United Airlines is delivering on its promise to make PlusPoints more flexible for Premier elite members, but this added flexibility comes with significant limitations and costs.
The Chicago-based carrier rolled out the long-anticipated changes on Thursday. The updates, shared via customer emails and previewed exclusively to The Points Guy (TPG), introduce new ways for flyers to use their PlusPoints beyond the traditional flight upgrades.
New Perks for PlusPoints Redemption
Starting with the 2025 status year, United flyers can now exchange PlusPoints for several new perks:
- TravelBank cash
- Bonus miles
- Premier qualifying points (PQPs)
- Gifting Premier status
- Premier qualifying flights (PQFs)
However, these options apply only to PlusPoints earned in 2025 and later. Points earned prior to 2025 remain limited to upgrades only.
Members can mix and match these perks but face a yearly cap of 600 eligible PlusPoints that can be exchanged. Any PlusPoints beyond that must still be used for upgrades. Jill Doyle, managing director of the MileagePlus program, noted that few members earn more than 600 PlusPoints annually.
Strict Deadlines Limit Flexibility
Another key restriction is the exchange deadline. PlusPoints earned in a given year expire after roughly two years, but the window to exchange them for perks closes much earlier — by March 31 of the year before expiration. For example, PlusPoints earned in 2025 expire January 31, 2027, but must be exchanged by March 31, 2026. After that, remaining points can only be used for upgrades.
This early cutoff aims to prevent a surge of last-minute exchanges but limits flexibility for members. Doyle explained that these parameters help United plan for the program’s logistics.
Breakdown of Exchange Rates
- TravelBank Cash: Exchange 10 PlusPoints for $20, up to 100 points ($200 max). TravelBank funds can be used like a gift card on most United flights and expire one year after deposit.
- Bonus Miles: 10 PlusPoints convert to 1,500 MileagePlus miles, up to 100 points (15,000 miles max). Bonus miles do not expire.
- Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs): 10 PlusPoints equal 100 PQPs, with a maximum of 160 points (1,600 PQPs). PQPs count toward elite status qualification.
- Gifting Premier Status: 40 PlusPoints for Silver, 100 for Gold, 440 for Platinum, and 600 for 1K status. There are annual limits on how many gifts can be given per status level. Gifted status lasts until the original points’ expiration date.
- Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs): 160 PlusPoints can be exchanged for 2 PQFs, up to 320 points (4 PQFs max). PQFs also contribute to elite qualification.
Is It a Good Value?
PlusPoints have traditionally offered excellent value when used to upgrade flights, especially on long-haul routes where upgrades can be worth over $1,500. However, many travelers struggle to clear upgrades, especially during busy periods, causing points to expire unused.
The new redemption options provide alternative ways to use PlusPoints instead of losing them entirely, but the value is considerably lower. For example, exchanging 40 PlusPoints yields $80 TravelBank credit or 6,000 bonus miles, roughly worth $80–$81 — far less than the value of an upgrade on a premium flight.
Doyle emphasized the focus on expanding options rather than setting a strict value for PlusPoints, explaining the program aims to benefit customers who rarely get upgrades.
Future of PlusPoints
This overhaul could signal broader changes ahead for United’s PlusPoints program. While Doyle declined to reveal further plans, the discrepancy in value suggests that the days of high-value upgrades at 40 points may be limited.
For now, members must weigh the pros and cons of using PlusPoints for these new perks versus holding out for an upgrade.
