United Is Making It Harder to Earn Elite Status in 2025 — What to Know

Customers face a steeper climb next year.

By Stella Shon Stella Shon

Stella Shon is an aviation news writer. Her work has been featured in publications including The Points Guy, USA Today, and others. Globetrotting more than 100,000 miles every year, she loves flying new airlines and scoping out remodeled airports. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 29, 2024

Close A United Airlines airplane during take off . Photo:

FG/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Earning elite status with United Airlines will become more challenging as the airline implements major updates to its Premier program for 2025.

The method for qualifying for elite status will remain the same: fliers must accumulate a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) or meet a higher PQP threshold, which includes dollars spent with United and its partners. However, the requirements will increase across all tiers, the airline announced today:

• Silver: 5,000 PQPs and 15 PQFs or 6,000 PQPs (Previously 4,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs or 5,000 PQPs)
• Gold: 10,000 PQPs and 30 PQFs or 12,000 PQPs (Previously 8,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs or 10,000 PQPs)
• Platinum: 15,000 PQPs and 45 PQFs or 18,000 PQPs (Previously 12,000 PQPs and 36 PQFs or 15,000 PQPs)
• 1K: 22,000 PQPs and 60 PQFs or 28,000 PQPs (Previously 18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs or 24,000 PQPs)

The additional requirement to fly at least four segments with United or United Express to qualify for elite status will stay the same. Meeting these thresholds during the 2025 calendar year will ensure your status for the remainder of that year and all of 2026.

On Feb. 1, 2025, United will give current elite status holders a boost for the 2025 qualifying year with 300 PQP for Silver members, 600 PQP for Gold members, 900 PQP for Platinum members, and 1,400 PQP for 1K members. 

A cobranded credit card can help travelers accelerate their PQP accumulation through everyday spending, as the United Club Infinite and Club Business cards will grant 1 PQP per $15 spent, while all other United cards will offer 1 PQP per $20 spent.

Additionally, the maximum PQPs that can be earned on a United card will increase from 10,000 to 15,000 on the United Club Infinite and Club Business, with the United Quest increasing from 6,000 PQPs to 9,000 PQPs.

The significant changes are slightly offset by the improvements to United’s PlusPoints program, available to top-tier Platinum and 1K members. Beginning in mid-2025, United plans to introduce more redemption options for PlusPoints, including bonus PQPs or PQFs, TravelBank cash, redeemable miles, and the ability to gift status to other travelers. However, the exact number of PlusPoints needed for each award hasn’t been specified yet.

Earning airline loyalty status has become more challenging — a trend seen across the industry — with major airlines introducing significant changes since the pandemic. Just last year, Delta Air Lines raised the requirements for its Medallion program substantially, but relaxed some criteria after receiving pushback from loyal fliers.