Originally Posted by
blug
Both are entirely possible, if not likely. Many people would pay extra to fly UA, or even take trips they don't need to take, if it means achieving a higher status, especially 1K.
What UA did is like launching a MilePlay promotion, and then after the promotion ends, deciding that everyone gets the bonus regardless of whether the requirements are met.
We do not know if there will be any bonuses toward next year's qualification for anyone who met the requirements organically. It's possible, and it's even possible that UA won't announce this until after the year is already over. UA makes the rules and can basically do whatever it wants so...