Can categorically say no on this one -- I'm a Gold, did not meet the minimum, and got extended anyway.

United has confirmed it's not everybody: https://liveandletsfly.com/united-se...tus-extension/ “While it not clear whether a specific formula was used to consistently choose elite members which qualified for the gifted status extension, United looked at members who were impacted by closed borders, restricted international travel, and company travel restrictions.”

I suspect I got it because I did some Asia/Australia travel in 2019 (as well as some Europe travel). None of that happened this year.