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United Airlines is again giving bonus PQPs out to its elites

Feb. 10, 2022
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3 min read
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United Airlines is again giving bonus PQPs out to its elites
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Editor's Note

This story has been updated with new information.

UPDATE: In a statement to TPG, United confirmed the bonus PQP postings:



United is showing love to its most loyal customers just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Tomorrow, United will notify MileagePlus Premier members of a surprise deposit of extra Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) to their accounts to help jump start earning towards their 2023 Premier status goals. Since United extended the lowered Premier qualification thresholds offered at all levels last year, the personalized deposit gifts members 15% -20% of what they need to requalify for status through 2023.

The email hit inboxes around 12:20 p.m. ET on Friday:

(Screenshot courtesy of United Airlines)

ORIGINAL STORY: United Airlines is once again making it easier to requalify for MileagePlus Premier status.

In its first round of bonuses for 2022, premier qualifying points (PQP) began posting to MileagePlus accounts on Thursday morning as "earner starter PQP."

Several TPG writers and others noticed varying amounts of PQPs posted based on their level of status. Premier 1Ks appear to be receiving as much as 3,000 PQPs, Premier Platinums appear to be receiving 2,000 PQPs, Premier Golds are getting 1,400 PQPs, with Premier Silvers earning 700 PQPs. Some have reported getting fewer PQPs than others, especially those who requalified for status through United's year-end "flight to the finish" promotion.

(Screenshot courtesy of United Airlines)

Throughout the pandemic, United has repeatedly made it easier for its elites to earn status, both by significantly reducing the qualifying thresholds and by granting bonus PQPs, which United did multiple times in 2021.

For this promotion, United confirmed that deposit amounts will depend on whether a member qualified through the annual requirements or got a shortcut through United's fourth-quarter promo, "Fly to the Finish." For instance, 1Ks who requalified through the promotion reported receiving 2,250 PQPs instead of 3,000.

United's Premier qualifying requirements for 2022 are the same as in 2021:

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Elite tierStandard requirements2021 and 2022 requirements
Silver
4,000 PQP/12 PQF or 5,000 PQP
3,000 PQP/8 PQF or 3,500 PQP
Gold
8,000 PQP/24 PQF or 10,000 PQP
6,000 PQP/16 PQF or 7,000 PQP
Platinum
12,000 PQP/36 PQF or 15,000 PQP
9,000 PQP/24 PQF or 10,000 PQP
Premier 1K
18,000 PQP/54 PQF or 24,000 PQP
13,500 PQP/36 PQF or 15,000 PQP

More: What is United Airlines elite status worth?

With business travel still yet to fully rebound and the omicron variant giving travel a slow start this year, it's not particularly surprising that United is continuing its strategy of handing out re-qualification shortcuts to its most loyal travelers.

Additional reporting by Zach Griff.

Featured image by TAYFUN COSKUN/ANADOLU AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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