How do you reach Premier Silver with United?

Earning Premier Silver status with United for all members requires clearing certain goal posts within a calendar year. These qualifying benchmarks are: Flying 12 PQFs and earning 4,000 PQPs — OR earning 5,000 PQPs. Flying four flights during the calendar year on United or United Express in addition to the above.



To achieve United Premier Silver status in 2026, you must meet one of two primary pathways while completing a minimum of 4 flight segments on United or United Express metal. The first path is the "combination" route, requiring 15 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP). The second path is "PQP only," which requires a higher spend of 6,000 PQP regardless of how many segments you fly. PQP is essentially a reflection of your spend (base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges), while PQF counts the number of takeoffs and landings. Reaching Silver grants you perks like complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in, a free 70lb checked bag, and 7x award miles per dollar spent. It is the entry-level tier of the MileagePlus program, designed for travelers who fly roughly once a month or take a few high-value international trips.

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

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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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You can still buy Premier Access even if you aren't a MileagePlus member or aren't flying in a Premium cabin. Get it for one flight or your whole trip using our website, app, or at an airport kiosk. Prices start at $24. Keep in mind that when you buy Premier Access it doesn't include priority bag services.

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You're automatically eligible for a Complimentary Premier Upgrade as long as you are a Premier member (the higher your status, the earlier you become eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades and are flying on an eligible ticket on any eligible United-operated flight.

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Earning Premier status is based on flying and spending during the previous calendar year. 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.

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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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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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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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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 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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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 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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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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On flights that have premium economy seats, flyers who have booked a Premium Plus seat have first priority for upgrades over everyone else. Only once those upgrade requests have cleared will United begin to process upgrades from those in economy.

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