Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) are miles and segments earned toward achieving elite status. They are earned in several ways:
Flights on United, United Express, US Airways and the Star Alliance: 1 flight mile = 1 EQM; 1 flight segment = 1 EQS. For a 2,586-mile flight on United from San Francisco to LaGuardia, you would earn 2,586 redeemable miles, 2,586 EQM and 1 EQS.
High-yield fares: Members earn a 50% EQM bonus for tickets in first, business and full-fare economy class on United, United Express, US Airways, Lufthansa code-share and Lufthansa flights between the U.S. and Europe. Continuing the example above, if the flight were in business class, you would earn an additional 1,293 EQM and an additional 0.5 EQS.
Promotions: United sometimes offers promotions that give you the opportunity to earn EQM or EQS for a particular activity.
