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United Gold status is where elite status with United Airlines starts to feel rewarding. From free checked bags and Economy Plus seating to Star Alliance Gold perks like lounge access, United Gold unlocks real value — especially for international travelers.
In this guide, we'll break down how to earn United Gold status, what benefits you’ll enjoy once you have it, and whether it’s worth aiming for based on your travel habits.
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How To Get United Gold Status
Travelers have three ways to earn United MileagePlus Premier Gold status: flying United and its Star Alliance partners, spending on a co-branded credit card, or a combination of the two.
Fly United and its Star Alliance partners
Flying is the traditional, most straightforward way to achieve United's elite status. You can reach Premier Gold by earning 12,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) or by earning 10,000 PQPs and taking 30 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). Either way, you'll need to fly at least four segments on United-operated flights.
On United-issued tickets, you'll earn 1 PQP for every U.S. dollar spent on base fares and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Partner-issued tickets earn PQPs differently. Earnings vary by partner and class of service and generally depend on the distance you fly rather than the price of the ticket. Keep in mind that some United partners do not earn Premier-qualifying credits, so be sure to check before booking.
Additionally, a handful of other United charges also net PQP, such as:
- Economy Plus® seating or Economy Plus subscriptions
- Preferred seat purchases
- Paid upgrades on flights operated by United and United Express
- MileagePlus Upgrade Award co-pays
- Award flights operated by United and United Express
Premier Qualifying Flights are easier to digest. You'll earn one PQF for each flight segment you take on United (on award and cash fares) in all cabins except basic economy. On most partner flights, you will also earn 1 PQF per segment.
Related: The Best Strategies for Earning United Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) by Flying
Spend on a United credit card
You can also earn PQP with a United credit card. Here's a look at what you can earn by using your card for everyday purchases:
Related: Our Guide to Earning PQP with a United Credit Card
United Gold Status Benefits
Premier Gold is where some of the best benefits of United and its Star Alliance partners start to shine — especially on international itineraries. Here's a look at the benefits United Gold status holders can enjoy.
Earn bonus miles on flights
United Gold members earn a 60% Premier mileage bonus, which translates to earning 8X miles per dollar spent on United flights. On select partner flights, you'll earn 50% more redeemable award miles. And it should go without saying, but more award miles means more award flights.
Free access to Economy Plus or preferred seats
One of the best United Gold benefits is access to Economy Plus seating, free of charge, at the time of booking for yourself and one companion. Additionally, a maximum of eight companions on your reservation can select a preferred, non-Economy Plus seat at the time of booking.
Complimentary Premier upgrades
Receive unlimited complimentary upgrades for yourself and one companion on select routes, beginning as early as 48 hours before departure. Currently, the following routes are eligible for upgrades, provided your original ticket is not booked in Basic Economy:
- Within the mainland U.S., except between New York/Newark and Los Angeles, and San Francisco
- Between the mainland U.S. and Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador
- Between Hawaii and Los Angeles/San Francisco
- Between Guam and Asia, Japan, and Micronesia
- Between Japan and the Philippines
If you're booked in Y or B fare classes, you are also eligible for instant upgrades to United's premium cabins on economy tickets. Gold members who are also United co-branded cardholders can use premier upgrades on select award flights.
Free checked bags
United Gold status allows you to check two bags (up to 70 pounds each) for free in economy—or three if you're flying in a premium cabin. United bag fees can add up if you're traveling with a group, so make sure everyone is booked on the same reservation.
Priority check-in, screening, and early boarding
Breeze through the airport with Premier perks like a dedicated check-in counter and expedited security. You'll also enjoy priority boarding in Group 1.
Complimentary flight changes
You can change your flight for free within 24 hours of departure, as long as it’s in the same fare class.
Better award availability
United routinely makes more award space available to its Premier status holders on many flights, including those that are sold out.
Related: How To Find Extra Award Space on United Flights
Premier priority desk
United Gold status offers access to a dedicated MileagePlus support line with a phone number just for you.
Star Alliance Gold status
One of the more noteworthy perks that Premier Gold members enjoy is reciprocal benefits on Star Alliance partner airlines. Perks extended to United Gold include priority check-in, boarding, and security, plus complimentary standby, preferred seating, and free checked bags. Star Alliance Gold members also score access to business-class and frequent-flyer lounges on international flights.
Discounted CLEAR membership
United elites can subscribe to CLEAR Plus for $159 per year (except for Premier 1K members, who can get a membership for $129).
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Take advantage of a complimentary match to Gold Elite Marriott Bonvoy status to enjoy bonus points on stays, space-available room upgrades, late checkout, and more.
Related: Learn How to Get Perks From Both Programs With a Marriott United Status Match
Avis elite status
Enroll in complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status, which offers bonus points on rental car reservations and expedited service.
Other benefits
As a Premier Gold, you can also enjoy extra benefits when booking a VIP Access property with United Hotels and pick up extra amenities on cruise reservations made through United Cruises.
United Lifetime Gold Status
United Gold is yours to keep forever after accruing 1 million miles flown on eligible paid flights operated by United or United Express. You won't earn miles towards United Million Miler status on flights operated by partner airlines.
Is It Worth Earning United Gold Status?
If you frequently find yourself on a United Airlines flight, Premier Gold is an easy way to make your travels more rewarding, cost-effective, and comfortable. With recent changes to United's co-branded credit cards, you can now earn more PQPs with credit card spend, making United Gold an easier achievement for many United loyalists.
However, the main draw to United Gold isn't the complimentary upgrades. Sure, upgrades are nice if you can get them. Flying up front is far preferable to flying in economy. But United Gold is the carrier's fourth-best status level, behind Global Services, Premier 1K, and Premier Platinum. So, the chances you'll find yourself lower on virtually every upgrade list are pretty high.
If you're seeking upgrades, you'll need to set your sights higher.
Some of the best perks of Gold status, however, are the ones that tend to fly under the radar. Free access to Economy Plus means you can snag a seat with more legroom, closer to the front of the plane, without paying extra. Free checked bags can save you serious money, especially on round-trip flights, where United normally charges $35–$40 each way.
Star Alliance Gold status adds even more value, from priority check-in to extra baggage allowance. And let’s be honest: Lounge access on international trips is always a win, along with a handful of other handy perks that make travel a little smoother.
And don't forget about the bonus award miles you'll earn just by flying. More miles earned means more award trips taken. And you'll find many high-value ways to redeem United miles.
However, pursuing United Gold isn't for everyone. It's not worth the investment in United if you don't fly enough, or internationally enough, to enjoy the benefits. There's something to be said about picking up Premier Gold organically. However, before committing yourself to earning PQPs, you'll want to weigh the benefits you like and their worth to you.
Should you earn United Gold status or get a co-branded card?
For some, carrying a low-annual-fee United credit card could replace status. Some cards like the United Explorer Card offer free checked bags, expanded United award availability, and more. Even better, the annual fee for some of these cards is a fraction of the cost you'll spend to achieve Premier Gold.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Final Thoughts
If you're a United loyalist, it's worth looking at Premier Gold. While it's not United Airlines' most valuable status, the tier still offers competitive benefits that will make your next journey more rewarding and cost-effective. That said, before you start chasing it, think about the benefits you value and look at other, cheaper ways to get them.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees)
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