United Airlines Tightens Premier Status Requirements for 2025

United Airlines has significantly increased Premier status requirements for 2025, making elite status roughly 25% harder to achieve across all tiers. This marks the first major threshold increase since the airline introduced its current PQP/PQF system in 2019.

New Premier Status Requirements

The updated qualification thresholds represent a substantial jump from previous years. Here's what you'll need to earn each Premier status level in 2025:

Premier Silver: 5,000 PQPs + 15 PQFs, or 6,000 PQPs alone (previously 4,000 PQPs + 12 PQFs, or 5,000 PQPs)

Premier Gold: 10,000 PQPs + 30 PQFs, or 12,000 PQPs alone (previously 8,000 PQPs + 24 PQFs, or 10,000 PQPs)

Premier Platinum: 15,000 PQPs + 45 PQFs, or 18,000 PQPs alone (previously 12,000 PQPs + 36 PQFs, or 15,000 PQPs)

Premier 1K: 22,000 PQPs + 60 PQFs, or 28,000 PQPs alone (previously 18,000 PQPs + 54 PQFs, or 24,000 PQPs)

To put this in perspective, earning Premier 1K status through spending alone would require approximately $28,000 on United flights.

Head Start Bonuses for Existing Members

United is softening the blow for current elite members with bonus PQPs deposited in early 2025:

• Premier Silver: 300 PQPs
• Premier Gold: 600 PQPs
• Premier Platinum: 900 PQPs
• Premier 1K: 1,400 PQPs

These bonuses provide roughly a 5-6% head start toward the new qualification requirements.

Enhanced Credit Card Earning

To help travelers adapt, United improved PQP earning rates on its co-branded credit cards:

• United Club Cards: Now earn 1 PQP per $15 spent (up to 28,000 PQPs annually)
• Other eligible cards: Earn 1 PQP per $20 spent with increased annual caps

This represents a significant improvement for cardholders looking to supplement their flying with credit card spending to earn elite status.

PlusPoints Get New Uses

Starting mid-2025, Premier Platinum and 1K members will be able to redeem PlusPoints for more than just upgrades, including extra PQPs, bonus miles, TravelBank cash, and gifting status to other members.

What This Means for Travelers

These changes follow a broader industry trend toward making elite status more exclusive. For frequent United flyers, this means:

• Consolidating travel: Focus more spending on United and its Star Alliance partners to maximize PQP earning
• Strategic credit card use: Consider a United credit card to supplement flight earnings
• Timing considerations: Plan qualification runs earlier in the year to account for higher thresholds

The Bottom Line

United's 25% increase in Premier status requirements reflects the airline's goal to balance elite benefits with growing membership rolls. While existing members get a head start and new credit card benefits help bridge the gap, reaching United elite status in 2025 will require more strategic planning than ever.

For travelers who can't meet the new thresholds, consider focusing on transferable points programs that offer more flexibility for award redemptions without requiring elite status.

Status earned in 2025 will be valid through January 31, 2027.