United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Question re: status match

I am a US Air gold and will likely hit platinum this year. I fly out of San Diego. United offers more options for me than US Air does. I don't want to start from scratch with United though. I sent United an email asking if they could match my status (I saw a promotion for this, but I didn't see the part where star alliance members were not eligible)

My question is...what is the best way for me to make the switch without losing my status?

Match to AA, then use your AA status to match to UA? Although there may be challenges involved for either/both matches.

You're already Star Alliance Gold, which already gives you most of the UA elite benefits you'd get except for E+ and upgrades... anything else worthwhile?

I recommend buying an E+ annual option and adjusting yourself to the fact you're not gonna be getting too many upgrades on United 'til you earn United status.

Don't forget you can also fly on US in the meantime, using your US status but diverting your miles towards UA.

Match to AA, then use your AA status to match to UA? Although there may be challenges involved for either/both matches.
Definitely a paid challenge on the AA side. They are only matching UA 1k's or higher and DL Diamonds.

It may not be feasible but the OP could do a 1 shot mileage run in UA C/J overseas and hopefully hit the basics for UA Silver.

I've got a dilemma - I have AA-Plat (OW Sapphire) and BA-Gold (OW-Emerald).

Do you think I can ask UA for a status match now and is it possible without flying any UA flights. I'm based in asia and do not travel to the US so the only flights I can think of are most likely SIN/BKK/HKG - NRT.

Which level do you think UA would give me .. and how long would it be valid for? My whole point in getting the match is to get the elite bonus miles on AC, LH flights.

Thank you.

I've got a dilemma - I have AA-Plat (OW Sapphire) and BA-Gold (OW-Emerald).
Do you think I can ask UA for a status match now and is it possible without flying any UA flights. I'm based in asia and do not travel to the US so the only flights I can think of are most likely SIN/BKK/HKG - NRT.
Which level do you think UA would give me .. and how long would it be valid for? My whole point in getting the match is to get the elite bonus miles on AC, LH flights.
Thank you.

About 4 months ago, UA gave me Platinum (thru January next year) when I sent them my EXP statement. Of course they claimed that Platinum was the same thing as EXP and 1K was the same at CK. :D

...
Do you think I can ask UA for a status match now and is it possible without flying any UA flights....UA does status challenges for 90 days and only UA metal flights count toward the challenge. Additionally to maintain status you must fly 4 segments annually on UA metal.

UA does status challenges for 90 days and in those days you must fly UA metal to meet the challenge. Additionally to maintain status you must fly 4 segments annually on UA metal.

Not necessarily. See post #6.

So should I just wait till year end to ask for the match then.. in the hopes that I will get it till end 2013?

So should I just wait till year end to ask for the match then.. in the hopes that I will get it till end 2013?

Dunno. I asked in May. Since it's now September, you might get it thru 2013... if they are still doing outright matches vs. challenges.

If you challenge to UA now, and complete the status challenge, you will get status thru to 01/2014. Any status challenge completed after July 1st gives you status up to the following year. (I completed a challenge this year)

Within 90 days, you will need to fly:
10,000 qualifying flight miles or 15 flight segments to retain Premier Silver status
17,500 qualifying flight miles or 22 flight segments to retain Premier Gold status
25,000 qualifying flight miles or 30 flight segments to retain Premier Platinum status
35,000 qualifying flight miles or 40 flight segments to retain Premier 1K status (hidden)

I think you will get Gold, if you match with BA Gold. So 3 runs SIN-NRT on UA should secure the challenge.

If you want to find out more, just throw them an e-mail premiermatch@united.com

They should advise you which status they will match you to.

You could also try using STE+ to see if you get something higher. Best wishes.

If you match to UA now, and complete the status challenge, you will get status thru to 01/2014. Any status challenge completed after July first gives you status up to the following year.

well, that's the thing.. I don't / can't fly UA metal as I don't go to the USA so I'd just want a 1-1 match instead of a challenge.

well, that's the thing.. I don't / can't fly UA metal as I don't go to the USA so I'd just want a 1-1 match instead of a challenge.

They stopped out right matches a few years back. If your flight window for AC and LH is within 90 days, you could plan it such that you get a status match and earn bonus miles on your flights within the 90 day window.

... If your flight window for AC and LH is within 90 days, you could plan it such that you get a status match and earn bonus miles on your flights within the 90 day window.challenges only accept UA metal flights

challenges only accept UA metal flights

Yes, but you still earn bonus on other *A carriers during the challenge. During my challenge, I flown other *A carriers and got the bonus miles.

What I don't know is if the bonus miles will stay should you fail the challenge, because I completed my challenge. However, I am guessing Guy will probably make Silver or Gold after his AC & LH flights.

I've got a dilemma - I have AA-Plat (OW Sapphire) and BA-Gold (OW-Emerald).

Do you think I can ask UA for a status match now and is it possible without flying any UA flights. I'm based in asia and do not travel to the US so the only flights I can think of are most likely SIN/BKK/HKG - NRT.

Which level do you think UA would give me .. and how long would it be valid for? My whole point in getting the match is to get the elite bonus miles on AC, LH flights.

Thank you.

I can't believe you ask for a status match from UA at all.

Anyhow - I will push my case to UA for at least a Platinum (based on both OW Sapphire and Emerald altogether). If lucky, you may even get 1K. If they tell you to challenge, you can email back and negotiate.

BTW - if you simply want a *G, go to TK, or even try A3. A3 is known to have the lowest requirement for *G, but not sure if they are willing to match or not.

They stopped out right matches a few years back. If your flight window for AC and LH is within 90 days, you could plan it such that you get a status match and earn bonus miles on your flights within the 90 day window.

That is not true. Again, read post #6. I received an outright match in May. No challenge. No requirement to fly UA metal.


BTW - if you simply want a *G, go to TK, or even try A3. A3 is known to have the lowest requirement for *G, but not sure if they are willing to match or not.

Good point. TK matched my EXP a few weeks ago, and my TK *G is now valid thru August 2015, giving me free UC access for two years.

I can't believe you ask for a status match from UA at all.

Anyhow - I will push my case to UA for at least a Platinum (based on both OW Sapphire and Emerald altogether). If lucky, you may even get 1K. If they tell you to challenge, you can email back and negotiate.

BTW - if you simply want a *G, go to TK, or even try A3. A3 is known to have the lowest requirement for *G, but not sure if they are willing to match or not.

I'm drawn to UA only for their ability to earn bonus miles as an elite member on some airlines I stated above. The other plus point for them is that they have no YQ on their award tickets and the overall taxes are rather low.

I already have 5 *G cards. (AC, LH, A3, SK, TK) Their award schemes don't match my needs. Closest to UA is perhaps US but since they might be joining AA soon, I'd like another option. Maybe TACA/Aviaca too.

That is not true. Again, read post #6. I received an outright match in May. No challenge. No requirement to fly UA metal.

Glad you managed to do so.

Again - push at least a Platinum. For most non-elite heavy routes, it is very easy to go CPU.

Closest to UA is perhaps US but since they might be joining AA soon

I doubt it is going to happen at all...US has been "talking" to a lot of airlines for merger for years. Nothing has been happening so far.

Maybe TACA/Aviaca too.

Per this article, TA/AV is good when you attempt to buy miles for award.

7 top frequent flyer programs #2 | CNNGo.com (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/top-frequent-flyer-miles-programs-100956?page=0,1)

Per this article, TA/AV is good when you attempt to buy miles for award.

+1
Now my go to *A redemption program, even after they closed the back door access to M&M inventory and LX First.

I thought that UA does not do status matches from other Star FF programs? :confused:

I thought that UA does not do status matches from other Star FF programs? :confused:

OP (Guy Betsy) did not say he will use his *G for UA status match.

He intends to use his OW status instead.

So no problem at all.

(Beside - if you make a good case, I don't say why UA says no, like you are moving from CLT to DEN.)

I wrote to them today as I'll have 3 intra-asian UA flights within the next month. But I will definitely not be able to do more due to my very compacted travel schedule till the end of the year.

I did tell them that I don't fly to the USA at all. Haven't been to the US since 2005!

So will advise what transpires...

Does anyone have a better phone number to call for a status match than the circus that is general customer service?

Does anyone have a better phone number to call for a status match than the circus that is general customer service?

See post #1
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1352728-airline-status-match-master-thread-2012-a.html