United Airlines has announced plans to make changes to its MileagePlus program in 2025. Elite status will be harder to earn, though there are also some potentially positive changes.
United MileagePlus increases elite requirements
The biggest change coming to United MileagePlus in 2025 is that the requirements to earn elite status will be increasing considerably. This applies for activity in the 2025 program year, for the purposes of earning status that’s valid throughout 2026.
As a reminder, you can qualify for MileagePlus status either exclusively based on how many Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) you earn, or based on a combination of PQPs and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). You generally earn one PQP per dollar spent on airfare, and earn one PQF per segment flown.
Here are the United MileagePlus elite requirements for 2025:
- Premier Silver will require 15 PQF and 5,000 PQP, OR just 6,000 PQP
- Premier Gold will require 30 PQF and 10,000 PQP, OR just 12,000 PQP
- Premier Platinum will require 45 PQF and 15,000 PQP, OR just 18,000 PQP
- Premier 1K will require 60 PQF and 22,000 PQP, OR just 28,000 PQP
As a point of comparison, here are the elite requirements for 2024:
- Premier Silver requires 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP, OR just 5,000 PQP
- Premier Gold requires 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP, OR just 10,000 PQP
- Premier Platinum requires 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP, OR just 15,000 PQP
- Premier 1K requires 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP, OR just 24,000 PQP
As you can see, elite requirements are increasing an average of somewhere around 20-25%. So top-tier Premier 1K status will require either $28,000 in spending, or $22,000 in spending with 60 eligible flights. That’s significant!
In fairness to United, the airline hasn’t otherwise increased its elite requirements since the new PQP and PQF program was announced in 2019, so I imagine elite ranks have swelled significantly since then. Now, I’m not sure this will actually solve much or make elite status more exclusive, but it may net United more revenue, which I assume is the goal. 😉
United MileagePlus elite members get jumpstart
Existing United MileagePlus elite members are getting an elite status jumpstart in 2025. In early 2025, United will automatically deposit PQPs into MileagePlus accounts based on status earned in 2024. This applies to anyone who earned status, with the exception of those on a trial or status challenge.
Specifically, this MileagePlus jumpstart for 2025 will be as follows:
- Premier Silver members will get a jumpstart of 300 PQPs
- Premier Gold members will get a jumpstart of 600 PQPs
- Premier Platinum members will get a jumpstart of 900 PQPs
- Premier 1K members will get a jumpstart of 1,400 PQPs
As you can see, this is a 5-6% jumpstart when it comes to earning elite status, assuming you plan to qualify based exclusively on PQPs.
United MileagePlus offers more ways to redeem PlusPoints
United MileagePlus has its PlusPoints currency, which are earned for achieving Premier Platinum or Premier 1K status. Currently they can be used to confirm upgrades, though as of 2025, they can be redeemed for new perks, including:
- PQPs or PQFs
- TravelBank cash
- Bonus miles
- Gifting Premier status to other members
These new benefits will be available with PlusPoints earned during the 2025 qualification year, though more details haven’t yet been made available. More flexibility is of course a good thing, especially for those who struggled to use PlusPoints.
Bottom line
Changes are coming to the United MileagePlus program in 2025. Elite requirements will be increasing by 20-25%. However, it’ll be possible to earn more elite qualification through credit card spending, and there will also be new ways to redeem PlusPoints.
I suspect most MileagePlus members won’t be a fan of these updates, though it’s also not surprising to see an airline continue to expect more of its loyal customers, while continuing to offer less (in particular in terms of upgrade percentage). That’s just how the industry works nowadays.
What do you make of the United MileagePlus changes for 2025?
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