If you travel a lot internationally, Star Alliance Gold is a HUGE benefit and is worth more than Premier Gold domestic benefits IMO. Excellent lounge access in almost any major international airport.
Totally agree! When I'm in Europe I usually try to get some cross Europe flights in on Lufthansa to get PQP credits that in some cases are 2x the dollars spent on the flight.
The top tier Chase United cards allow you to earn max 10K PQPs. I have the Presidential Plus (legacy card) which you did not mention. Also allows max of 10K PQPs with 200K spend. Meaning that If I complete the 54 segments I only need to spend $6750 on those 54 flights to get to 18K PQP and renew my 1K status. (18K required - 1250 starter PQP deposit -10000 United card PQP = 6750). Manufactured spend gives you this possibility. Not sure if you mention in your video that there is a cap on the top tier cards (including my legacy card) of 10K PQPs. Basically getting 1K status at more or less 38% of cost.
I just updated my united airlines explorer card to the united airlines quest card because I feel that you can get better states on the quest card over the explorer card.
🃏 A few hours ago I bought a cheap economy ticket (K) LAX to Kona, Hawaii for today, and was immediately upgraded to First (PZ). Platinum status occasionally gets upgrades, even on last-minute Hawaii routes.
how about going after United silver by getting the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and getting additional 50 nights credit to get to 75 (Titanium Elite).. or will be better going directly with United 12 PQF + 4000 PQP? 🃏
I'm a low class United member with Explorer card. I was offered an invite to attaine Silver status membership for a certain cash fee. I did not take it because I would never reap any benefits because I know there are a ton of other flyers who have much higher status and I would never get moved up in seat ranking. Plus I don't fly enough to be able to keep Silver. 😔
Since achieving MileagePlus Premier Silver status, I have been upgraded to first class twice. Both times were on my shortest flight out of the three segments each way. I hope this helps.
@@Thodav798 ok...interesting...good that it worked for ya. I'm just skeptical about forking over more money that's hard earned for a status...ya know know?
@@DavidRodriguez-ou9fy I do not recommend purchasing a Premier status, especially since you do not fly often. Purchasing status only gets you additional benefits. Whereas purchasing trips will not only get you status, but it is also a getaway from the monotony of everyday life. I earned mine by traveling multiple times (2x) to the US for work, each trip consisted of 6 flights roundtrip. On my third trip back to the US I was upgraded twice, but this was in large part due to the fact that I had less competition (other MileagePlus members) based off the airport/area I departed from.
As silver status through Marriott at the counter I was Upgraded on a Copa flight to business. All they asked was if I had status with another alliance airline.
Thanks for the information. I was on the fence for pursuing United status & getting one of their cards. Learning the high requirements lets me know that getting one of their cards will not help. 🃏
Get a sales job that pays you to fly. If you’re lucky you might even get Global Services and won’t spend a cent of your own money. I am 1K and it’s not worth it. Miles are devalued and upgrades rarely clear on popular routes . Just get a Chase/United Credit card and you’re boarding Group 2. You will still have space for your carry on.
hi Sebby, for the WOH business card, can I book 2 separate rooms & check out the 2 rooms on the same date and would that trigger the two $50 hotel credit? or do I need to check out the 2nd room the next day? thanks
Is there a way to earn 2000 PQP besides flying by year end? I’ve reached my max 1000 pqps on my explorer card. I’ll easily spend over $2k it worth it to open another card?
The United Presidential cards are the ones that got away. They were discontinued as I was learning more about the miles game. I got the mileage plus card because at that time I couldn'tunderstanda higheraf card, even so I just used the mileage plus for 10yrs to the tune of acculating 500K miles
I made gold last year due to spend for work. That prompted me to swap out my WN CC for the Explorer. I have used my 2 club passes already this year and used points for 2 flights. I am definitely working the system🃏
🃏 My “home” international airports are SFO and EWR, so both of them are United hubs. I keep looking at status but if it weren’t for my family I’d never be able to manage the spend or the flights. Using OAK or SJC and flying WN usually makes more economic sense, as does using my CSR for PriorityPass. We used to be Continental ride-or-dies. I miss them. This is a bigger but more hollow shell of what they were.
I applied for a United Business card less than a year ago and received the sign up bonus. Am I eligible for a Sign up bonus if i get the United Club Infinite card?
I had 1k two years ago and all of last year. Only made gold for 2024. By far the best part of 1k was pre-boarding. I’m going to need to switch my spend to the United club card I think to ramp things up
Restricting pre-board to 1K members seems INSANE to me. I fly in/out of SFO to Asia ~4x/mo, and fly a variety of airlines. So many other carriers give pre-board perqs at much lower levels (e.g. China Air @Gold level).
Hi. Thanks for creating all useful content! One question. I’ve already bought my united ticket by capital one card. And if I apply untied credit card now, am I eligible for free 2nd checked in bag for the flight that I paid by Captial One credit card?
If you have the United Club Card do u have access to all Star Alliance/Star Alliance Gold lounges? or do you need United Premier Gold as well? Such as if I want access to the LAX Star Alliance lounge?
If your MileagePlus credit card grants you complimentary access to United Lounges, then you will also be granted complimentary access to participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide.
I'm interested in paid upgrade to Polaris on international flights (for example $550 + 30K miles one-way). Does member status/tier make a significant difference in successfully getting the upgrade?
Your worksheets are great but unsure how you can spend your way to 1K status. The top business card limits you to 1,000 PQP to year so how would spending $480,000 on a business card get you to the 1K level. I just talked to Chase and they confirmed this. What am I missing?
🃏 Another great video Seb! I’m based out of ORD and don’t chase after United status, instead I chase after AA status. I find AA status to be much easier to earn and I value it more than United status. I’d only chase after United status as secondary if it were easy to earn like AA.
Great information even though I don’t have an interest in airline cards. I rather use my Amex business platinum or my Chase Ink business premier cards business travels. Keep up the good work and have a great evening. 👍🏿✌️
✈️ Have the United Explorer for decades (Newark used to be our main airport). Looked into status. No intention to fly or spend my way there. Not viable for current travel & normal spend.
You could pay $599 for economy plus subscription and get economy plus seats for you and anyone who books with you on all united flights. So chasing status isn’t really worth it. What are you getting with silver that you won’t get with the subscription? 1 free luggage? Get the United card which gives you 2 free checked bags…
@@iGimmie it’s 599 a year. I’m not sure about basic economy you may have to book regular economy to get the economy plus seats. You can look it up, it’s called united “economy plus subscription”
I've been wondering the same thing, and haven't been able (yet) to find an answer. United just offered me the "United Plus Subscription" ($599 domestic, $699 US +Hawaii, or $799 global) but for the life of me, I can't decipher what the subscription actually gets you. If it means that for 12 months you can upgrade your Economy ticket to the Premium Economy seat, I'd be ALL I, because that would be a bargain on the long-haul flights I take to/from Asia /US.
🃏 I'm really torn between trying to keep pursuing delta status or switch to UA/star alliance. This video was really helpful! The only reason I think it's worthwhile is because the airport I fly the most to is a star alliance hub. I'm not expecting upgrades but having lounge access would be nice :D
🃏 What about challenges, to upgrade faster…. They give you a pedido to accomplishing that . I did one from AA, long time ago, I won elite platinum, because we go, around the world, so if I didn’t have the point the next year, they down grade one status, only
The United Club Business card not getting more than 1k PQP in a year while the regular club does 10k in a year is maniacally bullshit IMO. I'd easily switch my main business credit card if I could guarantee platinum that easily.
United status is boo boo. Not worth it. They are the budget airline of the big 3. Been a member of UA for almost 26 years and 1k for over a decade. Don't waste your money. Also, you are better off buying what you want. I have 1k status and barely get upgrades. Don't waste your time
Hi Seb! Great video. I’ve been searching forever for a video to figure out what’s best for my situation. I fly every two weeks for work but I have to use a company card. If I hear you correctly, United is the best for status based on loyalty and not credit card spend?
United has the best pilots, most are retired military. Compared to some other airlines which make their pilots from an assembly line with no prior flying experience like Korean air etc.. not sure what you are babbling about here…
💳 Sebby's Business Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/business
I was on a plane for most of my 30s for work, and now have lifetime platinum… which is pretty cool in hindsight.
Nice!
If you travel a lot internationally, Star Alliance Gold is a HUGE benefit and is worth more than Premier Gold domestic benefits IMO. Excellent lounge access in almost any major international airport.
Totally agree! When I'm in Europe I usually try to get some cross Europe flights in on Lufthansa to get PQP credits that in some cases are 2x the dollars spent on the flight.
You are absolutely correct.
Can you make this for Delta and American??
Soon!
The top tier Chase United cards allow you to earn max 10K PQPs. I have the Presidential Plus (legacy card) which you did not mention. Also allows max of 10K PQPs with 200K spend. Meaning that If I complete the 54 segments I only need to spend $6750 on those 54 flights to get to 18K PQP and renew my 1K status. (18K required - 1250 starter PQP deposit -10000 United card PQP = 6750). Manufactured spend gives you this possibility. Not sure if you mention in your video that there is a cap on the top tier cards (including my legacy card) of 10K PQPs. Basically getting 1K status at more or less 38% of cost.
I just updated my united airlines explorer card to the united airlines quest card because I feel that you can get better states on the quest card over the explorer card.
How is that process? Did you cancel your explorer card first? Or do they just upgrade you as per request?
@JoelBarrera15 I converted the united airlines explorer card to the united airlines quest card
@@JoelBarrera15he means product change via request from chase
🃏 A few hours ago I bought a cheap economy ticket (K) LAX to Kona, Hawaii for today, and was immediately upgraded to First (PZ). Platinum status occasionally gets upgrades, even on last-minute Hawaii routes.
You did a great job explaining a very complicated program
Thanks :)
how about going after United silver by getting the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and getting additional 50 nights credit to get to 75 (Titanium Elite).. or will be better going directly with United 12 PQF + 4000 PQP? 🃏
I'm a low class United member with Explorer card. I was offered an invite to attaine Silver status membership for a certain cash fee. I did not take it because I would never reap any benefits because I know there are a ton of other flyers who have much higher status and I would never get moved up in seat ranking. Plus I don't fly enough to be able to keep Silver. 😔
United sent me an offer to upgrade to from Gold to Platinum. I think they want $6k.
@@michaels1761 $6K...Yikes! Is your Gold status pretty good where you fly from?
Since achieving MileagePlus Premier Silver status, I have been upgraded to first class twice. Both times were on my shortest flight out of the three segments each way. I hope this helps.
@@Thodav798 ok...interesting...good that it worked for ya. I'm just skeptical about forking over more money that's hard earned for a status...ya know know?
@@DavidRodriguez-ou9fy I do not recommend purchasing a Premier status, especially since you do not fly often. Purchasing status only gets you additional benefits. Whereas purchasing trips will not only get you status, but it is also a getaway from the monotony of everyday life. I earned mine by traveling multiple times (2x) to the US for work, each trip consisted of 6 flights roundtrip. On my third trip back to the US I was upgraded twice, but this was in large part due to the fact that I had less competition (other MileagePlus members) based off the airport/area I departed from.
As silver status through Marriott at the counter I was Upgraded on a Copa flight to business. All they asked was if I had status with another alliance airline.
Thanks for the information. I was on the fence for pursuing United status & getting one of their cards. Learning the high requirements lets me know that getting one of their cards will not help. 🃏
Does anybody know if the same day stand-by changes also works for international flights?
Great video concept! This would be an amazing series! Please do one for JAL
I wish you show us how we could exactly book flights with Amex points step by step etc
He not trying to get his method nerfed. Bffr 😂
@@iGimmiemaybe true - one can hope , for sure I’m not alone who watching different TH-camrs because of that …
Need this for Delta/American!
Soon!
Get a sales job that pays you to fly. If you’re lucky you might even get Global Services and won’t spend a cent of your own money. I am 1K and it’s not worth it. Miles are devalued and upgrades rarely clear on popular routes . Just get a Chase/United Credit card and you’re boarding Group 2. You will still have space for your carry on.
hi Sebby, for the WOH business card, can I book 2 separate rooms & check out the 2 rooms on the same date and would that trigger the two $50 hotel credit? or do I need to check out the 2nd room the next day? thanks
I believe premier gold only has lounge access on international flights.
Correct
Is there a way to earn 2000 PQP besides flying by year end? I’ve reached my max 1000 pqps on my explorer card. I’ll easily spend over $2k it worth it to open another card?
The United Presidential cards are the ones that got away. They were discontinued as I was learning more about the miles game. I got the mileage plus card because at that time I couldn'tunderstanda higheraf card, even so I just used the mileage plus for 10yrs to the tune of acculating 500K miles
Thanks Sebby! This vid def helped your fellow SF United-hub-er lol
I just got the Explorer card as a United newbie.
Glad I could help!
I made gold last year due to spend for work. That prompted me to swap out my WN CC for the Explorer. I have used my 2 club passes already this year and used points for 2 flights. I am definitely working the system🃏
🃏 My “home” international airports are SFO and EWR, so both of them are United hubs. I keep looking at status but if it weren’t for my family I’d never be able to manage the spend or the flights. Using OAK or SJC and flying WN usually makes more economic sense, as does using my CSR for PriorityPass.
We used to be Continental ride-or-dies. I miss them. This is a bigger but more hollow shell of what they were.
I applied for a United Business card less than a year ago and received the sign up bonus. Am I eligible for a Sign up bonus if i get the United Club Infinite card?
I had 1k two years ago and all of last year. Only made gold for 2024. By far the best part of 1k was pre-boarding. I’m going to need to switch my spend to the United club card I think to ramp things up
Restricting pre-board to 1K members seems INSANE to me. I fly in/out of SFO to Asia ~4x/mo, and fly a variety of airlines. So many other carriers give pre-board perqs at much lower levels (e.g. China Air @Gold level).
Hi. Thanks for creating all useful content! One question. I’ve already bought my united ticket by capital one card. And if I apply untied credit card now, am I eligible for free 2nd checked in bag for the flight that I paid by Captial
One credit card?
How to you do the status match if you have delta?
If you have the United Club Card do u have access to all Star Alliance/Star Alliance Gold lounges? or do you need United Premier Gold as well? Such as if I want access to the LAX Star Alliance lounge?
If your MileagePlus credit card grants you complimentary access to United Lounges, then you will also be granted complimentary access to participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide.
I'm interested in paid upgrade to Polaris on international flights (for example $550 + 30K miles one-way). Does member status/tier make a significant difference in successfully getting the upgrade?
No I think it based on availability. American has the same upgrade option. $300 plus 25K points
Silver status has been really great for me. Almost always get economy plus aisle seat flying out or SFO and checking in a bag for free
Your worksheets are great but unsure how you can spend your way to 1K status. The top business card limits you to 1,000 PQP to year so how would spending $480,000 on a business card get you to the 1K level. I just talked to Chase and they confirmed this. What am I missing?
such an informative video! Thank you for this breakdown!
🃏 Another great video Seb! I’m based out of ORD and don’t chase after United status, instead I chase after AA status. I find AA status to be much easier to earn and I value it more than United status. I’d only chase after United status as secondary if it were easy to earn like AA.
Smart!
Great information even though I don’t have an interest in airline cards. I rather use my Amex business platinum or my Chase Ink business premier cards business travels. Keep up the good work and have a great evening. 👍🏿✌️
How do those cards you mentioned handle baggage fees?
✈️ Have the United Explorer for decades (Newark used to be our main airport). Looked into status. No intention to fly or spend my way there. Not viable for current travel & normal spend.
This was a great video
You could pay $599 for economy plus subscription and get economy plus seats for you and anyone who books with you on all united flights. So chasing status isn’t really worth it. What are you getting with silver that you won’t get with the subscription? 1 free luggage? Get the United card which gives you 2 free checked bags…
Is that 599 the whole year? And is it just the seats or you can book economy plus for basic economy price? (meaning I get the carry on bag)
@@iGimmie it’s 599 a year. I’m not sure about basic economy you may have to book regular economy to get the economy plus seats. You can look it up, it’s called united “economy plus subscription”
I've been wondering the same thing, and haven't been able (yet) to find an answer. United just offered me the "United Plus Subscription" ($599 domestic, $699 US +Hawaii, or $799 global) but for the life of me, I can't decipher what the subscription actually gets you. If it means that for 12 months you can upgrade your Economy ticket to the Premium Economy seat, I'd be ALL I, because that would be a bargain on the long-haul flights I take to/from Asia /US.
Keep up the good work Mr. Sebby. Love your work!!
Thank you!
🃏 I'm really torn between trying to keep pursuing delta status or switch to UA/star alliance. This video was really helpful! The only reason I think it's worthwhile is because the airport I fly the most to is a star alliance hub. I'm not expecting upgrades but having lounge access would be nice :D
Thank you. My main routes are United hubs so valuable info.
w Sebby triple upload
It's been a long day @_@
I ONLY fly United. Out of Newark. It’s the one thing that dislike re: Amex. No direct transfer to United.
I really want to earn Star Alliance Gold at some point, but I'm worried that chasing status might be too expensive for me
just get the United Club card.
@@andysok06 I got the United Business card recently to try it out
🃏 What about challenges, to upgrade faster…. They give you a pedido to accomplishing that . I did one from AA, long time ago, I won elite platinum, because we go, around the world, so if I didn’t have the point the next year, they down grade one status, only
🃏 great video
The United Club Business card not getting more than 1k PQP in a year while the regular club does 10k in a year is maniacally bullshit IMO. I'd easily switch my main business credit card if I could guarantee platinum that easily.
Lavina Light
🃏 Thanks.
30% apr on this card and my credit score is 790. No thank you..
❤
I have 1+MM lifetime miles on UA and 5+MM miles on AA. United treats me better. Go figure...
🎉
United status is boo boo. Not worth it. They are the budget airline of the big 3. Been a member of UA for almost 26 years and 1k for over a decade. Don't waste your money. Also, you are better off buying what you want. I have 1k status and barely get upgrades. Don't waste your time
Dang, which airport are you based out of?
@@AskSebbyBusiness ORD
🤡🤡 Joker card 🤡🤡 Great video my friend...
Hi Seb! Great video. I’ve been searching forever for a video to figure out what’s best for my situation. I fly every two weeks for work but I have to use a company card. If I hear you correctly, United is the best for status based on loyalty and not credit card spend?
🃏🃏🃏
Sounds way too complicated. not even going to try
🃏
Definitely not flying United ‘Diversity Equality Inclusion is the most important of our hiring process for pilots going forward’ Airlines. Nope.
Yeah it’s getting pretty crazy. Don’t blame you.
Snowflakes
Funny asf
United has the best pilots, most are retired military. Compared to some other airlines which make their pilots from an assembly line with no prior flying experience like Korean air etc.. not sure what you are babbling about here…
Tell me you’re white without telling me you’re white
🃏🃏🃏Very helpful overview for United. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
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