well let's start with the obvious question, which is why 1k is so important.

someone else can answer this but i believe that if you are 1k, you can only drop one level per year, which would put you at premier executive next year and still getting double miles.

That said united has the $100 double elite status miles going this year which means for $100 you can get double elite status for any flights you take. so if all you really want is status, you could do that on two trips to singapore.

but why would you want to?