Tier Points

Tier points (also called qualifying miles, Premier Qualifying Points, Medallion Qualifying Miles, or Loyalty Points depending on the program) are the specific metric that determines a traveler's progress toward elite status qualification. They are distinct from redeemable miles and function as a separate tracking mechanism within loyalty programs.

What Are Tier Points?

Tier points are a qualification-specific currency used by frequent flyer programs to track a member's progress toward the next elite tier. Unlike redeemable miles — which function as a spendable balance — tier points accumulate during a qualification year, reset at year-end, and determine whether a member earns, maintains, or loses elite status. Programs use various names for this metric: Delta calls them Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs); United uses Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs); American uses Loyalty Points; British Airways uses Tier Points (a term that has been the most widely used generically).

How It Works in Practice

Every qualifying flight earns a certain number of tier points based on the distance flown, fare class, and elite status (for certain programs). Partners — particularly co-branded credit cards — may also contribute to tier point accumulation, either directly or by satisfying minimum spending waivers. Programs typically set annual thresholds: to earn Silver status, a member might need 25,000 tier points; Gold requires 50,000; top tier requires 100,000 or more.

British Airways uses a transparent Tier Point system with published values per flight segment: a short-haul economy ticket earns 20 Tier Points, while a long-haul first class segment earns 280 Tier Points. Members can calculate exactly how many flights are needed to reach or maintain status. Programs like Delta and American have simplified qualification by merging redeemable and qualifying metrics (Delta's MQDs collapse all earning into a single dollar-based figure), while United maintains a separate PQP currency distinct from redeemable award miles.

Why It Matters

Tier points are the operational mechanism that makes elite status qualification both structured and gameable. Understanding the tier point structure enables travelers to plan their flight activity strategically — selecting carriers, routes, and fare classes that deliver the most tier points per dollar spent. The separation of tier points from redeemable miles is significant: a traveler can have a large redeemable miles balance without qualifying for status, and vice versa. Programs use this separation to ensure that status represents genuine engagement with the airline rather than simply accumulated currency from partner spending.

Key Facts and Figures

• British Airways requires 600 Tier Points for Gold status, 1,500 for Gold Guest List.
• United MileagePlus 1K requires 100,000 PQPs annually (with no separate segment requirement).
• Delta Diamond Medallion requires 125,000 MQDs.
• American AAdvantage Executive Platinum requires 200,000 Loyalty Points.
• Many programs allow credit card spending to contribute toward tier qualification — American Express Platinum earns 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on the AAdvantage co-branded cards.

Related Concepts

Elite Status, Earning Rate, Frequent Flyer Program, Mileage Run, Status Match