How to Get United Status FASTER ✈️

Want to know how to get United Airlines upgrades sooner and how to get United premier status faster? Free United upgrades to first class and free lounge access are just a couple of the perks! Traveling with airline status makes life better. Get status sooner with just a couple small adjustments to your current travel plans and your day-to-day spending on groceries.
🔴 Why not subscribe? 👉 bit.ly/BirchFinance
🕑 Nobody has time to scrub 🕘
00:00 - Start
00:36 - Time to Commit
01:04 - Breakdown of United Status Tiers
01:44 - What are PQF and PQP?
02:31 - You Want at Least Gold Status
03:20 - Star Alliance
04:17 - Lounge Life Sneak Peek
04:56 - Loophole #1 More PQF
08:47 - Loophole #2 Intro
08:58 - Loophole #2 Faster PQP
10:46 - Explorer Card $95
12:05 - Quest Card $250
13:13 - Infinite Card $525
14:30 - Peanut Butter and Jelly
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💥 Action Cam - Quick, Simple, High Quality - amzn.to/3QIBPXt (Amazon)

[@BirchFinance]

💥UPDATE: Great news for 2024! First of all, 2024 Premier status qualifications will remain the same as 2023 🙌. Unlike last year, United did NOT increase the requirements. Also, United card members will now earn 25 PQP for every $500 in qualifying card purchases 📈. This means you can earn PQP faster and more frequently! ✅ 🤷‍♂️ Why not subscribe? 👉 bit.ly/BirchFinance

[@user-zx1ip8mk8y]

500 PQP-- That's a joke, but I guess it's better than nothing.

[@BirchFinance]

United are sticklers with that PQP, true. But like you said, also better than nothing @@user-zx1ip8mk8y

[@dinguskaan]

Want United Status? Here's an easier way: Get a corporate sales job.

[@BirchFinance]

You’re hired! 😎

[@jamezzy01]

Just got a United Explorer card. I’ll DEFINITELY start using it in this way. Thanks dude!

[@BirchFinance]

Awesome. Make the system work for you!

[@WORDMAN713]

Amazing edits along with great information.

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks so much! 🙏Those edits were, we'll say, a "labor of love." I'm glad you found the info helpful! Cheers!

[@RohanMahadev]

great video! glad I bumped into this right before I booked a flight!

[@BirchFinance]

Just in the nick of time 😅 Glad you enjoyed it! Safe flight!

[@rubenvf9772]

Great video sir!!!! Keep doing them

[@BirchFinance]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the note! Will do!

[@linkzinvest]

The editing was A1...very nice video.

[@BirchFinance]

Wow, thanks so much! It took for-ev-er to put together so I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@AnthonyBove]

Great first video man!!!! Subscribed

[@BirchFinance]

Much appreciated and glad you liked it! Thanks so much for the support! 🙏

[@tunganna1639]

Very good and useful video!!!

[@BirchFinance]

So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

[@reyshah426]

This was funny af, subbed.

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks, man! 👊 🙏

[@chrisoverbey5937]

This is a really well-done video

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you letting me know and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Travelnomad2025]

This video is awesome 😎

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks for the note and glad to hear you enjoyed it!! 😁

[@rstevens2112]

IAH denizen here...getting the heck out of Houston in summer is one of my prime motivators! Subscribed.

[@BirchFinance]

Haha! I love the city's character, but that summer heat is no joke. I appreciate your support for the channel!

[@rford1971]

Lounge Love your format and humor

[@BirchFinance]

Awesome, glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback. The lounge video is made and up on the channel! Here's a shortcut - hope you enjoy it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_Kn2Rvarl8pdk

[@ramseyrangel44]

Enjoyed the video… I love me some PB&J and that PQP🥳

[@BirchFinance]

Haha! Yes! You and me both 👊

[@JM-gc8fn]

Great video and you’re not bad on the eyes 🌶️ 🔥 💨

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks! x2; glad you enjoyed the video!

[@bobcoradini8610]

Congratulations on your United status. . nice job with vid and sharing insights. United is the BEST and Newark is not bad. . .especially with United Club Access and two terminals (Terminal A and C) with airside bus!!! Keep up the good work and enjoy the friendly skies!

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks for the nice note and kind words! Glad you enjoyed the video. I'm quite partial toward United as well, but really just haven't had as much opportunity to fly the other airlines. Travel safe and thanks for stopping by the channel!

[@cameronvonk7235]

love EWR but im weird i guess! @@BirchFinance

[@BirchFinance]

No judgement here! To each is own. EWR could use the love. @@cameronvonk7235

[@ModernMoneyHabits]

I’ve been hanging with Amex and Delta for many years. Well I think it’s time to see what else is out there. Hello Chase and United. Also, Hello to you new random channel that showed up in my feed today.😂 Just subbed!

[@BirchFinance]

Switching it up is a good thing - keeps life interesting! Although, I've heard good things about that Amex/Delta combo. Also, hello to you! Welcome to the team, glad to have you on board! 😄

[@Thecreditcardconnection]

Hi Brian, This was a very cool video! Congrats on the new card! I really appreciate the info on the Venture X. I’m still waiting on pulling the trigger because I opened up a lot of cards this year. But my Fico is 834. I just don’t want a hard pull and get denied! lol. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@BirchFinance]

Hey Joe, glad you liked the video! Regarding the other video on Capital One Venture X: I've been running with the Venture X for almost a few years now and it's been great for my needs. Sounds like you have quite the credit card collection, best of luck. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

[@kevinkhor100893]

something about you presenting PQF and PQP while slathering a piece of bread with jello is satisfying.

[@BirchFinance]

Haha! Glad you liked it! The thought process was this: my script says I need to talk about PQF next, but I’m also hungry. 2 birds, 1 stone.

[@get2dachoppa249]

I’m a returning United customer this year after a 13 yr break mainly because 1. They restarted the Dubai-Newark route, and Polaris business is way cheaper than any of the eye-wateringly expensive business class prices the middle eastern airlines are charging on their US routes 2. UA’s mainland Asia & Pacific Island coverage has all the places I need to go like Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Japan, etc. It only took 3 flights to go from zero to Silver (long haul, 13-15 hr transoceanic flights), and gold should be in pocket with one more trans-Atlantic trip for the holidays. The mileage multiplier is what I’m primarily after since all the other benefits are included with business class tickets. Silver status did come in handy last month however when Guam was put on a typhoon warning, so I changed my plans to leave before it made landfall. The biz seats were all sold out, so I went premium Econ. I wasn’t charged for either bag, and I boarded with group 2, and earned 5x miles on that 3.5 hr flight to Narita.

[@BirchFinance]

For starters, love your handle 🚁. Also, welcome to Silver! With those long transoceanic flights you'll be firmly in Gold status in no time. That mileage multiplier is definitely helpful. Hopefully the upgrades will start rolling in for you when you hit gold. Safe travels and thanks for sharing your experience. Very interesting about the Dubai-Newark route and hope you were able to hit a sushi-go-round or two in Japan 🇯🇵

[@114D]

Learn how to create paragraphs.

[@get2dachoppa249]

@@114D I dumb it down for readers such as yourself.

[@wilfredpapaya4739]

Okay that Scott! Placement was good 😂

[@BirchFinance]

Haha! Gotta try to keep it light! 😄

[@onocoffee]

For years, I used the Explorer's Card to hit the qualifying spend by using as my business card (this is before the shuffle in 2019 to the current system). But this year, I made 1MM and now I no longer have to worry about hitting status.

[@BirchFinance]

Awesome, congrats! That is no small feat! 👍

[@michaelthomas7408]

Such an awesome video with great info, loved the editing too! 😁

[@BirchFinance]

Glad you found it helpful! And thanks for the compliment, it was certainly a labor of love! 😅

[@iGimmie]

This is so good if this was actually your first video

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks so much! I've dabbled in video creation as a hobby (not my day job) but, yes, this is my "published" video. Still plenty of room for improvement, and I certainly appreciate the kind words🙏🙂!

[@solsticebaby]

Dude. The Frau Farbisina scream killed me.

[@BirchFinance]

It gets me every time. Double bonus point for knowing her full name!

[@luisperu9]

Great video and Info. I assume Delta must have something similar with their AMEX co-branded cards.

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks man! I would assume Delta’s is quite similar, although have not done a deep dive on it yet!

[@evandrinks]

There actually is a Stat Alliance Silver. I have it currently from Turkish Airlines so I get United group 2 boarding, and a few other minor benefits.

[@BirchFinance]

Good to know, thanks for sharing! United group 2 ain't bad at all...things get dicey when you're in group 5/6

[@UnderMyPalm]

Newark: home to one of uniteds two clubs that dont suck. How to avoid it by spending more money. Awesome video.

[@BirchFinance]

I was unaware of that United Club hidden gem at EWR. Good to know! Newark just went up a peg in my book!

[@elisem11]

What’s wrong with Newark? You can fly anywhere from Newark!

[@BirchFinance]

EWR has it's own character; somewhat of an acquired taste perhaps. The ability to fly anywhere else is certainly a perk! :)

[@tinnguyenmd]

Great video in terms of content, editing and engagement. Thanks for making the video! 1) Can you comment here or make a video breaking down all the flights you took and the credit card spending required for to get your platinum status? 2) I don’t think you said this in the video, but status only lasts for the year you qualify and the year after. Do you have a strategy to requalify the following year without the sign on credit card PQP bonuses?

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks for the note! All of my PQP & PQF came from (1) actual flights, and (2) some "bonus" PQP from having status the previous year. The bonus PQP was not a huge bump, but a little help nonetheless. There were three US/Europe roundtrips that definitely helped with accrual. You are correct, status is only good for the year that you earn it and the following year. Requalifying can be a chore, which is why I would recommend (if possible) timing your United Credit card spending so that you obtain status near the beginning of the year to maximize the duration of having status - if that makes sense?

[@tinnguyenmd]

@@BirchFinanceyes that makes a lot of sense. How many of those little “mileage runs” you mentioned in the video did you have to do on top of the transatlantic flights?

[@BirchFinance]

@@tinnguyenmd Good question. Hard to say; I'd have to do a deep dive into my United App. But I think a good estimate is one or two per month. A flight every 3 weeks is probably fairly accurate. Hope this helps!

[@johntbell]

Chasing status on your own dime is ridiculous. For most casual flyers, just pay to upgrade which is cheaper than chasing status and you get the same experience.

[@BirchFinance]

Agreed, if the casual traveler can afford the upgrade, it is definitely the easy button to enjoy the perks.

[@benlychee]

Does your premiere status reset every year? Or do you maintain silver once you reach it?

[@BirchFinance]

You keep status for the year that you earn it and also the entire following year. Say you earn gold (or any) status in August 2024. You'll keep gold for the rest of 2024 and all of 2025. It will reset in Jan of 2026 unless you re-earn it during 2025.

[@SKS8080]

One time UC passes are useless considering the extreme overcrowding. United as a sign out 99% of time saying the passes aren’t welcome.

[@BirchFinance]

It’s been a good 9 months since I’ve been in a UC, bummer to hear they are so crowded now. Hopefully there are still some good ones out there.

[@dex6947]

Newark native here. Our airport sucks, but it’s convenient!!! 😅

[@BirchFinance]

😁 It gets the job done. If/when they finish all that construction I'm sure it will be great! 🤞

[@justcallmebon2684]

I don’t know why but I don’t hate EWR. I like it better than most other airports that I arrive in.

[@BirchFinance]

I wouldn't say I "hate" EWR. I've just had some less-than-desirable connection experiences. There are certainly worse airports... 🫣 @@justcallmebon2684

[@aligjenna]

Great video. Just one comment. The Infinite card will not give access to ANY United lounge. To enter the United Polaris lounge for international flights, you need to have a Business/First class ticket....unless that changed recently.

[@BirchFinance]

Great point. Definitely a nuance I missed. I had the good fortune of visiting the SFO Polaris lounge...must say, it was amazing.

[@EnglishStateofMind]

What if 2 people fly? would it help to get PQF points faster? Also, you can do a status match to UA. I have gold status with Emirates and United matched it for 3 months, to keep it for a year need PQP and PQF - trying to figure out the best way to get those :)

[@BirchFinance]

Great questions! Unfortunately status cannot be accumulated and shared between two travelers. Each person can only accrue PQP and PQF for themselves. I'm glad to hear United matched your Emirates status because Emirates is not one of the airlines they publish on their website. Timing is everything. Hopefully you have a few big trips coming up so you can accrue enough PQP and PQF retain gold status for the remainder of the year (and, because its after July, all of next year!). Best of luck and safe travels! ✈️

[@EnglishStateofMind]

@@BirchFinance thank you!

[@abhijitsen7749]

I wish I could give you 2 high fives. Or 1 High ten? I also pressed like.

[@BirchFinance]

Awesome! Much appreciated! Right back at ya... 🖐️ 👍

[@isthe3rd167]

Dude,why you taking a shot a Newark? 😄

[@BirchFinance]

Man, it just slipped out. Just the airport, not the people. Hopefully when the construction gets finished it will level up! 😆🚀

[@RCJH2022]

If you aren't a business traveler the PQP qualifiers for united are ROUGH. Even with the credit card.

[@BirchFinance]

True! If you're just an occasional vacation flier, the airlines don't make it easy to get status!

[@RCJH2022]

@@BirchFinance Not easy at all. I'm wondering if there is an easier way to get (And Keep) gold status on another airline and use that to get star alliance gold. I've been digging if you find something pleas share! haha

[@BirchFinance]

@RCHJ2022 I think we’ll find it next to the fountain of youth

[@jonathanfactor6688]

Lounge right now I am getting ready to upgrade my explorer card to the united airlines quest card because I have over 5000 miles on united airlines and I feel that you can get better states on the quest card over the explorer card

[@BirchFinance]

Hey Jonathan, here's some info on lounges if you're interested! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_Kn2Rvarl8pdk If you think you can squeeze out better benefits with the quest over the explorer, go for it!

[@jonathanfactor6688]

I just updated my united airlines explorer card the quest card because I feel that you can get better states on the quest card over the explorer card

[@BirchFinance]

Probably a good call if you're spending and traveling enough! Good luck!

[@masonyan897]

Based SEA, Can you make a video about Delta?

[@BirchFinance]

Happy to...putting it in the queue!

[@rayfengli]

I can’t find anyone who’s funnier than you. Love this channel. Pls pls keep making videos

[@BirchFinance]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy the channel. I'd submit there are TONS of people funner than me, but I'm happy to hear my humor resonates! Cheers!

[@adamr8628]

United airlines could stop charging for economy seats, like aisle seats. There never used to be fees for economy. Stop putting 99 year old frail ladies in the exit row just because they paid extra. They aren't rescuing anyone in an emergency. Here's an idea, allow first responders to sit there for free. They serve the public and they are trained for rescue. It would be a nice thank you to them. Instead of the airline just being more and more greedy and putting money over safety.

[@BirchFinance]

Can't say I disagree

[@kimgrod]

Lounge

[@BirchFinance]

I got your back, Kim! Lounge video is right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_Kn2Rvarl8pdk Hope you like it! 🥳

[@amritraisingh]

What about flying with family

[@BirchFinance]

Flying with family how so?

[@retiredgamer1135]

This is so redundant and full of unnecessary fillers. The information isn't even good. For anyone peeking in the comment section, there are only 2 ways to get PQP fast. PQP is entirely based on fare price if you book with UA, $1 = 1 PQP. One, you speed run an international full fare Polaris round trip, it will cost 10k but you instantly get Gold at 10k PQP. Two, you take a bunch of mileage runs with international UA preferred partners. PQP on partners depend on mileage flown, so you can get more than 1 PQP per $1 on certain routes depending on fare class. Getting PQP with credit card spending is an absolutely HORRIBLE idea I can't believe you even suggested that in the video. All of this information can be described in 4 minutes instead of 14.

[@BirchFinance]

Reckon there's only one way to settle this.... over burgers and beer - or soda - whichever you prefer. I'll buy.

[@ARmYofSixxTH]

how come no one says how to become a member entry lv ?

[@BirchFinance]

Entry level member? Too easy, just sign up with an email address and you're in!

[@wangjoshuah]

You can only earn the welcome offer once. So you’re not actually getting $12,000 on the explorer card.

[@BirchFinance]

Yes, exactly right. The welcome offer is a one-time deal. With the Explorer card, if you hit the $3k in spending to earn the welcome offer, you'll be on pace to spend $12k in a year. After spending $12k, you'll get 500 PQP! It's just an option to accrue PQP through everyday spending 👍

[@George_Blake]

It is sad that non us citizens can not apply the credit cards. It requires SSN

[@BirchFinance]

Maybe you can find a co-branded?

[@josephbaumann292]

This video is more about bashing EWR than United status.

[@BirchFinance]

Really think so?

[@3ddieT99]

Why do you hate EWR?!? The flight choices are fantastic and compared to JFK or LaGuardia, it is a breeze to get to.

[@BirchFinance]

Hate is a strong word, but I will avoid EWR at all costs. I've only been there three times - all for layovers - and transiting to my connecting flight with all the construction was a nightmare. Hopefully if/when the construction is finished things will improve!

[@mukeedcoforstuff]

Soooo it took 5 and a half minute of fillers to get to the main point of this video 💀💀

[@BirchFinance]

Chapter markers my friend! 📖👍

[@kisms8590]

U absolutely failed to mention number of hacks, totally disappointed. Where's the hack? Zero ninja material. My goodness.

[@BirchFinance]

They’re in there 🥷

[@gep6191]

You have really good info, but I seriously can’t stand your over production. Everything you say doesn’t need pop culture movie reference.

[@BirchFinance]

Hey Ge P, thanks for the feedback. Glad you found the info helpful. Have a great day!

[@neseeo1]

Man I been flying with united for 2 years now every other week I wish I would of found this long time ago. I'm gold now but I need 300 pqp to the next lvl

[@BirchFinance]

You're so close to Platinum and the 40 Plus Points that come with it! Might be worth taking a flight just for the PQP if you can swing it!

[@nankiss8236]

Lounge

[@BirchFinance]

I got you covered! 👍…. The Ultimate Guide to Airport Lounge Access: 5 Proven Methods Revealed kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_Kn2Rvarl8pdk

[@FED_RAGE]

Lounge

[@BirchFinance]

Gotcha covered: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ_Kn2Rvarl8pdksi=wbu4l8zV2Ptl4tte