United Airlines is adding what it labels as an “Earner Starter PQP” deposit to MileagePlus accounts this morning, giving members a jump start on earning elite status for 2023.
United Airlines “Earner Starter PQP” Hits MileagePlus Elite Accounts
It isn’t clear if this is targeted or everyone received (or will shortly) receive a deposit, but from what I can tell based upon reader comments and this thread on Flyertalk:
- Global Services
- 3000 PQP
- 1K
- 2250 PQP (for those granted an extension)
- 3000 PQP (for those who qualified outright in 2021)
- Platinum
- 2000 PQP (for those granted an extension)
- 2250 PQP (for those who qualified outright in 2021)
- Gold
- 1500 PQP
- Silver
- 700 PQP
PQPs, short for premier qualifying points, are United’s equivalent of dollars spent on travel. The 2023 elite qualification requirements remain unchanged:
- Premier Silver
- 8 PQF + 3,000 PQP or 3,500 PQP
- Premier Gold
- 16 PQF + 6,000 PQP or 7,000 PQP
- Premier Platinum
- 24 PQF + 9,000 PQP or 10,000 PQP
- Premier 1K
- 36 PQF + 13,500 PQP or 15,000 PQP
(PQFs are premier qualifying flights, also known as segments)
I received 3,000 PQPs this morning, which makes sense because I flew enough to re-qualify for 1K status (with the quarterly bonus promotions) last year:
United Confirms
I reached out to United for comment and was informed this was a special promotion geared toward Valentine’s Day:
United is showing love to its most loyal customers just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Tomorrow, United will notify MileagePlus Premier members of a surprise deposit of extra Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) to their accounts to help jump start earning towards their 2023 Premier status goals. Since United extended the lowered Premier qualification thresholds offered at all levels last year, the personalized deposit gifts members 15% -20% of what they need to requalify for status through 2023.
Premier members’ deposit amounts will vary depending on:
- The Premier status level reached at the end of 2021
- Whether Premier status was earned or extended
- Members who earned status, by either meeting the annual requirements or completing the Fly to the Finish challenge, will receive higher PQP deposit amounts
This deposit fulfills United’s commitment that it would help members qualify for elite status again. Even with the omicron wave fading, strict corporate travel polices remain in place and United has all but ceded travel to Asia until later in the year.
> Read More: United Airlines Trims Transpacific Schedule Through Late October
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is adding “earner starter” PQPs to MileagePlus accounts, recognizing that the travel year is starting slow for many (myself included).
Did you receive bonus PQPs this morning?
This just made my day! I have been so stressed about how I was going to re-qualify for 1K but I feel a lot better now! I see the 3000 PQP has already been deposited!
A nice surprise! Although I earned Platinum last year, I received the extension level bonus.
I had the same for Platinum (34 PQF + 13300 PQP) and only 2000 points.
Earned Platinum last year(9.5k PQP/27 PQF) received 2,000 PQP
I got nothin’, though I just have Silver by way of Marriott Titanium.
Nice surprise…but I earned status outright for Platinum last year and only got the extension level bonus too
I qualified for real for Platinum, but only got 2k. A nice surprise for sure but was it supposed to be 2250?
@Sb – same here with qualification – 2k deposited. Nice surprise but wanted to post a data point.
Same here. I qualified for Plat last year (was Gold from the prior year) and only got 2,000. Seems like the numbers in the post are probably wrong.
Weird, I got 1050PQP as a Gold.
Also rec’d 1050 PQP. Flew only 1 segment on UA in ‘21. Have lifetime Gold through MM status.
Also have Lifetime Gold through MM and received 1050 PQP. It looks like the standard grant for Lifetime Gold who had little flight activity in 2021. But I don’t see a higher status than Gold for me with United for 2022, even though I worked very hard for Lifetime Gold. I no longer fly for work and American has much better fares and non-stops to the 2 destinations (LAX and RDU) I’m likely to do this year, so I am focusing on getting status with them for 2023, if only for the very minor benefits (checked bag, boarding, seats, etc.). I already qualified for AA Gold in 2022 when they extended the lower qualification requirements and ending period to Feb. 28 of this year. United is too expensive on those 2 routes for me and the chance of getting upgraded is minimal.
Confirmed… as a 1K who earned 1k for 2022, I got a deposit of 3,000 for 2023!
As a Platinum who was extended, it looks like I received 1,500 PQP.
I received 1,400 as Gold.
I didn’t get any, qualified outright for 1k.
I would give it some time, but do let me know if it doesn’t hit.
Same. I qualified for 1k outright and haven’t received anything yet.
Same for me. Outright 1k qualified, still nothing.
Earned 1k last year and got 3k PQP today.
For Gold it’s being reported as 1,400 on The Points Guy. I received 1,400 and I qualified outright. Have you heard a lot of Golds getting 1,500?
Got the 3,000 PQD’s. Gotta say, United has done good by me as a 1K during the pandemic even though I qualified outright each of the last 2 years. They deserve kudos for that. After my flight from ACC this weekend I’ll be close to half way to 1K status again.
I’m gold and requalified with fly to the finish. I got 1400 PQPs
Thank you for the heads up! I saw my 3K PQP today.
This was a smart move by United.
Hmmm…I didn’t receive points this morning. I had 19,757 PQP and 65 PQF in 2021. Do you happen to know if UA will be depositing points through the week?
Yes, I don’t believe this is a targeted offer. Please keep us updated.
Thanks. Will keep you posted.
Hi Mathew, Oddly I never received this incentive offer. I overqualified for 1K in 2021. Should I reach out to UA?
I am a 1K and I received nothing. Nada. Bupkes.
I would give it a bit more time.
3K showed up in the afternoon for me as 1K (earned), after not seeing it in the morning. So they must be posting on a rolling phases.
Received 400 as Silver.
Just checked my account and I received 700 PQP! I qualified for Silver for the first time last year so this is a really pleasant surprise!
My wife (Gold) and two kids (Silver) both got their PQPs, but me (1k) did not get any. Nothing I can do, but wait I suppose….
Qualified outright for Gold last year. Received only 700 PQP.
Earned 1k last year and as of tonight, no bonus PQP’s. Was hoping for a little help making it back to 1k again for 2022.
Did fly to the finish last year, now 3k pqm received. Thanks UA!
First time I have half the qual points for 1K end of Feb already.
So glad to see the 3000 PQP – I was regretting qualifying outright with mileage runs.
A full three thousand premier qualifying points added to my account
When are they going to make spending on the Presidential Plus and other cards more lucrative for PQPs
I have a Feb. 9, 2022 entry in my account activity, but with 0 (zero) PQP posted. My Gold status is as a Million Miler, so perhaps I don’t qualify to earn starter points. But it seems strange that they created a data record posting zero points.
Open the drop down menu and you might see the PQP, that is what I had to do since it is not miles and the PQP info doesn’t show in the compressed view.
Correct.
I got 1400 PQP for 2022 Premier Gold Earner Starter PQP
United awarded me PQP as part of this promotion and I couldn’t care less. They lost my trust completely. Am a total free agent now and will continue to spend my money with the airline that gives me the cheapest International business or domestic first tickets. If that happens to be United fine.
I’d rather give my money to airlines that don’t run a minimum $ spend program.
I qualified for 1K outright last year and received nothing as of Feb 11 morning.
I qualified for 1k outright for 2022 and as of the morning of 2/11 have received nothing.
I’m in the same situation still…I’m sure this will resolve shortly…or not. It’s a little annoying though, lol
I got 3K. I qualified for 1K last year (by a couple of hundred points). Without a return to international flying – assuming I do it on UA – I just could not see qualifying for it again without another promotion or extension. My paid domestic F is just not enough to do it.
I received 1400 for a fully qualified Gold member and called to ask about the discrepancy since you posted 1500 PQPs for Gold but 1400 is the correct amount per the representatives information.
I still am waiting for mine – earned 1k and nothing.
Received 3000, I qualified for 1k the hard way. I’m glad UA did something, I was beginning to get disappointed with them. 2022 has started off with weekly travel but only domestic, prices are so cheap PQP’s don’t add up quickly so this gesture is appreciated.
Qualified for 1k and haven’t received anything yet.
Same- qualified outright 1K, nothing in account as of 2/12.
Qualified for 1k and received 3,000.
Qualified for 1K and have still received nothing as of 12pm ET on 12/14 – anyone else in the same boat?
This is not a targeted offer, so I still expect it to come.
I am in the same boat. I am a 1K as well. I just checked my account (2/14 at 10PM ET) and nothing has shown up.
Ditto!
Same! 2/15/2022 – I actually came to check the comments, since I earned 1K and still haven’t seen anything. Everyone else in my family (gold & platinum) got theirs last week. I will post if mine ever shows up.
Feb 15… 5:30AM EST. 1K (earned)… still nothing.
Another 1k earned outright in ‘21 through revenue tickets and no deposit as of 7:11pm EST on Feb 15th. So far this year ive earned 5,751 PQPs outright via a single UA/LH Z ticket (016 ticket number UA issued)
Has anyone tried calling the premier (1K) desk? I’m in the same boat with my family all receiving theirs and nothing for me … feeling left out! (1K in 2021).
1Ks have been told be patient. This was not a targeted offer.
Thank you!
Are we getting the 1K kits this year? My status was granted not earned outright.
I also received 2,250 PQP.
Don’t think so – which is sad, because I’d like a fresh luggage tag.