United raises MileagePlus status thresholds from 2027

United Airlines is raising the requirements for elite status in its MileagePlus frequent flyer programme from 2027, the carrier has said. Qualification for the four published Premier tiers will rest solely on Premier Qualifying Points, which are based mainly on eligible flight spending. Members will still have to take at least four flights with United or United Express.

For Premier 1K, the highest published tier, the threshold rises to 32,000 points. Previously members could qualify with 28,000 points, or with 22,000 points alongside 60 flight segments. For frequent flyers who used the second route, that amounts to an increase of 45.5 per cent.

The lower tiers will require 6,000 points for Premier Silver, 12,000 for Gold and 18,000 for Platinum. Those figures match the existing thresholds for qualifying on points alone. United is also dropping the option of mixing flight segments with a reduced points total.

The new rules apply to the 2027 earning year, which determines status in 2028.