Update 3/7/20: According to cboardinggroup e-mails have been sent out giving people an additional 30 days to complete this challenge. I guess this just applies to existing people that enrolled as the landing page still states 90 days?
The Offer
- United has released a status match and challenge for 2020, this is good to see as in 2019 they didn’t run a public status match/challenge like this. The following table shows what is required to get your status matched for 90 days:
- The following table shows what is required to keep your status for the remainder of 2020:
The Fine Print
- Offer is not valid for members who have participated in the MileagePlus® status match program or received a Premier Status Exception within the last 5 years.
- If you are unable to complete the PQF and PQP requirement within the 90-day Offer Period, your matched MileagePlus Premier status will expire, and you may be returned to a lower earned Premier level, or general member status, at United’s sole discretion.
- Earned 2020 Premier status is valid through January 2021. The MileagePlus status is valid through January 2022 for customers who earn Premier status through this promotion on or after July 1, 2020.
- Full terms found here
Our Verdict
I personally stopped caring about elite status a few years back, in the end I found the benefits I was receiving didn’t really match up with the amount of time, effort and expense (consciously or unconsciously) that I was putting in. Obviously for people flying a lot more frequently it can be worth it and I know some readers really care about it a lot so maybe this matching will be of use to them. Keep in mind it might make more sense to start this challenge after July 1st, 2020, as that way you’ll keep the status through January 2022 instead of January 2021.
Hat tip to Dans Deals
They also mention they realize the impact this will have on 2021 status, but no changes at this time.
ENDING the match after July 1 is the strategy for maximizing the duration of the match
Exactly, status is for suckers. Especially united, who has the gall to ask for 5000 usd spending for lowest tier of status.
I fly on someone else’s dime. Status gets me last minute seats when none are available. Top of the list on last minute standby waitlists for earlier flights, free cancellation and redeposit of miles and fees on award tickets up to the time the doors cloae, complementary upgrades (they still happen), free checked bags, priority boarding, regional and international upgrades (worth a LOT), free drinks, free food on board, 1k help desk. Etc. Sure its ymmv but I’m not a sucker for directing my travel towards UA to get these.
only people that thinks its for suckers never been higher than Silver on UA. Made 1K for 2020 on company dime, intl lounge benefits alone are worth it, along w the 7 upgrades from economy to business on intl flights is worth at least 10 grand alone
it only worth 10 grand because they charge 10 grand for that, “worth” or not is a different question, lol
i run my business, I don’t spend on other’s dime, different prospective I guess. it also helps I don’t live near a united hub, pfft.
7 international long haul economy to business on flat beds is worth 10 grand, on domestic flights no, biz/first isnt worth it.
Please don’t make it sounds like guaranteed.
1. You have to buy a minimum fare class, otherwise it is only 3.5 upgrades, instead of 7.
2. It depends on if UA gives you upgrade availability. This is very much YMMV.
I personally don’t think worths 1.5 grand to upgrade to business ONE WAY on international economy. But even if you do, there’s no guarantee for the upgrade so the “7” upgrades do not even worth half of it.
enjoy your priority pass lounge.
Agreed. I feel like these joeys never made it past intro-level status and/or didn’t know how to actually leverage their perks. I guess some people likes to sleep in weird half-seated, 30-in legroom positions and sit like crowded sardines at the gates for hours. Excuse the rest of us for having higher standards?
With Basic Economy, elite benefits now come with a cost
I got AA Plat Pro through work trips but am also wary of putting too much effort/calculation into who I fly based on status. For instance, looking at some flights right now the difference between Basic Econ and Main Cabin is $60, and even a Plat Pro I’m not eligible for free upgrades in Basic. I can’t even choose my seat with Basic!
Meanwhile in Main I could MAYBE get upgraded if there’s availability, and I could choose an exit row seat with Plat Pro. But are those differences worth $60? Really sad what a race to the bottom fare classes and even status have become.
I’m in a similar boat. I’ve been varying levels of Delta’s elite status for the past few years, either silver or gold medallion, however as my employer requires I fly the cheapest tickets, which are always basic economy (ergo no real benefits to having status) and when flying personally do not feel like having to pay an additional $50+ RT to fly main cabin to enjoy any “perks” (I have never found it worth it to “buy-up” on my own dime and therefore do not) I don’t find “status” to be worth much of anything and just go with the most convenient/cost effective routing regardless of the airline.
I’m surprised your employer even allows basic economy tickets (mine does not), seems like a risk if there are changes to your schedule.