United Airlines to Make Elite Status Easier to Obtain in the Coming Year

A United retrojet in Chicago

United Airlines, which last April said it would extend the current elite status of members of its MileagePlus frequent-flyer program into early 2022 amidst the pandemic-induced decline in travel, said it will make it easier to earn elite status for 2022.

The Chicago-based airline is lowering the requirements for both Premier Qualifying Point and Premier Qualifying Flight thresholds by 25% that must be met in 2021.

“Today’s announcement of making it easier to qualify for status is just another step we are taking to make United a better airline for our customers,” said Luc Bondar, who serves as vice president of customer loyalty at the airline.

In addition to the threshold reductions, the airline said it plans to deposit 25% of the PQP-only requirements into MileagePlus Premier members’ accounts based on their status in 2021.  In addition, the airline is giving members bonus PQP for their first three trips flown in 2021, provided they travel before March 31.

Finally, United is extending the expiration date of all PlusPoints, the currency of the MileagePlus program, that are set to expire on or after January 1, 2021, by an additional six months.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)