When United introduced that it might be reverting to its pre-pandemic standing necessities for the 2023 calendar 12 months, the information got here with blended reactions. With greater Premier qualifying level necessities for standing (i.e., standing turning into dearer), fewer members might qualify for Premier standing, particularly for top-tier Premier 1K.
That’s excellent news for vacationers who far surpass their respective standing necessities, as PlusPoints and complimentary upgrades might clear extra usually. But for MileagePlus members who typically qualify by the pores and skin of their tooth (like me), your present standing would possibly really feel out of attain subsequent 12 months — however do not hand over hope but.
Buried within the 2023 updates was a silver lining. Following Delta’s swimsuit, beginning Jan. 1, you may earn PQPs from MileagePlus award flights operated by United and United Express. You’ll earn 1 PQP for each 100 miles redeemed and 1 Premier qualifying flight for each flight taken.
While I used to be initially underwhelmed with the PQP incomes price from award flights, as I make my 2023 standing plan, I’m contemplating one thing that I’d have not have thought-about prior to now: shopping for United miles.
Here’s why it would possibly make sense to purchase United miles to earn standing.
Comparing money and award PQP incomes charges
Cash PQP accruals
When you journey on a United-issued ticket (indicated by a ticket quantity that begins with 016), you earn 1 PQP per greenback spent on the bottom fare and carrier-imposed payment(s). During the reserving course of, you may see what number of PQPs a given flight earns by clicking “Details” on the flight choice web page.
United awards PQPs primarily based on the price of the ticket minus taxes and charges. In this case, the fare is $510 with slightly below $30 in taxes and charges. So, you’d earn 510 PQPs from this instance ticket for a flight from Newark to Dublin.
This means you truly earn lower than 1 PQP per greenback spent with United, given practically all tickets have related taxes and charges.
On money tickets that are not booked with United for journey on a Star Alliance companion, you may generally earn north of three PQPs per greenback spent. That’s what helped me qualify for Premier 1K this 12 months at a fraction of the same old worth.
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Award PQP accruals
As talked about, beginning Jan. 1, you may earn 1 PQP for each 100 miles you redeem on United and United Express metallic. That implies that a 60,000-mile redemption throughout the Atlantic would earn 600 PQPs.
Related: You can at present purchase factors and miles with as much as a 155% bonus — however do you have to?
Buying miles to save cash and earn PQPs
The worth of shopping for miles to earn PQPs primarily depends upon one variable: the acquisition worth of your miles.
You’re certain to be overpaying if you buy United miles at the usual worth of three.5 cents apiece, particularly since TPG values United miles at simply 1.21 cents apiece.
However, United has routinely supplied promotions the place you may earn as much as a 100% bonus when buying miles. If you are focused for a 100% bonus, the acquisition price falls to roughly 1.88 cents apiece after taxes, which, whereas nonetheless above TPG’s valuation, could possibly be an efficient technique for incomes PQPs. You can test if you happen to’re focused for a deal on shopping for United miles right here.
At a purchase order price of 1.88 cents apiece, 175,000 miles would set you again roughly $3,292.19.
These miles would earn 1,750 PQPs, so a $3,292.19 money fare is sort of sure to earn extra PQPs. But since most MileagePlus miles are value extra than simply 1 cent every, shopping for miles could possibly be a good way to save lots of on airfare and earn PQPs — that is an interesting mixture that beforehand wasn’t doable.
For instance, this round-trip business-class flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tahiti’s Faaa International Airport (PPT) prices $5,817.48.
Alternatively, you might redeem 140,000 miles and $55.58 for a similar seat.
Buying 140,000 miles at 1.88 cents apiece would value roughly $2,632, and also you’d earn 1,400 PQPs. That means you are paying not even 50% of the money worth and nonetheless incomes PQPs.
Related: Everything you want to learn about United Polaris enterprise class
Bottom line
Starting in 2023, you should buy United miles at a reduced worth for the primary time, e-book profitable redemptions and earn towards Premier standing. MileagePlus members may think about transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards factors to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio.
Premier 1K members earn roughly 11 MileagePlus miles per greenback spent on tickets booked on united.com. So if you happen to’re spending $20,000-plus on money tickets for Premier 1K in 2023, you are on monitor to have an annual inflow of round a quarter-million miles in your MileagePlus account annually. Redeeming 250,000 miles on United metallic will earn 2,500 PQPs.
United can also be giving Premier members a head begin for 2023 and 2024. You’ll obtain the next variety of PQPs in 2023 primarily based on the standing you earned in 2022:
- Premier Silver: 500 PQPs.
- Premier Gold: 1,000 PQPs.
- Premier Platinum: 1,500 PQPs.
- Premier 1K: 2,500 PQPs.
Between PQPs now being awarded on United tickets, the top begin and extra PQP earnings from cobranded bank cards, your standing may not be out of attain even with the elevated necessities.