United Airlines MileagePlus® Premier status could make your flight more comfortable with perks like complimentary seat upgrades.
- At a glance: United MileagePlus Premier status
- How does United MileagePlus Premier status work?
- United MileagePlus Premier Silver status
- United MileagePlus Premier Gold status
- United MileagePlus Premier Platinum status
- United MileagePlus Premier 1K status
At a glance: United MileagePlus Premier status
As a United MileagePlus member, you can earn miles when you purchase flights — though the number of miles you earn per $1 spent varies depending on your status, the type of fare you book and other factors.
To be eligible for the exclusive perks that come with airline status, you’ll need to qualify for MileagePlus Premier status. There are four levels of MileagePlus Premier status.
- Premier Silver
- Premier Gold
- Premier Platinum
- Premier 1K®
Let’s see how they compare.
| When can you confirm seat upgrade? | Complimentary checked bags | Clear® annual membership cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | Day of departure | 1 | $169 |
| Premier Gold | 2 days before departure | 2 | $169 |
| Premier Platinum | 3 days before departure | 3 | $169 |
| Premier 1K® | 4 days before departure | 3 | $129 |
How does United MileagePlus Premier status work?
United doesn’t require you to fly a certain number of miles to qualify for MileagePlus Premier status. Instead of tracking distance flown, United looks at your Premier qualifying flights and Premier qualifying points.
Premier qualifying flights measure how many segments you fly. For example, if you book a one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles that connects in Chicago, you’d get two PQFs because you completed two flight segments. Premier qualifying points measure how much you spend on those flights. You’ll earn one PQP for every $1 you spend on airfare, carrier-imposed surcharges, seat purchases and upgrades.
It’s worth noting that when you book a basic economy or award ticket, you’ll earn PQPs, but not PQFs.
United credit cards don’t offer complimentary MileagePlus Premier status, but they help provide a path to get there. If you have a United credit card, you might be eligible to earn some of the PQPs you need with your everyday spending.
United MileagePlus Premier Silver status
What does Premier Silver status get you?
United MileagePlus Premier Silver members who don’t have a United credit card earn five miles for every $1 they spend on flights. Eligible United cardholders with Premier Silver status will earn eight miles per $1 spent on flights.
As a United Premier Silver member, you’ll be eligible for seat upgrades if there are any available on the day of departure. Just keep in mind that you’ll be at the bottom of the list below 1K, Premier Platinum and Premier Gold members. So if the flight is full, there’s no guarantee United will be able to accommodate you. The consolation prize is that even if you don’t score a first-class upgrade, you’ll still be able to select your preferred seat — such as a window or aisle seat — for free when you book your ticket.
You’ll also receive one free checked bag, priority check-in, priority security screening and priority boarding. And you’ll have access to better award availability in the economy cabin with no blackout dates.
How do I qualify for Premier Silver status?
To qualify for United MileagePlus Premier Silver status, you’ll need the following:
- 15 PQFs and 5,000 PQPs, or …
- 6,000 PQPs
But if you’re a big spender, you might be able to use a United credit card to get most of the way to Premier Silver status.
United MileagePlus Premier Gold status
What does Premier Gold status get you?
United MileagePlus Premier Gold members who don’t have a United credit card earn six miles per $1 spent on flights. Eligible United cardholders with Premier Gold status will earn nine miles per $1 spent on flights.
As a United Premier Gold member, you’ll be eligible for seat upgrades two days before departure, if there are any available. This gives you a better chance to score an upgrade than Premier Silver members, but you’ll still have to wait in line behind 1K and Premier Platinum members. But even if there aren’t any first class seats left when it’s your turn, you’ll still be eligible to upgrade to Economy Plus for free when you book your ticket.
You’ll also receive two free checked bags.
This is on top of all the perks that Premier Silver members get.
How do I qualify for Premier Gold status?
To qualify for United MileagePlus Premier Gold status, you’ll need …
- 30 PQFs and 10,000 PQPs, or …
- 12,000 PQPs
You can also use a United credit card to help you get part of the way there.
United MileagePlus Premier Platinum status
What does Premier Platinum status get you?
United MileagePlus Premier Platinum members who don’t have a United credit card earn seven miles per $1 spent on flights. Eligible United cardholders with Premier Platinum status will earn 10 miles per $1 spent on flights.
As a United Premier Platinum member, you’ll be eligible for seat upgrades three days before departure, if there are any available. This gives you a better chance to score an upgrade than Premier Silver and Premier Gold members, but you’ll still be behind 1K members in the pecking order. At the very least you should be able to upgrade to Economy Plus at the time of booking.
You’ll also receive three free checked bags.
This is on top of all the perks that Premier Gold members get.
How do I qualify for Premier Platinum status?
To qualify for United MileagePlus Premier Platinum status, you’ll need …
- 45 PQFs and 15,000 PQPs, or …
- 18,000 PQPs
While using a United credit card could help a little bit, it won’t make a big dent on your path to Platinum status.
United MileagePlus Premier 1K status
What does Premier 1K status get you?
United MileagePlus Premier 1K members who don’t have a United credit card earn nine miles per $1 spent on flights. Eligible United cardholders with Premier 1K status will earn 12 miles per $1 spent on flights.
As a United Premier 1K member, you’ll be at the top of the food chain when it comes to seat upgrades. You’ll get first crack at them — four days before departure — if any are available.
In addition to all the perks you earn as a Platinum member, you’ll get one free drink and snack when you fly economy.
How do I qualify for Premier 1K status?
To qualify for United MileagePlus Premier 1K status, you’ll need the following:
- 60 PQFs and 22,000 PQPs, or …
- 28,000 PQPs
Using a United credit card won’t have a big effect on your effort to earn 1K status.