United’s missing a big opportunity to drum up more business in 2020
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
When United extended elite status for another year, I called it great news for the carrier’s Premier members. UA’s announcement was quite generous across the board, both by extending current status and making it easier to earn new or requalifying status in 2020.
As part of the news, United also extended the validity of PlusPoints — the carrier’s new currency for upgrades — to Jul. 31, 2021 for PlusPoints issued based on flying in 2019, and Oct. 31, 2020 for PlusPoints previously extended to Apr. 30, 2020.
Well, this week the carrier updated the Premier status tracker based on the reduced thresholds, extended existing PlusPoints and issued new ones to those who’ve already qualified for status.
Related: United rolls out new elite status based on lower 2020 requirements
Personally, I’ve already requalified for top-tier Premier 1K status this year by earning 12,630 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) in just three months of flying. As such, my fresh set of PlusPoints posted today, but I didn’t get as many as I had expected. Here’s why.
Premier 1Ks who earn more PQPs after qualifying for top-tier status have traditionally received additional upgrades at regular intervals. As United explained when introducing the PlusPoints program late last year:
After meeting the 18,000 PQP and 54 PQF required to reach 1K status, 1K members will receive an additional 20 PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP they earn. Members meeting the higher 24,000 PQP goal for 1K will receive 40 additional PlusPoints after reaching 1K for having earned 6,000 PQP beyond the lower 18,000 PQP requirement.
So, when United halved the Premier qualification requirements, I expected it to do the same with earning incremental PlusPoints. Well, as confirmed by a United spokesperson, that’s not the case.
For more travel tips and news, sign up for our daily newsletter!
Specifically, after qualifying for 1K in 2020, you need to hit 21,000 PQP before earning 20 additional PlusPoints. For every additional 3,000 PQP earned above 21,000 PQP, you’ll receive another 20 PlusPoints.
Considering that 1K requires either 9,000 or 12,000 PQP depending on the track you choose, that’s a massive lift for most top-tier elites, and certainly doesn’t incentivize flying with the airline after crossing the 1K threshold.
To be clear, I’m quite perplexed by this move. The airline is bleeding cash and will need to do whatever it can to convince passengers to take to the skies in the latter half of the year. Plus, with last year’s extended, there’s a good chance fliers won’t be able to use all their new PlusPoints anyway.
American Airlines offers a similar program to its top-tier Executive Platinum elites who over-qualify for status. Fortunately, AA made sure to reduce the thresholds to earn those rewards as part of its elite status extension announcement.
As a 1K who’s already requalified for status this year, there’s little reason for me to continue flying with the airline on paid tickets (once it’s safe to do so). Sure, I’d probably score a few complimentary upgrades and earn some extra redeemable miles, but with the unprecedented amounts of award space we’ve seen, the rest of my United flying in 2020 will now be on award tickets.
All photos by the author.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.