United elites: It's the last day to make your bonus selection
At the end of April, United Airlines detailed its three latest bonus promotions, giving current elite members an opportunity to earn extra redeemable miles, or to close the gap on 2021 status.
The airline's latest promo, called "Pick Your Path," lets current elites choose between up to 3,750 bonus Premier Qualifying Points, or PQPs, an "Easy PQP" deposit of up to 1,500 points or double miles with MileagePlus X, for up to 10,000 bonus miles in total.
You'll need to finalize your selection right here by 11:59 p.m. Central Time tonight, May 13 — if you don't make your pick by then, you'll automatically be registered for the "Welcome-back bonus," giving you an opportunity to earn the greatest number of PQPs, assuming you fly between now and July 27, 2021.
If you have plans to fly within that timeframe, the "Welcome-back bonus" is the option I'd pick. If a current Premier 1K member selects that offer and takes three trips by July 27, they'll end up with 3,750 bonus PQPs, in addition to the 3,750 they received at the beginning of the year — halfway to the reduced 2021 requirement, without factoring in any PQPs earned from flying.
According to the head of United's MileagePlus program, Luc Bondar, there are more promotions on the way — if you're a current elite member, there's a chance that requalifying in 2021 may not require much effort at all.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.