News Brief: United Airlines 2025 Elite Status & Program Updates
Summary
United Airlines will maintain its current requirements to earn elite status for 2025 (effective for 2027 travel), following Delta’s similar decision. However, United is implementing key changes to its “Plus Points” upgrade currency and expanding access to premium cabin awards.
Key Points
- Status Requirements Held Steady: No increase in the spending or flight thresholds to achieve elite status for 2025, a shift from recent years of raising bars.
- Dynamic Plus Points: The value of Plus Points (used for upgrades by top-tier elites) will shift from a fixed mileage chart to dynamic pricing based on demand starting in 2027.
- New Ways to Earn Plus Points: Top-tier 1K members will be able to earn Plus Points through spending on United co-branded credit cards starting next year.
- Increased Award Access: Elite members and United Chase cardholders will get better access to “Polaris Saver Award” fares for business class.
- Industry Context: Airlines balance lucrative loyalty programs with overcrowded elite perks. United believes its current status levels are “at the right level” to ensure upgrade benefits remain valuable.
新闻简报：美联航2025年精英会籍与常旅客计划更新
摘要
美联航将维持其2025年精英会籍的获取要求（适用于2027年旅行），此举紧随达美航空之后。然而，美联航对其”Plus Points”升级积分体系进行了关键调整，并扩大了高级舱位奖励机票的获取渠道。
关键要点
- 会籍要求保持不变：2025年获取精英会籍的消费或飞行门槛没有提高，这与近年来不断提高门槛的做法不同。
- Plus Points动态定价：用于顶级精英会员升级的”Plus Points”积分，将从2027年起由固定的里程兑换表改为基于需求的动态定价。
- 获取Plus Points的新途径：从明年起，顶级1K会员可通过美联航联名信用卡消费来赚取Plus Points。
- 增加奖励机票机会：精英会员和美联航大通信用卡持卡人将获得更多”北极星商务舱超值奖励机票”的预订机会。
- 行业背景：航空公司在利润丰厚的常旅客计划与过度拥挤的精英福利之间寻求平衡。美联航认为其当前会籍水平”处于恰当水平”，能确保升级福利保持价值。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/united-airlines-mileage-plus-frequent-flyer-changes.html