Can you earn United status without flying?

Earning elite status in the United Airlines MileagePlus program is now attached to earning a certain amount of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). These can be obtained, of course, by flying, but also through spend on a few of the United Airlines credit cards.



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The only non-ticket purchases you can earn PQP on are Economy Plus, preferred seating purchases, paid upgrades, and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards.

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Bottom line. If your goal is to obtain Star Alliance Gold status as quickly as possible and you have the freedom to choose your own flights, Asiana Club is the program to choose. With only 40,000 miles needed over a 24-month period, Star Alliance Gold status is relatively easily obtained.

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Changes to United Premier 1K Status for 2023 To become a United Premier 1K status holder through Jan. 31, 2025, you have to fly 54 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and earn 18,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), in addition to flying at least four United/United Express flights in 2023.

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United Club? Infinite Card Few credit cards offer both airline and hotel elite benefits, but the United Club Infinite Card is one of them. In addition to a path toward United MileagePlus status, card holders also receive IHG One Rewards Platinum status and a $75 statement credit toward IHG bookings through 2023.

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For most people, it probably won't be worth going very far out of your way to chase airline elite status. You can easily replicate many of the perks that a low- or even mid-tier elite traveler would enjoy by holding the right credit cards and buying the occasional upgrade to first class.

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The expiration date for elite status is Jan. 31 each year. To ensure that you maintain your status from year to year, you will need to complete the PQF and PQP requirements for your status level.

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According to United's June 12th, 2020 Form 8-K , United Airlines (UA) has over 100 million MileagePlus (MP) members. According to United's 2020 Annual Report (Form 10-K) about 20% of those enjoy some level of premier status. That amounts to 20,000,000 elites.

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When traveling on a Star Alliance member-operated flight, eligible Star Alliance Gold members (MileagePlus Premier 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold) may visit designated Star Alliance member lounges.

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Since United only credits lifetime flight miles on paid United-operated flights, earning 1 million lifetime flight miles (let alone 4 million) is not easy. If you earn 100,000 lifetime flight miles per year, it'll take you a decade to earn 1 million lifetime flight miles.

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Premier members also get Star Alliance™ Silver or Gold status, meaning you'll enjoy recognition and benefits on all Star Alliance member airlines. And you'll earn Premier qualifying credit 1 when traveling to more than 1,200 destinations.

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United MileagePlus United travelers can earn Star Alliance Silver elite status by earning Premier Silver elite status in MileagePlus. In 2022, a MileagePlus member must earn 3,500 Premier Qualifying Points or eight Premier Qualifying Flights plus 3,000 PQP to earn Premier Silver elite status.

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Star Alliance Gold customers may be asked to show a valid Star Alliance Gold card (e.g. digital or physical FFP card) and proof of a connecting itinerary to access eligible privileges. Kindly refer to the Connecting Partner for further information.

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