United Airlines 2020 Elite Status Changes

United MileagePlus Has Announced 2020 Elite Status Changes, and they're not pretty, at least for many flyers. In a nutshell, the number of miles flown won't matter all; elite status will be earned by a combination of the number of flights (Premier Qualifying Flights, or PQF) and the amount spent (Premier Qualifying Points, or PQP).

2020 United MileagePlus Elite Qualifying Requirements

Currently, in 2019, these were the qualifying PQD (Premier Qualifying Dollars) and PQS (Premier Qualifying Segments) for each elite status tier:

Premier Silver: $3000 PQD + 30 PQS
Premier Gold: $6000 PQD + 60 PQS
Premier Platinum: $9000 PQD + 90 PQS
Premier 1K: $15,000 PQD + 120 PQS

As you can see, the amount spent (PQP) has increased by $3000 to qualify for Premier Platinum or IK status, when in conjunction with a certain number of flights (PQF), or by $6000 for Premier Platinum and by $9000 for 1K if qualifying on amount spent (PQP) alone.

Earning PQP with Star Alliance Partners

Currently, in 2019, PQD can only be earned on Star Alliance partners if the ticket is issued by United. In 2020, you're able to earn PQP, but only in the amount of 1/5 the number of miles flown for United's Preferred Partners, or 1/6 the number of miles flown for other MileagePlus partners. While better than nothing, this is very little.

Preferred Partners:

Air Canada
Air China
Air New Zealand
ANA
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Azul Brazilian
Brussels Airlines
Copa Airlines
Eurowings
Lufthansa
SWISS

MileagePlus Partners:

Aegean Airlines
Air Dolomiti
Air India
Asiana Airlines
Croatia Airlines
Edelweiss
EgyptAir
Ethiopian Airlines
EVA Air
Juneyao Air
LOT Polish
Olympic Air
SAS
Shenzhen Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
TAP Air Portugal
Thai Airways
Turkish Airlines

Other Ways to Earn PQP

PQP may also be earned for other United purchases such as paid upgrades, Economy Plus seating, preferred seating, and MileagePlus Upgrade Award copays.

Will United MileagePlus Chase Card Holders Still Receive a Waiver for the PQP Requirement?

Currently, elites who also hold a Chase United card can receive a full waiver on the PQD requirement by spending $25,000 on the card in the calendar year, and having the card also waives the 4-segment minimum needed to earn status. These benefits are no longer available effective January 1, 2020.

Instead, PQP earnings will be as follows:

The United Explorer Card, United Club Card, United Explorer Business Card, United Club Business Card, United MileagePlus Awards Card, United MileagePlus Card, and United MileagePlus Business Card earn 500 PQP per $12,000 in spending on the card, up to a maximum of 1000 PQP in a calendar year, that can be applied up to Platinum elite status.
The United MileagePlus Select Card and United MileagePlus Platinum Class Visa Card earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 in spend, up to 3000 PQP in a calendar year, that can be applied up to 1K elite status.
The United Presidential Plus Card and United Presidential Plus Business Card earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 in spend, up to 10,000 PQP in a calendar year, that can be applied up to 1K elite status.

FAQ

Are PQP Earned on Taxes?

No, PQP from flight spend is only awarded on the base fare and carrier imposed surcharges.

Is Anything Changing in Terms of Earning Award Miles (Not Elite Status)?

No, earning MileagePlus miles for purposes of award flights is not changing. All MileagePlus members will continue to earn MileagePlus miles for United tickets in the amount of 5X the fare, and elites continue to earn a higher multiple based on their elite status:

Premier Silver: 7X fare
Premier Gold: 8X fare
Premier Platinum: 9X fare
Premier 1K: 11X fare

For MileagePlus earning on Star Alliance partners, click on the relevant Star Alliance partner on the United MileagePlus Airline Partners page.

Is Anything Changing in Terms of Earning Million Miler Status?

No, nothing is changing for Million Miler status qualification, which is still based on the actual distance flown.