United Airlines is again giving bonus PQPs out to its elites
Editor's Note
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:
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.
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:
| Elite tier | Standard requirements | 2021 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.