United Airlines has announced a series of updates to its MileagePlus program for 2025, including higher spend requirements for Premier status, some additional flexibility with PlusPoints, and improved earning potential with United Chase credit cards. Here’s a quick rundown on what’s changing:

1. PlusPoints Get More Flexibility

Beginning in mid-2025, members will be able to redeem PlusPoints for more than just seat upgrades, allowing for:

  • PQP or PQF: Use PlusPoints to add Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) or Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) to your totals.
  • TravelBank Cash: Convert PlusPoints to cash for travel purchases.
  • Bonus Miles: Redeem for additional miles.
  • Gift Status: Transfer some Premier benefits to another MileagePlus member.

These new options add some versatility to PlusPoints, but it is unclear whether these changes will affect the value of using PlusPoints for upgrades.

2. Higher Spending Requirements to Reach Premier Status

To achieve United Premier status in 2025, members will need to meet increased spending and segment thresholds:

  • Premier Silver: 5,000 PQP + 15 PQF or 6,000 PQP
  • Premier Gold: 10,000 PQP + 30 PQF or 12,000 PQP
  • Premier Platinum: 15,000 PQP + 45 PQF or 18,000 PQP
  • Premier 1K®: 22,000 PQP + 60 PQF or 28,000 PQP

This adjustment reflects roughly a 20-25% increase in qualification levels from 2024, indicating tightening requirements for United’s elite status tiers.

3. Starter PQPs Return

As in previous years, United will provide a starting PQP deposit in early 2025 for members with Premier status, allowing a small head start on qualification for 2026:

  • Premier Silver: 300 PQP
  • Premier Gold: 600 PQP
  • Premier Platinum: 900 PQP
  • Premier 1K®: 1,400 PQP

4. Higher Credit Card Earning Rates

United Chase credit cardholders will have enhanced opportunities to earn PQPs through card spending in 2025:

  • Earn Rates: All eligible United Chase cards will now offer 1 PQP per $20 spent, with the United Club℠ Infinite Card and United Club℠ Business Card earning 1 PQP per $15 spent.
  • Higher PQP Caps: Cardholders can earn more PQP annually on select cards, making it a bit easier to reach Premier status.

Maximize the value of your United MileagePlus Miles

AwardFares lets you find MileagePlus award flights in seconds, and with just a few clicks. You can try it for free. With our Gold and Diamond tiers, you can access premium features such as unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, flight schedules, and more!

Read More

Our guides have all the information you need to be a pro travel hacker and explore the world on points. Here are some related posts you might enjoy: