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Back in October 2024, United revealed the requirements to qualify for Premier status for the next year. Along with what was needed for each level, it shared that PlusPoints were going to become more flexible and that members would have more ways to use them besides upgrades (something Premier members have been rightfully moaning about for years). The details were scant at the time, but this week United updated its site with more details.
What are PlusPoints?
If you’re asking this, you likely have not earned them. Premier® Platinum and Premier 1K® members earn PlusPoints upon qualifying for these status levels. Premier® Platinum members earn 40 PlusPoints and Premier 1K® members earn 280 more once they qualify (since you need to be Premier Platinum® before Premier 1K®, you end up with a total of 320 PlusPoints). After qualifying for Premier 1K®, you can still earn more PlusPoints. You’ll earn 20 more PlusPoints for every 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) you earn beyond the 22,000 needed for qualification.
What Can You do With PlusPoints?
PlusPoints have historically been used for upgrades from Economy to Premium Plus, United Business®, United First®, or United Polaris®. The amounts needed varied by route and fare class booked.
What Will You be Able to do With PlusPoints?
Starting with PlusPoints earned this year (through 2026 status qualification with an expiration date in 2027), you’ll be able to use PlusPoints for much more than upgrades. I’m excited about this because I inevitably have a good number expire each year.
New options include:
- Gifting Premier status (all the way through Premier 1K®): Premier Silver® can be had for 40 PlusPoints, Premier Gold® for 100 PlusPoints, Premier Platinum® for 440 PlusPoints, and Premier 1K® for 600 PlusPoints
- TravelBank Cash: Up to 100 PlusPoints can be redeemed for $200 (max)
- Bonus Miles: Up to 100 PlusPoints can be redeemed for15,000 miles (max)
- Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): 2 at 160 and 4 at 330
- Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): 1,600 max
Anthony’s Take: It’s still a better value if you can find PZ space and push through an upgrade, but if you have points expiring these options are better than losing them. I will likely go for the $200 and 15,000 miles next year if I see I’ll have some expiring.
(Image Credits: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
