How many PQP do you need for Silver United?

Premier Silver aspirants must fly 12 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and earn 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) OR earn 5,000 PQP. While the requirements to earn elite status are higher, United has also added new ways to earn PQPs. Read more about the changes to United status in 2023 here.



To achieve Premier Silver status with United Airlines in 2026, you generally have two paths to qualification. The first path requires you to earn 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) and complete at least 15 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF). The second, more "spend-heavy" path allows you to bypass the flight count requirement by earning a total of 6,000 PQP. In all cases, you must fly at least four flight segments on United or United Express aircraft. PQP are essentially a reflection of your spend; you earn 1 PQP for every U.S. dollar spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges. Premier Silver is the entry-level elite tier in the MileagePlus program and provides valuable perks such as "Premier Access" (priority check-in and boarding), a complimentary checked bag (up to 70 lbs in 2026), and "Economy Plus" seating at check-in. For those who frequently use United-branded credit cards, some of these PQP can also be earned through credit card spend, making the Silver status reachable for both frequent flyers and savvy spenders alike.

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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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PQP or PQF purchased through Premier Accelerator will credit to your MileagePlus account within 24 hours of purchase. Premier Accelerator is only available until you board your return flight and cannot be purchased after that point.

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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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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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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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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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It's possible to earn a lifetime United 1K. Super-frequent flyers can earn United 1K for life. All you need to do is earn 3 million miles through the United Million Miler program.

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United's annual lounge membership can be paid in dollars or miles, and pricing is based on your MileagePlus elite status. Platinum members receive a $50 discount off the annual membership fee, and 1K members get a $100 discount. Membership gets you unlimited access to the lounges.

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The Million Miler program, a part of the MileagePlus program, rewards members for extraordinary, long-term loyalty to United. Million Milers enjoy generous annual benefits and lifetime Premier® status.

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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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1. American Airlines AAdvantage. Starting January 2022, American Airlines revamped its elite status program. Earning Loyalty Points from flying is relatively simple: If you earn an AAdvantage mile from flying, you'll earn a Loyalty Point.

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