O.K., I don't get it. I have FF milage with UAL. I'm one of the lowly "General Members" with about 135,000 miles accrued. I see that I have that milage, 22,000 EQM and 10 EQS. I don't understand the distinction of the EQM and EQS and how they apply, or don't apply. Tried doing the reading and still don't get it. Can somebody give me a layman's explanation please? Thanks!

EQMs are the qualifying miles earned, and EQSs are the segments flown. For example, if you fly Chicago-Santa Ana (I've memorized this one, since I've done it a lot recently), you'd earn 1,726 EQMs and 1 EQS. If you fly that route but connect through Denver, you'd earn 1,734 EQMs (888+846) and 2 EQSs (both examples assume a discounted economy ticket; full fare economy and first/business earn EQM/EQS bonus).

You can earn elite status on either EQMs or EQSs--for example, Premier status at either 25k EQMs or 30 EQSs. I assume the distinction accommodates different travel styles. For example, one person might earn Premier status with one or two international flights. On the other hand, someone who flies a lot of short, domestic trips might not reach 25k EQMs in one year but could earn status on segments.

Does that help?

You can qualify for elite status by accumulating within the calendar year either the minimum number of EQM OR the minimum number of segments. For travel on UA most discount fares earn EQM equal to the actual miles flown. First, Business or unrestricted coach (Y or B class tickets) get a bonus in EQMs.
A segment = a single point to point, takeoff and landing. Exception = some direct but not non-stop flights (even those that require you to change planes en route) are credited as one segment if the same flight number covers everything.
There are three levels of Elite status
Premier (25K EQM or 30 EQS)
Premier Executive (50K EQM or 60 EQS)
1K (100K EQM or 100 EQS)

I was about to add the point that qualifying miles/segments are accrued during a calendar year and the counter is reset to zero on January 1--but I see Seamus beat me to it.

Thanks everyone. Since I do so few trips - sounds like the EQS and EQM will revert back to 0 come 1/1/09. Bummer.

So, you are 3,000 EQMs short ot MP Premier.

Do you have any flights planned or booked for the rest of the year on UA or any of the Star Alliance partners? Even a scheduled departure of 11:59 PM on 12/31 would qualify.

If you were 3,000 short of 50,000 then it would be worth it to fly the miles if you are planning to travel on United or Star Alliance a lot next year.

There is a MileagePlus Platinum visa that earns 2500 EQMs as a sign-up bonus and 2500 EQMs on first purchase. But the fee is $140, I think.

I don't believe I earn "extra" EQM's when I fly in business or first class. I earn the actual miles flown, but I earn bonus miles towards my accrued miles. EQM's are only actual miles flown. I'm premier exec with UA.

Maybe you don't, but I earn 50% EQM/EQS bonuses for paid business or first or full-fare coach.

Paid first (F, A, P fares), paid business class (C, D, Z fares) and full economy (Y, B fares) earn a 50% EQM/EQS bonus. If you upgrade from an H/M economy fare, you will earn actual miles flown.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,8566,3122,00.html

Or, if you do the buy-up to business at check-in/gate, I believe those do not earn a bonus either.

Oh my gosh I completely forgot - we're flying to Boston on UA at the end of the month for a trip. In looking at my intinerary for the trip - PHX - ORD (1440 miles); ORD - BOS (867 miles); back is BOS - DEN (1754 miles); DEN - PHX (602 miles) for a total of 4663 miles!

simpsonc10 it's not where you sit, it's what you pay. If you are flying FC or Biz because you purchased a coach fare (other than Y or B) and then upgraded you will earn straight miles flown. If you buy FC or Biz you get the bonus EQMs.

Thanks, everyone, for that info! I have never purchased a business or first class ticket. I've always just upgraded with miles or electronic certificates. I have done the buy up at the check in counter and have not earned extra miles for that. I'm going to study the UA site a little closer.

I've flown (actual miles) just over 50k so far this year, and will end up with about 75-80k when all is said and done. Not a single bonus EQM in that number.

Maybe I need to BUY a bus/first class ticket to somewhere so I could earn enough miles to be 1k this year.... NOT (no time)

Carol

patandhank-if it's a paid (not award) ticket, that should do it for you! From your post, it looks like you originate in PHX. I assume you know that you also can accrue US Airways flights to Mileage Plus and earn qualifying miles/segments.

Carol, I can count on one finger the number of fares eligible for EQM bonus that I've purchased (I used to fly paid C to Europe a lot, but that ended before the EQM bonus was introduced). A few years ago, I found a discounted business (Z) fare to Italy on Lufthansa that was only $200 more than an upgradeable H fare. I've received an EQM bonus a few times when flights have been cancelled and I've been rebooked as Y (full fare).

I'm projecting to end the year at close to 90k, which is too close not to go for it--but my schedule is packed so at the moment I'm not sure how...

<i>but I earn bonus miles towards my accrued miles. EQM's are only actual miles flown.</i>

The bonus RDMs (redeemable miles) that you get are your Premier Exec status bonus.

I'm at 91,000 thanks to the double-EQM offer in the spring. I have a tickt to Japan in November that will get me over the top. If I can't take that trip then I'll fly LAX-IAD twice some weekend if that is what it takes to requalify for 1K.

We can always hope for a double-EQM offer like the ones in autumn of the last several years.

mrwnfl
What were the details behind that double EQM deal? (and will it be offered again???) I don't recall seeing it, although I probably did. I had lots of other things on my mind back in the early spring of this year...
Carol

The DEQM deal in the spring was for departures from on/about April 18 (I forget the exact start date) through June 15. Probably had to sign up by June 15. Too late now. I got 28,000 bonus EQMs with that deal.

Past DEQM offers were for travel between the end of October until the first part of December. They started about 6 years ago and was free the first year. Then they wanted a fee $100, $200. I think the last one, in 2006, cost $400 or maybe $500.

I doubt that it will be offered again this year. It would be announced in the next few weeks if it does happen.

People who are close to an elite tier should look at the possibility of a mileage run before the end of the year to put them over the top, if a reasonably priced fare can be found that gets it done. The reason is that having better seat selection and gaining a premium on miles earned in the following year plus a few months more can easily be worth it. There is a Mileage Run forum on flyertalk.com that is dedicated to this. Likewise, people who are within a night or two of gaining larger benefits in hotel programs should think about putting themselves over the top, if the benefits justify it. A little strategic thinking can go a long way with these things.

Ms Go - yep paid ticket so it will put me over the amount needed.

Thanks FlyBoy for the link. I haven't looked at that website too often, but will start paying more attention to it I think.