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United Airlines elites have had a love/hate relationship with PlusPoints — the currency Premier elites can use for upgrading flights. While the idea of rewarding its most loyal flyers with a perk that can be used to upgrade to premium cabins sounds nice, the inability to successfully clear upgrades using PlusPoints has caused frustration.
United is remedying that by offering a number of different ways to use PlusPoints beyond the traditional upgrade route. In doing so, they are introducing a somewhat complicated array of choices with rules and limitations. Let's look at all the details
United PlusPoint Changes
This week, United emailed its customers outlining the changes to PlusPoints. United hinted at these changes last October, and now the specifics are being introduced.
Now, United is offering five new ways to use PlusPoints earned in 2025 or later. You can exchange up to 600 PlusPoints per year and can mix and match among the options below.
One important note is that you can only exchange PlusPoints until March 31 of the year before they expire. So, PlusPoints earned in 2025 must be exchanged by March 31, 2026. After that, they can only be used for upgrades as before. That means you'll have to make a tough decision by March 31 whether to exchange your PlusPoints or risk using them for future upgrades.
New United PlusPoint Exchange Options
Here are the five new ways you can exchange your United PlusPoints. You will be able to exchange PlusPoints online here.
Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs)
You can redeem PlusPoints for PQPs to earn toward status at the following rates, with a max of 160 PlusPoints:
- 10 PlusPoints = 100 PQPs
- 20 PlusPoints = 200 PQPs
- 40 PlusPoints = 400 PQPs
- 80 PlusPoints = 800 PQPs
- 100 PlusPoints = 1000 PQPs
- 160 PlusPoints = 1600 PQPs
Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs)
You can redeem PlusPoints for PQFs to earn toward status at the following rates, with a max of 320 PlusPoints:
- 160 PlusPoints = 2 PQFs
- 320 PlusPoints = 4 PQFs
Bonus MileagePlus miles
You can redeem PlusPoints for redeemable MileagePlus miles to use for award flights at the following rates, with a max of 100 PlusPoints:
- 10 PlusPoints = 1,500 MileagePlus Miles
- 20 PlusPoints = 3,000 MileagePlus Miles
- 40 PlusPoints = 6,000 MileagePlus Miles
- 80 PlusPoints = 12,000 MileagePlus Miles
- 100 PlusPoints = 15,000 MileagePlus Miles
TravelBank cash
You can redeem PlusPoints for TravelBank cash — useable for most United purchases and expiring one year after deposit — at the following rates with a max of 100 PlusPoints:
- 10 PlusPoints = $20 TravelBank cash
- 20 PlusPoints = $40 TravelBank cash
- 40 PlusPoints = $80 TravelBank cash
- 80 PlusPoints = $160 TravelBank cash
- 100 PlusPoints = $200 TravelBank cash
Gift Premier status to other MileagePlus members
You can redeem PlusPoints to gift status to other MileagePlus members:
- 40 PlusPoints = Premier Silver status
- 100 PlusPoints = Premier Gold status
- 440 PlusPoints = Premier Platinum status
- 600 PlusPoints = Premier 1K status
You can only exchange PlusPoints up to three times for Silver status, two times for Gold, and once for Platinum or 1K. The gifted status will be good through when the PlusPoints expire. So, PlusPoints earned in 2025 could be exchanged for gifted status through January 31, 2027.
Related: Which United Credit Card Matches Your Style
Our Take
United Airlines is expanding how Premier elites can use their PlusPoints, with five new options now available for exchanges. Members can now redeem PlusPoints for PQPs, PQFs, MileagePlus miles, TravelBank cash, or even to gift elite status. These new uses give members more flexibility, especially for those who struggle to clear upgrades.
That flexibility comes with some key limitations. Members can only exchange PlusPoints earned in 2025 or later — and only until March 31 of the following year. After that, PlusPoints can only be used for upgrades as usual. Plus, there are annual caps on how many PlusPoints you can exchange for each option.
While the new options add value for some members, the rates generally aren’t as lucrative as using PlusPoints for upgrades to Polaris business class. Still, it’s nice to see United offering alternatives so members can avoid letting their PlusPoints expire unused.
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