United Airlines Changes Elite Status Requirements, Removing Flight Segments Metric
United Airlines announced changes to its MileagePlus frequent flyer program that will take effect in January 2027. The airline is eliminating flight segments as a factor for earning elite Premier status and shifting the focus entirely to Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) earned through paid airfare, award travel, and eligible credit card spending. The changes also raise the threshold required to achieve United's top-tier Premier 1K status from 28,000 PQPs in 2026 to 32,000 for 2027. Additionally, members will still need at least four flights on United or United Express jets annually to be eligible for any Premier tier. United's President of MileagePlus described the flight segments metric as an outdated system and emphasized a move toward simplification by using one consistent measure across all activities. The airline also announced that cardholders with existing Premier status will receive 5% of their required points at the start of each year.
Tickers: $UAL
Topics: airline industry customer status tiers loyalty programs