United now selling Premium Plus on select domestic flights
Bad news, United elites: The jig is up. As of Wednesday, October 2, United's domestic Premium Plus seats will be sold as a separate cabin on flights between Newark and Los Angeles and San Francisco — it'll no longer be possible for elites to assign these seats for free — meaning you'll actually need to purchase a Premium Plus fare (in the O, ON, A, R, RN fare classes) in order to sit there. Meanwhile, if you've already assigned yourself a Premium Plus seat for flights after Wednesday, you've likely been moved to Economy Plus.
Fares appear to start at $413 each way, though they're priced relative to the lowest economy fare: If economy is more expensive on any given flight, Premium Plus will be, too. The good news is that with this launch, customers will earn additional elite-qualifying credits, accruing Premier Qualifying Miles (PQMs) and Premier Qualifying Segments (PQSs) at a 150% rate. Additionally, customers in a paid Premium Plus fare class have the highest priority for upgrades.
On board, Premium Plus customers will find a seat that's similar to what you'll get in domestic first class — essentially a larger recliner, with an HD seat-back entertainment system — but with service that's more aligned with what United offers in economy. Premium Plus passengers will also get a complimentary meal, though it's not yet clear whether this will be identical to business class or what's typically available to transcon Economy Plus flyers.
Naturally, as is typical for Premium Plus fares in the international market, redemption rates are bonkers. For example, the lowest awards I'm seeing are priced at 40,000 miles each way, compared with 12,500 miles for economy.
Meanwhile, you can book limited saver lie-flat business awards for 35,000 miles each way — in some cases, even on the same day! (Uhh, definitely do that, instead.)
Considering Everyday Awards in business class are available for 50,000 miles on almost every day of the year, I'd definitely spend the extra 10k miles for United's true Polaris seat, which you'll find on all flights operated by the 787-10. So, unless the fare is exceptional, or United reduces redemption rates, I'd generally avoid Premium Plus for now.
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Annual Fee
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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
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- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
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- 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
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- 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