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.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.