying points. And if you want an elevated customer experience with benefits like discount lounge access and complimentary upgrades, it might be worth planning ahead so you can earn elite status on MileagePlus Premier®.