United Airlines is increasing the cost for customers to attain frequent flyer status in 2024, aiming to enhance profits and elevate the exclusivity of its elite loyalty tiers. Elite status with the MileagePlus program will require about 25% more in spending or a combination of spending and flying. These changes will come into effect in 2026.
Aligned with industry trends, United, alongside carriers like American Airlines and Delta, has shifted its loyalty program to emphasize customer spending over flight distance. Co-branded credit cards are pivotal to airline revenues, as financial institutions remunerate carriers with each card transaction.
Benefits of achieving elite status include free upgrades, priority boarding, better seat selections, and access to additional legroom options. The heightened spending demand for elite status aims to manage the surge in high-spending travelers that crowd lounges and early boarding groups.
For 2025, Silver Premier status will necessitate 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and 15 flights, up from 4,000 PQPs and 12 flights. Alternatively, achieving Silver purely through spending alone will now require 6,000 points, up from 5,000. This implies spending $6,000 on flights, an increase from $5,000, irrespective of the flight count. Additionally, customers can earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent using co-branded credit cards, with some cards offering 1 PQP per $15 spent.
The revised requirements for United’s elite statuses are as follows:
– Silver: 5,000 PQPs and 15 flights, or 6,000 PQPs.
– Gold: 10,000 PQPs and 30 flights, or 12,000 PQPs.
– Platinum: 15,000 PQPs and 45 flights, or 18,000 PQPs.
– 1K: 22,000 PQPs and 60 flights, or 28,000 PQPs.
These adjustments reflect United Airlines’ strategy to balance benefits with a sustainable loyalty model amid growing traveler volume in top-tier categories.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/30/united-airlines-frequent-flyer-status.html
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