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United Airlines is again giving bonus PQPs out to its elites

Ethan Klapper
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Ethan Klapper is a senior aviation reporter at TPG who focuses on the operational side of the airline industry.
Feb. 10, 2022
•
3 min read
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."

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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.

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

Elite tierStandard requirements2021 and 2022 requirements
Silver4,000 PQP/12 PQF or 5,000 PQP3,000 PQP/8 PQF or 3,500 PQP
Gold8,000 PQP/24 PQF or 10,000 PQP6,000 PQP/16 PQF or 7,000 PQP
Platinum12,000 PQP/36 PQF or 15,000 PQP9,000 PQP/24 PQF or 10,000 PQP
Premier 1K18,000 PQP/54 PQF or 24,000 PQP13,500 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 Anadolu Agency via 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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