Trip Benefits - Perks of Becoming an Airline Member
See the Strategic Benefits of Being an Airline Member
Brooke’s last trip was on the 21st of December, she's been researching, writing, and booking ever since but the next trip is coming up shortly!
Utilizing this trip, we thought it would be best to illustrate a key use of PQPs or the benefits of being an airline member. Brooke is best at writing so we'll turn it over to her. - The Brooke In The Air Travel team.
Let me stat off by saying, everyone should be an airline loyalty member. Joining any membership is usually free and only takes a few minutes. From Lufthansa's Miles & More program to Air Canada's Aeroplan, and Emirates' Skywards loyalty program, to United's MileagePlus program, every airline in the world typically has a membership program to encourage customer brand loyalty.
I recently went to Newark on a PQP, or Premier Qualifying Points, run, which netted over 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). These PQPs will push me over my original 2,700 needed for Premier 1K status for 2026/early 2027.
This trip was important for the aforementioned PQP reasoning and to build up miles for 2026-27.
This trip was completely in business class and the reviews are up!
I traveled in the 757-200T (T is short here for "Transcon") and the new layout in the 787-9 Dreamliner, it is affirmed that business class trips are the easiest to use to acquire PQPs as Premier Qualifying Points are based on dollars spent. This is a premium route which specializes in the 757-200T alone.
The 787-9 is in a brand new Polaris Suite class which is on a shakedown trial run, destined for true international trips starting in March of 2026, notably SFO-LHR (San Francisco to London-Heathrow).
You can acquire PQPs on mileage purchases as well, as PQPs are based on money spent; for every $20 spent, 1 PQP is earned, as long as it is done with a United Chase QUEST credit card. It is key to note that Basic Economy fares do not garner Points or miles. Standard Economy does, Economy Plus gains more, yet Domestic First or Polaris nets the most. Again, PQP is based on any and all money spent with the United co-branded credit cards by Chase. PQPs are also earned on fellow Star Alliance member airlines, and most partner airlines. I say most as new partners such as JetBlue and Emirates are excluded and trips to Dubai unless on a United flight are not counted (Emirates) or New York - JFK (JetBlue) or Boston - (BOS, JetBlue).
Global Services, the invite-only status tier offered by United Airlines, and the highest membership status that can be attained, has long been a mystery in attainability. However, while criteria is unlisted, the basis is money spent. If you attain Premier 1K status 4, 5, 6 years in a row, you’ll gain the attention of United’s GS invitation service. They look at who spends 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars a year and this spending aspect is the key deciding factor in terms of who earns Global Services status for that annual basis. The key is high, and most of all consistent, spending.
You can increasingly use your United card for everyday purchases, including rent and medical copays and groceries. This will rapidly increase your mileage.
Until next time, and remember to book your vacation packages at Brooke In The Air Travel through Brookeintheairtravel.squarespace.com!
Next time, we will go over the best co-branded credit cards!
