United Keeps 2027 Elite Thresholds Unchanged While Adjusting Plus Points and Access

United Airlines will maintain the same elite frequent‑flyer qualification requirements for next year, matching Delta Air Lines’ decision to hold thresholds steady after raising them for 2025.

Airlines have increased the criteria for top‑tier status in recent years. Those tiers confer benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades when available, waived baggage fees and lounge access. The retention of status for many travelers since the pandemic has expanded the pool of elites, contributing to fuller priority boarding groups, while growth in premium credit‑card membership has at times produced longer lounge lines than security queues.

Executives point to a rising propensity among passengers to purchase premium seats, which reduces the inventory available for complimentary upgrades—a key motivator for status seekers. Luc Bondar, president of United’s MileagePlus program, said the program appears more balanced now. “When you have benefits like upgrades, if everyone has status, then … fewer and fewer customers are going to get access to upgrades,” he said. “We feel good that they’re at the right level.”

Some adjustments will apply to status earned next year and used for travel in 2027. United will change how PlusPoints—the currency awarded to top Platinum and 1K elites in addition to standard miles—are redeemed. The current fixed‑chart approach, which assigns set PlusPoint amounts to specific cabins including Polaris long‑haul business class, will move in 2027 to dynamic pricing tied to demand. United will also allow 1K members to earn PlusPoints through spending on co‑branded credit cards.

The airline said status holders and United Chase cardmembers will gain expanded access to Polaris Saver Award fares, which the carrier expects will simplify premium‑cabin booking. Loyalty programs remain a significant revenue source for airlines, in part because carriers sell miles to banks that issue co‑branded cards.

Last year United raised the spending thresholds required to attain elite status for 2026 by roughly 25%, linking qualification to either co‑branded card spending or a combination of flying and spending. Delta announced last week that it will keep its earning requirements unchanged for 2027 status.

American Airlines has not announced changes to its elite thresholds for this year. The carrier, which trails Delta and United in profitability, is targeting higher‑spend customers through cabin and lounge enhancements; however, competitors’ decisions to hold requirements steady may increase pressure on American to follow suit.