How do I get Premier Silver status on United?

Premier Silver aspirants must fly 12 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and earn 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) OR earn 5,000 PQP.



To earn United Airlines Premier Silver status in 2026, you must complete at least 4 flight segments on United or United Express and meet one of two qualification paths within a calendar year. The first path is the "combined" route: earning 15 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP). The second is the "points-only" route: earning 6,000 PQP regardless of how many flights you took (as long as you met the 4-segment minimum). PQP are generally earned based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges ($1 = 1 PQP). Silver status provides benefits like one free 70lb checked bag, complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in, and eligibility for Premier Upgrades on select flights. It is the entry-level elite tier designed for frequent travelers who fly roughly once or twice a month on mid-range fares.

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All eligible Cardmembers must take a minimum of 4 flights on United or United Express to be eligible for Premier status. Cardmembers must meet the Premier qualifying flight (PQF) requirement for 1K status. All PQP earned on eligible card spend and Flex PQP can be applied up to Platinum.

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Once you qualify for a Premier status, it is valid from the date you qualified through the end of the following program year. So, it could last more than 12 months. For example, if you qualify for Premier Silver status in June 2023, you'll keep your status through Jan. 31, 2025.

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You can also earn PQP by redeeming MileagePlus miles for United or United Express award flights or by using one of our eligible co-branded credit cards for everyday purchases.

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Earn up to 3,000 PQP: The United MileagePlus® Select Card earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 3,000 PQP in a calendar year. Earn up to 6,000 PQP: The United QuestSM Card earns 500 PQP for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 6,000 PQP in a calendar year.

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Once you've flown a million miles with United, you'll earn permanent elite status. At a million miles, you'll get Premier Gold for life. At two million miles, you'll receive Premier Platinum status for life. At three million miles, you'll get Premier 1K for life.

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The primary way of earning PQP is by flying United, United Express, and any of United's airline partners. These consist of all Star Alliance members, plus some unique partners like Brazil's Azul, Hawaiian Airlines, Emirates, JSX, and Virgin Australia.

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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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The number of PQPs you earn on United flights is based on the cost of the ticket fare you purchase. You'll earn one PQP per U.S. dollar spent on the base fare of each eligible United or United Express flight.

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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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Yes it does, since United Gold status is also Star Alliance Gold status. This means you and one travel companion can enjoy lounge access on international itineraries, even when flying in economy class.

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Achieving million miler status At three million miles, you'll get Premier 1K for life. At four million miles, you'll receive lifetime Global Services elite status.

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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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Can I earn PQP for baggage service charges, a United Club? membership or other purchases? No. 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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