Dec 9, 2014, 5:13 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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What happened to a few in Feb 2014 that were short -- note these are probably exceptional cases. The vast majority got the status they earned but there were exceptions. Why? only UA knows.
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The Consolidated "Is United 1K Status Worth It? - 2013/14 Edition
Consolidated "Is 75K/Platinum Status Worth It?" Thread [Merged]
Is Premier Gold Worth it?
United Silver Status - Experiences/Q&A
What happened to a few in Feb 2014 that were short -- note these are probably exceptional cases. The vast majority got the status they earned but there were exceptions. Why? only UA knows.
2014 MileagePlus Elite Status Granted Even Though Short of PQM/PQS?
2014 Soft Landings
Status Buy-up offers January 2014 for those that felt short of status requirement (no guarantees these will be offered again in January 2015)
Buy Up Offers to Reclaim 2014 MileagePlus Elite Status?
Exclusive Premier Status Offer Splash Screen
Reload this Page Email from UA - "It's not too late to reach Premier Silver (or Gold/Plat/1K) status"
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs in 2014 for Elite Status in 2015
Nov 18, 2014, 9:10 am
#166
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYS
Programs: UA 1K MM, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 311
Nov 18, 2014, 9:14 am
#167
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
I'm not sure what you have left in the way of flights for the year, but look at possible upgrading a couple of your existing flights to FC (paid upgrade ahead of time). That should get you 150% PQM on those upgraded segments, IIRC.
Might be more expensive, but it will be a net positive from an experience standpoint, instead of the net negative experience that is a MR.
This should give you 3 options to consider (in order of expense):
1. MR somewhere, waste a day on a plane instead of home with your family.
2. Buy PQM's. If you go this route, play around with a bunch of random bookings until you get an offer that is right at, or just slightly higher than the amount of PQM's you need. Just remember to cancel the bookings within 24 hours. DO NOT buy 12,000 PQM's just because that is the lowest amount you are currently offered.
3. Upgrade a few of your existing flights to FC. Just make sure you do it ahead of time, and not as a TOD upgrade.
You could also do some combination of the above.
Might be more expensive, but it will be a net positive from an experience standpoint, instead of the net negative experience that is a MR.
This should give you 3 options to consider (in order of expense):
1. MR somewhere, waste a day on a plane instead of home with your family.
2. Buy PQM's. If you go this route, play around with a bunch of random bookings until you get an offer that is right at, or just slightly higher than the amount of PQM's you need. Just remember to cancel the bookings within 24 hours. DO NOT buy 12,000 PQM's just because that is the lowest amount you are currently offered.
3. Upgrade a few of your existing flights to FC. Just make sure you do it ahead of time, and not as a TOD upgrade.
You could also do some combination of the above.
Nov 18, 2014, 9:19 am
#168
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
You can buy up. I finished at about 98k due to some weather cancellations and bought the difference last year. You can't use flex, and the credit card waiver for PQD's doesn't apply for 1K.
Nov 18, 2014, 9:22 am
#169
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 215
Ultimately, it is your decision but is your time worth $600? If it comes down to paying for the accelerator or missing the 1K mark I'd cough up the money.
Another option would be to buy a fully refundable, short trip, ticket and hope they offer a better accelerator (or at least one with a lower mileage option). Buy the accelerator and get your money back. If it helps; I have a DEN - SMF (1800 miles round trip) and the accelerator options are 6,000 miles and 8,000 miles; both at 11.3 cents per mile.
Another option would be to buy a fully refundable, short trip, ticket and hope they offer a better accelerator (or at least one with a lower mileage option). Buy the accelerator and get your money back. If it helps; I have a DEN - SMF (1800 miles round trip) and the accelerator options are 6,000 miles and 8,000 miles; both at 11.3 cents per mile.
Nov 18, 2014, 9:24 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,385
T correct. Flex PQM can not be used to go from 75k to 100k. purchased or flown PQM definitely qualify. It's the spend waiver that does not apply to 1K. One must have $10k in PQD if one has a US address.
Nov 18, 2014, 10:22 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
There are numerous flights less than $400 from IAD to the west coast. But limiting it to 12/20 to 12/30 is the issue.
Nov 18, 2014, 10:31 am
#172
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 276
Ultimately, it is your decision but is your time worth $600? If it comes down to paying for the accelerator or missing the 1K mark I'd cough up the money.
Another option would be to buy a fully refundable, short trip, ticket and hope they offer a better accelerator (or at least one with a lower mileage option). Buy the accelerator and get your money back. If it helps; I have a DEN - SMF (1800 miles round trip) and the accelerator options are 6,000 miles and 8,000 miles; both at 11.3 cents per mile.
Another option would be to buy a fully refundable, short trip, ticket and hope they offer a better accelerator (or at least one with a lower mileage option). Buy the accelerator and get your money back. If it helps; I have a DEN - SMF (1800 miles round trip) and the accelerator options are 6,000 miles and 8,000 miles; both at 11.3 cents per mile.
Nov 18, 2014, 10:31 am
#173
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
I'm in a similar boat actually - looking like I'll end up at ~95K and am mulling a MR to get to the finish line. Not sure where you're based on the east coast, or if you have flexibility to travel earlier - but I have my eye on the first 2 Saturdays in December for a quick SFO-NYC-SFO run (coming in under $350 last time I checked).
I know others prefer other services, but I like Google Flights to visually search for destinations under $X from my home airport.
I know others prefer other services, but I like Google Flights to visually search for destinations under $X from my home airport.
Nov 18, 2014, 11:22 am
#174
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
I know it doesn't come to 5000 miles (closer to 3200 miles), but east coast to DEN flights are very cheap now: Example: EWR<->DEN for $216 RT in early Dec. There is even R space available on some!
Nov 18, 2014, 4:01 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
Nov 18, 2014, 4:22 pm
#176
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 639
I happen to be $35 pqd short of the next tier (but fine on PQMs). Any recommendations? I don't have any more scheduled united travel this year. I'm close enough, I wonder if they'll let me through if I ask nicely.
Nov 18, 2014, 4:37 pm
#177
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,772
Nov 18, 2014, 4:55 pm
#178
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
Nov 18, 2014, 10:29 pm
#180
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,824
I wouldn't count on UA's generosity, but what I'd try would be to ask if you could send them $35 that they could add to a prior flight you had taken. Obviously, they can't do that, but it might open the door to the conversation that says they'll take care of you anyway.