United PQP Calculator
PQP Calculator
Enter the total base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges for flights operated by United or United Express.
Enter award miles earned from flights on preferred partner airlines.
Enter award miles earned from flights on other partner airlines.
Enter your total annual spend on an eligible United MileagePlus credit card.
Enter your total number of flight segments taken.
What are United Premier Qualifying Points (PQP)?
United Premier Qualifying Points, or PQP, are a crucial component of the United MileagePlus loyalty program. Along with Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF), PQP are the metrics used to determine a member’s elite status level. Essentially, PQP measure how much you spend on flights with United and its partners, providing a clear path to earning valuable travel benefits. The more PQP you earn in a calendar year, the higher your Premier status and the more perks you’ll enjoy.
United PQP Formula and Explanation
The calculation of PQP depends on the type of flight and how it was ticketed. For flights operated by United or United Express, the formula is simple: you earn 1 PQP for every U.S. dollar spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges. Government-imposed taxes and fees do not earn PQP. For flights on partner airlines, PQP is calculated based on the number of award miles earned, divided by a specific number (5 for preferred partners and 6 for other partners).
PQP Calculation Variables
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| United/United Express Spend | Base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on United flights | USD ($) | $50 – $10,000+ |
| Preferred Partner Award Miles | Miles earned on preferred partner airlines | Miles | 1,000 – 50,000+ |
| Other Partner Award Miles | Miles earned on other partner airlines | Miles | 500 – 30,000+ |
| Credit Card Spend | Eligible annual spend on a United co-branded credit card | USD ($) | $12,000 – $100,000+ |
| Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) | Number of flight segments flown | Flights | 4 – 100+ |
Practical Examples
Example 1: The Frequent Business Traveler
A consultant flies weekly for work, exclusively on United. Over the year, she spends $12,000 on base fares and takes 50 flights. She also has a United Club℠ Infinite Card and spends $40,000 annually.
Inputs:
– United Spend: $12,000
– PQF: 50
– Credit Card Spend: $40,000
Results:
– Total PQP: 13,666 (12,000 from flights + 1,666 from credit card)
– Premier Status: Premier Platinum
Example 2: The International Leisure Traveler
A couple takes two big international trips a year on a mix of United and Star Alliance partner airlines. They earn 30,000 award miles on preferred partners and 15,000 on other partners. They fly 8 segments in total and have a United℠ Explorer Card with $25,000 in annual spend.
Inputs:
– Preferred Partner Miles: 30,000
– Other Partner Miles: 15,000
– PQF: 8
– Credit Card Spend: $25,000
Results:
– Total PQP: 9,541 (6,000 from preferred partners + 2,500 from other partners + 1,041 from credit card)
– Premier Status: Premier Silver
How to Use This United PQP Calculator
Using this calculator is straightforward. Simply enter your flight spending, partner airline miles, credit card spend, and number of flights into the respective fields. The calculator will automatically update to show your total PQP and the Premier status you are on track to achieve. Be sure to input your spending and miles accurately to get the most precise calculation. The chart will also visualize your progress towards the next status level.
Key Factors That Affect United PQP
- Airline Flown: Flights on United and United Express earn PQP based on dollars spent, which is often more straightforward than earning through partner airlines.
- Ticket Fare Class: On partner airlines, the fare class determines the number of award miles you earn, which in turn affects your PQP.
- Credit Card Usage: Certain United co-branded credit cards allow you to earn PQP through your everyday spending.
- Flight Segments: You must fly at least four segments on United or United Express to qualify for any Premier status.
- Promotional Offers: United occasionally runs promotions that can accelerate your PQP earnings.
- Award Travel: Redeeming miles for flights on United can now also earn you PQP.
FAQ
- What are Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF)?
- A PQF is essentially a flight segment. A simple round-trip journey consists of two PQF.
- Do I need both PQP and PQF to qualify for status?
- You can qualify for status with a combination of PQP and PQF, or by meeting a higher PQP-only requirement.
- When does my PQP balance reset?
- PQP resets to zero at the beginning of each calendar year.
- Do award flights earn PQP?
- Yes, award flights on United now earn PQP at a rate of 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed.
- Is there a limit to how many PQP I can earn from a single flight?
- For flights on partner airlines, there are caps on the maximum PQP you can earn per flight.
- Can I buy PQP?
- United sometimes offers the option to purchase PQP to top up your account and reach the next status level, but this is not always available.
- Do basic economy tickets earn PQP?
- Yes, basic economy tickets earn PQP but they do not earn PQF.
- Where can I see my current PQP and PQF balance?
- You can view your progress towards Premier status in your United MileagePlus account on the United website or app.
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