Premier status
MileagePlus® Premier® status gives you an elevated travel experience at every step of your journey. Premier members enjoy benefits like complimentary access to Economy Plus® and preferred seating, waived fees, upgrades, priority travel services and more.
We’re making it easier to reach Premier status
We know you still might not be traveling as much as you used to, which is why we’re taking steps to make it easier to reach Premier status through 2022.
You’ll still need to fly a minimum of 4 flight segments on United or United Express® to qualify for Premier status, but here’s a breakdown of the other requirements:
| 2022 Premier status | Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) |
Or PQP only |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | 8 PQF + 3,000 PQP | 3,500 PQP |
| Premier Gold | 16 PQF + 6,000 PQP | 7,000 PQP |
| Premier Platinum | 24 PQF + 9,000 PQP | 10,000 PQP |
| Premier 1K® | 36 PQF + 13,500 PQP | 15,000 PQP |
Premier requirements chart
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Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP)
8 PQF + 3,000 PQP -
Or PQP only
3,500 PQP
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Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP)
16 PQF + 6,000 PQP -
Or PQP only
7,000 PQP
-
Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP)
24 PQF + 9,000 PQP -
Or PQP only
10,000 PQP
-
Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP)
36 PQF + 13,500 PQP -
Or PQP only
15,000 PQP
Footnotes
- 2022 Premier status expires January 31, 2023.
- No distance requirement: With United, there’s no distance requirement to earn status, so you can qualify with just PQP, or PQP and PQF, and every flight gets you closer to earning Premier benefits.
- Jump-start your journey toward Premier status: We’ll automatically add PQP to your MileagePlus account based on the 2021 Premier status you hold at the end of 2020. You’ll receive the PQP no later than February 1, 2021, to give you a head start on maintaining your current status or reaching a higher status level.
- Reach Premier 1K with PQP earned from your eligible credit card: For the 2021 program year, we’re also making changes to the way some of our credit cards earn PQP and qualify for Premier status. Now, PQP earned from your United MileagePlus credit card — including the United Explorer Card — count toward Premier 1K status when you meet the PQF requirement. Learn more
- Your PlusPoints benefits are getting an upgrade: If you have PlusPoints that expire on or after January 1, 2021, we have some good news. We’re extending PlusPoints by an additional six months beyond their expiration to give you more time to use your upgrade benefits on upcoming trips. This includes all PlusPoints earned from 2019 and 2020 activity. Eligible PlusPoints will be extended no later than December 15, 2020. Additionally, as a special promotion in 2021, we’re making it easier to earn extra PlusPoints after reaching Premier 1K status. We’re still the only U.S. global airline that offers members of our highest published status level unlimited opportunities to earn upgrades.
For full details, and to learn more about all of the changes we’ve made, visit mileageplusupdates.com
Our Premier status levels
The number of flights you take and value of the tickets you've purchased will help you achieve Premier status. These earnings are shown as Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP)1. Learn more about how to qualify
In addition to flying a minimum of 4 flight segments on United or United Express, here’s what you’ll need to qualify for 2022 Premier status, based on your travel activity in 2021:
8 PQF and 3,000 PQP or 3,500 PQP
Top benefits:
Eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades
Complimentary access to Economy Plus4 at check-in for you + 1 companion
1 complimentary checked bag (70 lbs./32 kg)
7x
miles earned on every flight
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16 PQF and 6,000 PQP or 7,000 PQP
Top benefits:
2 complimentary checked bags (70 lbs./32 kg)
Complimentary access to Economy Plus4 at booking for you + 1 companion
Star Alliance™ Gold status
8x
miles earned on every flight
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24 PQF and 9,000 PQP or 10,000 PQP
Top benefits:
40 PlusPoints upon meeting the requirements for Premier Platinum status
Complimentary access to Economy Plus4 for you + 8 companions
3 complimentary checked bags (70 lbs./32 kg)
9x
miles earned on every flight
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36 PQF and 13,500 PQP or 15,000 PQP
Top benefits:
280 PlusPoints upon meeting requirements for Premier 1K status
Pre-boarding
1 free drink and snack in Economy10
11x
miles earned on every flight
Learn more about how to qualify for Premier status in 2020.
Looking for details? Compare the benefits at each level.
MileagePlus credit cardmembers can earn PQP toward Premier status, too.
Join the MileagePlus program today to start your journey to Premier status — members earn 5X miles for every flight.
MileagePlus Premier status offers an enhanced travel experience at every step
Learn more about how to qualify for Premier status in 2020.
Looking for details? Compare the benefits at each level.
See full benefitsMileagePlus credit cardmembers can earn PQP toward Premier status, too.
View credit cardsJoin the MileagePlus program today to start your journey to Premier status — members earn 5X miles for every flight.
Join nowMileagePlus Premier status offers an enhanced travel experience at every step
At the airport
Benefits like complimentary checked bags2 and the ability to change your flight at check-in and confirm a seat with no change fee help make your airport experience smoother and more convenient whenever you fly United.3
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Compare airport benefits at each level Benefit Silver Gold Platinum 1K Priority check-in 
availableavailableavailableavailablePriority security screening, where offered availableavailableavailableavailablePriority boarding Boarding Group 2 Boarding Group 1 Boarding Group 1 BoardingPre-board Complimentary checked bags in Economy, 70 lbs. (32 kg) 1 complimentary checked bag 2 complimentary checked bags 3 complimentary checked bags 3 complimentary checked bags 3 complimentary checked bags in premium cabin, 70 lbs. (32 kg) availableavailableavailableavailableUnited Club℠ annual membership discount Not available Not available $50 discount $100 discount Access to most sold-out flights Y-class ticket, at least 24 hrs. before departure Y-class ticket, at least 24 hrs. before departure Y-class ticket, at least 2 hrs. before departure Y- or B-class ticket, at least 1.5 hrs. before departure Confirmed flight changes within 24 hours of departure7 Free within same fare class Free within same fare class Free within same fare class Free within same fare class CLEAR® discounted annual membership $109 $109 $109 Waived
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Compare in-flight benefits at each level Benefit Silver Gold Platinum 1K Complimentary Premier Upgrades (as early as) Day of departure 48 hours 72 hours 96 hours Complimentary access to Economy Plus or preferred seating Preferred seating at booking; Economy Plus at check-in At booking At booking At booking Complimentary Economy Plus for travel companions 1 1 8 8 Preferred seating for travel companions 8 8 8 8 Instant upgrades to the premium cabin on Economy tickets Y or B class fares Y or B class fares Y or B class fares Y, B or M class fares PlusPoints Not available Not available 40* +280 additional* 1 free drink and 1 snack in Economy** Not available Not available Not available available*PlusPoints will be available starting December 4, 2019, to members who have met all the requirements for Platinum or 1K status. Members can earn incremental PlusPoints when they keep flying beyond 1K status.
**Due to COVID-19, we’ve made some temporary changes to our inflight service, so we won’t be handing out individual snacks and beverages. Learn more about our current inflight offerings.
We’ve introduced a new, innovative upgrade benefit, replacing Regional Premier Upgrades and Global Premier Upgrades with PlusPoints. For more information, see mileageplusupdates.com
Earning and using miles
As a Premier member, you’ll earn extra miles for every dollar you spend on flights, making it even easier to save up enough miles for your award travel.
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Compare benefits at each level while Earning and using miles Benefit Silver Gold Platinum 1K Extra miles per dollar on United®, United Express® and select partner airlines 7X fare6 8X fare6 9X fare6 11X fare6 No blackout dates for award flights on United and United Express availableavailableavailableavailableBetter award availability in Economy availableavailableavailableavailableBetter award availability in select premium cabins Not available Not available availableavailablePriority award waitlisting availableavailableavailableavailableStandby for international award flights availableavailableavailableavailable
Support and customer service
Our Premier members receive special resources and perks, like a Priority Desk phone line for quick help when it matters most.
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Compare customer service benefits at each level Benefit Silver Gold Platinum 1K Premier Priority Desk phone line Phone booking service fees $25 $25 Waived Waived Fee for changing or canceling an award ticket with redeposit 31 or more days before departure No fee No fee No fee No fee Fee for changing an award ticket for travel originating in the U.S. 30 or fewer days before departure No fee No fee No fee No fee Fee for canceling an award ticket for travel originating in the U.S. with miles redeposit 30 or fewer days before departure $100 $75 $50 No fee Fee for changing or canceling international award tickets that do not originate in the U.S. 30 or fewer days before departure $100 $75 $50 No fee
Star Alliance partner benefits
Premier members also get Star Alliance Silver or Gold status, meaning you’ll enjoy recognition and benefits on all Star Alliance member airlines. And you’ll earn Premier qualifying credit1 when traveling to more than 1,200 destinations. Star Alliance Gold members also have access to the largest lounge network in the world. Learn more about lounge access.
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Compare benefits at each level for Star Alliance partners Benefit Star Silver Star Gold Priority reservations waitlisting2 availableavailablePriority airport standby3 availableavailablePriority airport check-in3 Not available availableExtra baggage allowance4 Not available availablePriority baggage handling Not available availableGold Track (Priority Security and Immigration)5 Not available availableAirport lounge access6 Not available availablePriority boarding3 Not available availableFootnotes
- On eligible fare classes, which vary by Star Alliance member airline.
- Not permitted for Star Alliance award tickets.
- Where available.
- On eligible flights operated by United and United Express as well as most connecting travel on Star Alliance member airlines. Your eligibility depends on the airline you check in with (which is the airline operating your itinerary’s first flight). Please refer to each airline's bag policies for further information.
- To see where Gold Track (Priority Security & Immigration) is available, visit staralliance.com/gold-track
- The following rules and restrictions apply:
- When traveling on a Star Alliance member-operated flight, eligible Star Alliance Gold members (MileagePlus Premier 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold) may visit designated Star Alliance member lounges. United Star Alliance Gold members may access any United Club only when holding a boarding pass for a same-day international Star Alliance member flight. United Star Alliance Gold members may access other Star Alliance member lounges before any departure on a Star Alliance member airline flight.
- Guests must enter with eligible Star Alliance Gold members (MileagePlus Premier 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold) and must depart on a Star Alliance airline, though not necessarily on the same flight as the member. At some destinations, where no member carrier lounge is present, a contract lounge may be available. Star Alliance Gold members may access these facilities when traveling with a Star Alliance member airline that has an agreement with the contract lounge. The same rules and restrictions for member carrier lounge access apply to a contract lounge facility.
The benefits of Star Alliance Silver status and Star Alliance Gold status are subject to change and subject to the rules of Star Alliance.
MileagePlus partners
Premier members enjoy exclusive offers through our partners, like complimentary elite status with Marriott Bonvoy™ and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®. Many other partners offer preferred rates. Learn more about earning and using miles.
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Compare benefits at each level through MileagePlus parthers Benefit Silver Gold Platinum 1K Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status Not available availableavailableavailableComplimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status Five Star Five Star President’s Circle President’s Circle Extra benefits when booking a VIP Access property with United Hotels availableavailableavailableavailableUnited Cruises onboard amenities offer availableavailableavailableavailableTPC® Network golf course benefits availableavailableavailableavailableMercedes-Benz incentives availableavailableavailableavailableComplimentary access to Timeshifter® – The Jet Lag App® One jet lag plan One jet lag plan One jet lag plan Annual subscription Offers subject to change. Terms and conditions apply.
MileagePlus rules: The accrual of miles and Premier® qualifying credits, redemption of awards and provision of benefits through the United MileagePlus program, including the Premier Program, are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the MileagePlus program. See the complete rules and details of the MileagePlus program
Terms and conditions
Footnotes
- The fare is the base fare of the ticket plus carrier-imposed surcharges, excluding any government-imposed taxes and surcharges. For tickets purchased in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we will convert the purchase to U.S. dollars using an industry standard exchange rate and then calculate the number of miles you will earn. Please note that the price displayed when purchasing a ticket on united.com includes up to a 7.5% U.S. Federal Transportation Tax on the base amount of the fare on itineraries wholly within the United States. This tax also applies to certain itineraries between the United States and Canada or Mexico. You will not earn PQP or award miles for the full amount of the displayed price for these itineraries because the U.S. Federal Transportation tax is not eligible to earn PQP or miles.
- Complimentary checked baggage allowance applicable only on United® and United Express® operated flights, and is determined by Premier status at time of check-in with United. To determine specific checked baggage service charges, please use the Baggage Calculator.
- Customers who do not receive complimentary Premier Access may have the option to purchase Premier Access for a particular flight. A Premier Access purchase includes priority check-in, security lane access (where available) and boarding, but it does not include priority baggage handling.
- Complimentary Economy Plus and preferred seating access is determined by the highest Premier status of the travelers on the reservation. Complimentary Economy Plus seating for travelers on award tickets is based on the traveler's status at booking for Premier Gold and above or at time of check-in for Premier Silver, rather than the status of the member whose miles were used to purchase the award ticket. Complimentary (and paid) access/upgrades to Economy Plus are not valid for tickets containing Basic Economy.
- Upgrades of any type are not allowed for Basic Economy fares or Economy (first bag charge/no changes allowed) fares. This includes Complimentary Premier Upgrades, Instant Upgrades, PlusPoints upgrades, MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Star Alliance Upgrade Awards, and Paid upgrades.
- United Airlines reserves the right to exclude certain flights, fares, tickets, routes, products and/or programs from earning MileagePlus award miles and/or Premier qualifying credits. Learn more about earning miles on United flights.
- In order for same-day confirmation to be free, flights must be in the same fare class with the same origin and destination as the original ticket.
- There is a $125 redeposit fee for members who do not show up for their flight and request a redeposit of their miles. This fee applies to all members.
- The benefits of Star Alliance Silver status and Star Alliance Gold status are subject to change and subject to the rules of Star Alliance.
- Due to COVID-19, we’ve made some temporary changes to our inflight service, so we won’t be handing out individual snacks and beverages. Learn more about our current inflight offerings.