It seems that United, as of July 1st, will be going the way of its competitors in eliminating the 500-mile minimum for Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) on its flights and moving toward earnings based on actual miles flown. Complete details here.
This may impact those folks who fly short routes serviced by UA such as DC - NY and Chicago to…well..to anywhere under 500 miles!
Mileage Accrual Details
To ensure that Mileage Plus miles earned toward elite status and award travel on United are aligned with actual miles flown, we are revising our base accrual policy. Beginning July 1, 2008, for flights of less than 500 miles, passengers will earn redeemable miles equal to the actual miles flown. Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) will also be awarded based on actual miles. Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) are not affected.
This new mileage accrual structure will apply to travel on or after July 1, 2008, regardless of when the travel was ticketed. Flights of less than 500 miles flown on or before June 30, 2008, will accrue Mileage Plus miles under the previous policy of a minimum mileage accrual per individual segment flown.
Look for these and other changes to make it more difficult to 1) achieve status and 2) accrue miles.