Summary

  • Elite status with United Airlines MileagePlus includes benefits across all Star Alliance member airlines – such as lounge access, increased luggage allowance, and priority airport handling.
  • MileagePlus status determines Star Alliance status – options range from Silver to Gold, offering different benefits.
  • Despite minimal Star Alliance Silver benefits, Premier Silver with United allows for Group 2 boarding and extra checked bags. Higher levels adds complimentary upgrading.

MileagePlus is the loyalty program of United Airlines. As with all loyalty programs, continued flying (and other activities) will bring elite status. This offers increasing benefits when flying with United Airlines. As United is a member of Star Alliance, elite status also grants an equivalent status with the alliance, giving benefits when traveling with any of the 26 member airlines.

Depending on your level with MileagePlus, you will either receive Star Alliance Silver or Gold status. The benefits of Silver are minimal, but Gold offers excellent benefits such as lounge access, increased luggage allowance, and priority handling at airports.

Elite status with United MileagePlus

There are four status levels with United MileagePlus – Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. Status is awarded based on flying with United and all Star Alliance partner airlines – although credit card spending can make a big difference.

United Airlines Airbus A320 at LAX shutterstock_2475414731

Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock

Premier elite status is awarded based on the number of Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) earned annually. There is a lower PQP requirement for those who meet a Premier Qualifying Flight (PQF) level.

MileagePlus status level

PQPs required

Alternative mix PQPs and PQFs

Premier Silver

5,000 PQPs

4,000 PQPs with 12 PQFs

Premier Gold

10,000 PQPs

8,000 PQPs with 24 PQFs

Premier Platinum

15,000 PQPs

12,000 PQPs with 36 PQFs

Premier 1K

24,000 PQPs

18,000 PQPs with 54 PQFs

Related

The Different Tiers Of United Airlines’ MileagePlus Program

Elite status brings benefits when flying United Airlines and across the Star Alliance.

These MileagePlus statuses give Star Alliance status as follows:

MileagePlus status level

Star Alliance status level

Premier Silver

Silver

Premier Gold

Gold

Premier Platinum

Gold

Premier 1K

Gold

If you need a quick route from other airlines to Star Alliance status, check out the opportunities for status matches.

A screenshot of the logos of all star alliance members. Star Alliance Silver benefits

With Premier Silver status, you will receive Star Alliance Silver status. The benefits here are not great. In fact, they are notable as the lowest among all the alliances at the first level. For comparison, oneworld Ruby (the lowest elite status of three) throws in guaranteed access to business class check-in queues, while SkyTeam Elite (the lower of two tiers) even guarantees priority boarding and an extra checked bag. The only guaranteed benefits of Silver are:

  • Priority reservations waitlisting. Silver status holders receive priority and higher placement on the waitlist for sold-out flights. This is only for paid tickets – there is no priority on offer for sold-out award seats.
  • Priority airport standby. Elite members of silver and higher status will receive priority treatment and listing for flights at the airport. This includes situations where passengers are permitted to stand by for earlier flights, as well as for re-booking in the event of disruption. This is potentially a more useful benefit for more travelers.

Related

Exploring The Perks Of Star Alliance Silver Status

Star Alliance silver status offers minimal entry levels benefits but is relatively easy to earn.

Star Alliance Gold benefits

Things get much more exciting with Star Alliance Gold status, offered to MileagePlus Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K members.

At this level, alliance-wide benefits include:

  • Access to airport lounges, regardless of class of travel. This is certainly business class lounges, but also first class lounges with some airlines. Status includes access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide. These include airline-operated lounges, Star Alliance lounges at some key airports, as well as many third-party lounges.
Lufthansa lounge shutterstock_414483547
  • Additional luggage allowance. Travelers get an additional 20kg (44 lbs) or one extra piece of baggage. Some airlines have a few terms and exceptions with the lowest fares.
  • Priority airport check-in. This includes Gold or business class-specific check-in.
  • Fast track security. This includes ‘Gold Track’ Lanes at select airports.
  • Priority boarding. Gold members will receive an earlier boarding group. They usually board after those with additional needs, top-tier airline members, and first/business class passengers.
  • Priority baggage handling. Bags are specially tagged and, in theory, should receive faster treatment.

Related

The Top 6 Star Alliance Gold Benefits

The benefits can stop passengers from queuing soo much, while making the airport experience more pleasant.

The benefits of status with Star Alliance are very useful for international travel, and this is a major perk of status with MileagePlus. Don’t forget, however, that you will get other benefits on top of this when traveling with United. This is the same with the home airline of any Star Alliance member.

N77012 United Airlines Boeing 777-224(ER)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Despite the minimal benefits of Star Alliance Silver, United MileagePlus Premier Silver will give you Group 2 boarding access and an extra checked bag on all United flights. Moving up to higher levels (equivalent to Star Alliance Silver) adds further checked bags, improved free seating options, complementary domestic first upgrades, and more.

Do you have United MileagePlus Premier Elite status? What do you think of the benefits it offers with United and with Star Alliance? Feel free to discuss in the comments section below.


  • N14106 United Airlines (Her Art Here-California Livery) Boeing 757-224 (1)

  • MileagePlus Tall

    MileagePlus

    Participating Airlines:
    United Airlines

    Owner:
    United Airlines

    Region:
    North America

    Countries:
    United States

    Established Date:
    1981-05-00

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