Don't panic: United confirms lifetime elites will receive PlusPoints in the coming weeks
If you're a lifetime Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, or Global Services member with United, you've flown 2+ million miles on paid United tickets over the years. In return, you've received lifetime elite status, which includes all the same benefits as if you'd earned the status tier outright, including an annual allotment of PlusPoints.
United's PlusPoints are the currency used for confirmed upgrades to United's premium cabins. Every year, those who requalify for Premier Platinum and Premier 1K elite levels are eligible to receive 40 and 280 PlusPoints, respectively, when requalifying for status. This means Premier 1K members earn 320 PlusPoints per year.
United lifetime status, also known as Million Miler status, is awarded to travelers after they fly at least one million miles on paid (non-award) United tickets. Lifetime miles are only eligible for accrual on United and United Express-operated flights. A mile flown is a mile towards lifetime status — regardless of cabin, so those who have Million Miler status have flown at least one million miles on United.
For such extraordinary customers to United, you are rewarded with status for life, for you and one companion. This means that regardless of your annual flight activity, your MileagePlus status will never fall below the tiers outlined below:
This year, however, lifetime status members haven't seen their annual PlusPoints allotment appear in their accounts. This was brought to our attention by TPG reader and lifetime United Premier Platinum member Neil Gafney, who wrote to TPG saying that the usual 40 PlusPoints haven't been added to his MileagePlus account. These usually appear in early January.
This was confirmed by two other United lifetime elites, and sparked discussion about United possibly ending the awarding of annual PlusPoints for lifetime members.
Fortunately, that's not the case. PlusPoints for lifetime Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Service members are not going away, as confirmed to TPG by United. United shares:
"United has not made any changes to the policy. We experienced a technical issue that has delayed the deposit of annual PlusPoints to our lifetime Premier Platinum, 1K and Global Services members. Members should see their annual PlusPoints added to their accounts within the next few weeks."
United also told TPG that it's aiming to have a fix "implemented by Feb. 1." However, given this is said to be a technical difficulty, it could take longer for the issue to be resolved, and for members to actually see these PlusPoints in their accounts.
TPG will continue to monitor and provide an update when this issue is resolved.
Feature photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
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| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
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- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month