How Should I Adjust to United’s Spending-Based Status?

United’s move is the big news here: starting in 2027, Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) disappear entirely. Elite status will depend solely on Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), which you earn by spending on United flights and on United cobranded credit cards. The 1K threshold jumps by 4,000 PQPs to 32,000 total. If you’ve been earning status partly by flying frequently on cheap fares, that path is closing. Your new lever is spending—either on tickets or on the card. If you have a United card, put everyday spend on it to accumulate PQPs outside the airport.

The Marriott Bonvoy test showing your position on the upgrade list suggests a similar logic: transparency can be a prelude to selling upgrades. If you see you’re low on the list and only a few complimentary upgrades are estimated to be available, the hotel may soon offer to sell you a bump. The strategy here is to use Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) when you can, since Marriott says those are prioritized before complimentary upgrades. But don’t rely on a free upgrade; if the upgrade matters, consider paying for it or using a Suite Night Award if you have one.

On the points-earning side, Bilt’s upcoming 4:3 transfer ratio to Hyatt (starting January 1) mirrors what Chase already did. If you’re earning Bilt points at 3x or more—say via the Palladium card with points accelerators or rent payments—you’d effectively earn about 2.25 Hyatt points per dollar spent after the transfer. That’s still decent, but losing the 1:1 transfer stings. If Hyatt stays important, consider using the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which still transfers 1:1 to Hyatt. If you don’t have that card, the math favors earning Hyatt points directly through stays or the World of Hyatt credit card rather than through Bilt or Chase at the new ratio.