Mike, that sounds dangerous. If I told you that UA once let me keep status while being 100 miles away from threshold, will this make you decide not to take any action? And if you don't do anything, and don't make 2P, will you be angry with me?

A short MR is guaranteed. A buy-up at the end of the year is likely, but also likely to be expensive. Getting comped the last few miles is possible, but unlikely - particularly if UA is selling the miles.