United Airlines makes it harder to qualify for status with partner flights
This post has been updated with clarifying information from United.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've seen all major U.S. airlines make adjustments to their loyalty programs.
It all started about three weeks ago when Delta announced that it was extending elite status by another year. Later that day, United matched. And then American Airlines made its move just over a week later.
In the process, American and United made additional changes to their loyalty programs, such as updating award change fees and lowering elite-qualifying thresholds for the remainder of the year.
And now, United's back with a stealthy devaluation to its Premier program. Specifically, it's limiting how many Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) you can earn from partner tickets according to an update to its website.
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Specifically, for flights on or after July 1, 2020 and issued on or after April 29, 2020, United's capping the maximum PQPs that you can earn on tickets issued and operated by its Star Alliance airline partners as follows:
| Class of service | Preferred partner PQP | MileagePlus partner PQP |
|---|---|---|
First/Business | 1,500 | 1,000 |
Economy/Premium Economy | 750 | 500 |
A United spokesperson confirmed that these caps apply per segment for tickets purchased through a partner. Additionally, these changes are not related to the reduced Premier qualifying thresholds for 2020, so expect them to stick around.
For context, United overhauled its Premier program late last year to focus on two metrics — PQPs and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). You can earn status based on a combination of the two, or solely by earning a higher number of PQPs.
Related: United makes big changes to how we earn elite status
You earn PQPs in six ways. The simplest is 1 PQP for every dollar of base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on United-issued tickets. You can also earn PQPs from Economy Plus and Preferred seating purchases. And new in 2020 is the ability to earn PQPs from MileagePlus Upgrade Award co-pays, paid upgrades on United flights and flights ticketed and operated by Star Alliance partners.
As we explained earlier this year, the best way to maximize your PQP earnings was by purchasing relatively inexpensive long-haul Star Alliance flights in premium cabins. This way, you'd earn many more PQPs by buying your ticket with a partner, as opposed to United itself.
But now, the airline has almost removed that opportunity by imposing limits on how many PQPs you can earn per segment from partner tickets.
Related: How to earn United elite status for less by flying partner airlines
Take for example the world's longest flight from Newark to Singapore, which regularly sells for about $1,300 or so round-trip in premium economy. To calculate how many PQPs you'd earn, you first need to figure out how many award miles you'd earn, and then divide by 5 or 6 depending on whether the airline is Preferred or regular MileagePlus partner, respectively.
So, taking a look at the Singapore Airlines partner page, we see that you earn 100% award miles for every mile flown in premium economy. At 9,534 miles each way, you'd earn 9,534 award miles for each direction. Since Singapore Airlines is just a regular MileagePlus partner, you divide those award miles by 6 to get your PQP earnings, which equals 1,589 PQP.
But, now that MileagePlus partner PQPs are capped at 500 per segment for premium economy, you'd earn the maximum of 500, instead of 1,589 PQP.
If you purchased your ticket on a partner prior to these new rules, you can submit receipts showing tickets were issued prior to April 29, 2020, to mileageplus@united.com with the subject line "OA PQP Review" to get your PQP earnings adjusted. Receipts shouldn't be submitted until after travel is completed for flights on or after July 1, 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8-Emlkla5_/
All in all, this is a big devaluation for those looking to earn United status through partner flying. If you were planning to qualify for Premier status during the second half of the year, it's time to reevaluate your strategy.
All photos by the author.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.