How do PQMs work?
 

Delta has stopped offering service to Bahrain so I'm moving over to United. Just applied for the status match challenge based on my Delta Platinum status and I have my first reservation to/from BAH on United.

In my reservation it lists the PQMs for each leg of the trip. The first leg is listed as follows:

Award Miles/Premier Qualifying*: 264 /100%

Is there no 500 mile minimum per segment as there is on Delta?

Also, how do the domestic upgrades works? On Delta there were unlimited free upgrades on domestic legs based on status and fare class. I read the page on the United site and it seemed to be similar.

Thanks,

--LB

There is a 500 mile minimum if you have elite status..for non elites it's the actual miles.

The domestic upgrades are similar to delta.

IME you will receive the 500 mile minimum, based on your (in challenge) Platinum status. There are conflicting reports as to whether all of the 500 PQM will count towards your challenge.

The display will not quote any Premier-related minimums or Premier bonuses.

Thanks for the info...

I emailed my request for the status match today. Any experience with how long the process takes? I leave for Bahrain on the 22nd.

For me it took several weeks, 2 faxes, and an e-mail. On the final fax I put something along the lines of "expedited request".

Seems like a strange way to attract a new premium customer...

Well, yes. But this was also right before the merger, so that may have had something to do with it.

In general, UA can be a bit slow on the uptake in CS.

you should ask GBadger to clarify what "a bit" means.

Hopefully they'll be a bit faster in this case. I'd certainly like to snag an E+ seat for the long IAH-BAH flight.

I've been pretty happy with Delta. Stayed away from UAL as all flights in BNA are small RJs. On DAL I was almost always in FC on the legs in/out of BNA. Not much choice now that Delta is no longer offering the code-share connection on KLM to BAH.

Well, the only two experiences I've had with needing to get a response from them (one for the challenge, and one for a refund) both took 1-2 months to get things sorted out. At the same time, I've also scored a $200 voucher based on a CS issue that I never made a peep about (and never noticed) -- had an e-mail before finishing my trip that day offering that... So I guess YMMV.

There is good information buried in the status match thread on how to best get a hold of them.
I don't know about your routes specifically, but I can tell you that my upgrade % has taken a major hit since switching from DL DM to UA 1K. E+ isn't bad though, and I'm glad that I finally have options to use my miles. The route network and partners are pretty good too.

Thanks for that. I found the thread and it was very helpful.