After Delta Air Lines shocked its SkyMiles elite members with significant increases in elite status requirements for the 2025 program year, the airline’s loyalists went up in arms.
Although Delta’s CEO recently announced six improvements to the SkyMiles program — including the walk-back of some elite qualification requirements — Delta’s 2024 elite status requirements will still be between 25% and 67% higher than this year’s.
United Airlines’ Premier elite members have been curious whether the airline would emulate Delta’s actions following the status controversy.
During United’s earnings call on Oct. 18, the carrier shared its intentions regarding the Premier status requirements for the 2025 membership cycle.
Related: These are the best credit cards for airline elite status
No increase in United status requirements for next year
Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, shared the airline’s status plans.
“The good news is we have no material changes planned for 2025 program year. We’ve carefully managed our premier population in recent years to maintain a robust and valuable set of benefits for each premier member. We very much believe in never causing a situation where everyone has a premier status which obviously results in no one receiving an adequate level of premier benefits. Our United strategy to offer premier members access to more premium seats than each of our competitors is enhancing the value of our frequent flyer loyalty program.”
United elite members will likely find it encouraging that the airline has decided not to raise the requirements for elite status, especially considering that it had already reinstated pre-pandemic criteria earlier this year.
To assist elite members in maintaining their status, United made one-time premier qualifying flights (PQP) deposits into their accounts when reverting to the pre-pandemic requirements. When it brought pre-pandemic status requirements back, the airline committed to providing the same PQP deposits on Feb. 1, 2023, and Feb. 1, 2024. So expect another PQP deposit early next year based on the status you earn this year.
- Premier Silver: 500 PQPs
- Premier Gold: 1,000 PQPs
- Premier Platinum: 1,500 PQPs
- Premier 1K: 2,500 PQPs
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Nocella also hinted at United’s intention to avoid a situation where an excessive number of elite members could potentially hinder the airline’s ability to deliver benefits to all of them.
Nevertheless, numerous United elite members are disgruntled with the lack of complimentary upgrades, crowded United Club lounges and the inability to utilize PlusPoints (the airline’s upgrade currency) for desirable upgrades before they expire. With higher elite status requirements, the airline would likely see a decrease in elite members, which could theoretically help solve these service shortcomings.
Related: United’s best kept elite status secret: How to earn PQPs faster with partner flights
Bottom line
United customers who barely meet the status requirements for their tier can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that United will not be raising the status requirements for the 2025 membership cycle.
We’ll keep you posted as and when further status announcements come from United.
