United Makes Elite Status All About Spending
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives. However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. The airline will no longer offer a pathway to earn elite status through a combination of flights flown and money spent with the airline. Published Oct 13, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesThe Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel RewardsUnited Cards from our Partnersdiv:not(:last-child)]:border-neutral-lighter [&>div:not(:last-child)]:border-b [&>div]:py-2">Apply now on Chase's website 4.9NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Rewards rate1x-3x3x miles on eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.MilesIntro offerUp to 80,000 MilesEarn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.Apply now on Chase's website 5.0NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Rewards rate1x-2x2x miles on eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting. 1x mile on all other purchases.MilesIntro offerUp to 100,000 Miles + 2,000 PQPEarn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles when you add an employee card in the first 3 months your account is open.Apply now on Chase's website 4.8NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Rewards rate1x-4x4x miles on eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel. 1x mile on all other purchases.MilesIntro offerUp to 90,000 Miles + 500 PQPEarn 500 Premier qualifying points after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.See more United cardsUnited Airlines is making elite status much harder to earn in 2027 — especially for those who typically qualify based on a mix of flight segments and spending with the carrier. The airline is saying goodbye to the Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) metric starting in 2027, and it will use Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) as the sole measure for elite status qualification. PQP are primarily earned based on how much you spend on United tickets and with United credit cards. It’s also raising the requirement to earn Premier 1K elite status from 28,000 PQP to 32,000 PQP. Here’s what you need to know about United’s elite status changes. Starting in 2027, the level of United elite status you earn will be solely based on PQP. You’ll still need to fly at least four flights with United or United Express to be eligible. Here’s how the new requirements compare to what it currently takes to earn elite status: These changes will hit hardest for those who relied on the PQP and PQF combination to earn elite status. That method offered the ability to earn status by flying more but spending less with the carrier. If you were already earning status through the PQP-only option, then the changes aren’t that impactful. For the Premier Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, the 2027 requirements are the same as the 2026 PQP-only thresholds. However, the biggest jump comes for those chasing Premier 1K status. Those who relied on the PQP and PQF option will now need to earn 10,000 more PQP than before — a 45% increase. PQP-only qualifiers will need an additional 4,000 PQP, representing a 14% increase. » Learn more: The guide to United Airlines Premier elite status For 2027, United will continue to deposit starter PQP for those who achieved elite status the prior year. However, you will now need to hold an eligible United credit card by Dec. 31, 2026, to be eligible to receive the headstart deposit. The starter PQP you receive will be equivalent to 5% of the amount needed to re-qualify for your earned status: This is in addition to any card bonus PQP that you might receive for holding certain United credit cards. If you’ve been following United and the broader airline industry, these changes won’t come as a shock — even if they might hurt for United frequent flyers. Both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines ditched the number of flights flown with the airline as an elite status metric years ago. Plus, these changes are clearly meant to push United frequent flyers to open a United credit card. That’s evident by requiring status members to hold an eligible card to receive the starter PQP deposit. Depending on the card you hold, you’ll earn PQP based on your spending, at a rate of up to 1 PQP per $15 spent. Each card comes with a cap on the number of PQP you can earn, although United said it would raise the cap on its most expensive card to the 32,000 PQP required for Premier 1K status. Earlier this year, United also overhauled how you earn miles with the airline, making it more rewarding for people who hold one of its cards. It also started offering award discounts for eligible cardholders that even Premier members cannot access without the card. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539NMLS Consumer Access |Licenses and Disclosures California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812 Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #603L288 You also can open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage which allows you to earn interest on your cash through a cash sweep program. View Important Cash Account Disclosures. Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged.
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