Jan 10, 2020, 12:10 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Generally, UA does not do soft landings
-- GS exception -- May times fallen GS will receive 1K status (no upgrade certs) for the first year
-- Special circumstances -- Elite status "holds/leave of absence" (adoption, pregnancy, illness, deployment, ...)
"Soft landing" is where an individual who did not qualify for their previous elite status level is still given a higher level than they actually earned. Such as a previously UA GA is given 1K status even though they only earned Gold.
-- GS exception -- May times fallen GS will receive 1K status (no upgrade certs) for the first year
-- Special circumstances -- Elite status "holds/leave of absence" (adoption, pregnancy, illness, deployment, ...)
"Soft landing" is where an individual who did not qualify for their previous elite status level is still given a higher level than they actually earned. Such as a previously UA GA is given 1K status even though they only earned Gold.
Does UA offer "soft status landings"?
Feb 7, 2017, 4:13 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Soft landings, for most, disappeared a very long time ago (decades) from most of the programs -- some ex-GS seem to soft landings, but that is pretty much it.
Sometimes calling and providing an "appropriate" (such as health, family issues), if you can weave a good story, you might get an "one time exemption" to get Gold. Especially if you are willing to say your travel will return this year and your have had a multiple year history of the old status level.
Sometimes calling and providing an "appropriate" (such as health, family issues), if you can weave a good story, you might get an "one time exemption" to get Gold. Especially if you are willing to say your travel will return this year and your have had a multiple year history of the old status level.
Jun 2, 2017, 11:35 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: UA 1K, *A Gold, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, BA, Miles & More Frequent Traveler
Posts: 30
Think I know the answer but...
Tried searching all of the threads and United website but haven't found the answer yet.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
Jun 2, 2017, 11:52 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
Tried searching all of the threads and United website but haven't found the answer yet.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
Jun 2, 2017, 2:23 pm
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Tried searching all of the threads and United website but haven't found the answer yet.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
If one reaches 1K status in a given year, and the next year are unable to fly for any reason, does your status reset to General member after your 1K status expires or are you just "downgraded" to a lower status? My company is thinking of transferring me for a year to the client location. Hence no business travel flights 6+ times a year.
Sep 7, 2017, 12:39 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 158
Soft landing for new parents?
I've heard Alaska does this. Any chance UA has something similar? I usually make status by flying J to India (plus some domestic travel), but my wife's expecting in a month, so no trip this year. Going to be a hard fall from Plat to nothing, otherwise.
Sep 7, 2017, 12:41 pm
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Nope
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 7, 2017 at 2:46 pm Reason: cleanup after merge;thanks for the link
Sep 7, 2017, 12:53 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
Try status matching to Alaska and then avail of the opportunity. Some status is better than no status. Plus they have a decent set of partners that can take you to India.
Sep 7, 2017, 3:32 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Absolutely, I have done this as well. I believe you can submit for the status match starting next month for approval through 2018. They (Alaska) even renewed my status match for a second year without asking (or hitting the required miles).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 7, 2017 at 4:49 pm Reason: repaired post
Nov 28, 2017, 12:45 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dusseldorf
Programs: LH Senator, Hertz Presidents Circle, IHG Plat. Previous: UA 1K, AAdvantage Platinum;
Posts: 638
Soft Landing (1K to Gold)
I have not traveled for the last 6 months due to a change in jobs - travel should start again in Jan or Feb
In 2016 I qualified for 1k easily, and in 2017 I look to end the year 1400 miles short of Gold (with only 6 months of travel)
Will United be willing to keep me at Gold and not drop me all the way down to Silver?
In 2016 I qualified for 1k easily, and in 2017 I look to end the year 1400 miles short of Gold (with only 6 months of travel)
Will United be willing to keep me at Gold and not drop me all the way down to Silver?
Nov 28, 2017, 1:12 am
#26
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
If you new employer has a UA relationship, you might try that path.
Nov 28, 2017, 11:24 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 389
You can always ask for a soft landing, but you certainly can't count on it. A couple years ago, after a decade as a 1K, I had a temporary job reassignment and only qualified for gold. I asked for a soft landing to Platinum, on the grounds that my flying would resume its previous pattern starting in January. I wrote a polite email at the beginning of the year, and I expected to be turned down.
So I was surprised when, a few weeks later, they gave me a soft landing to...1K! No certificates, so definitely 1K-lite. But I spent the year being grateful to United's 1K desk. I have resumed my travel since and have legitimately earned 1K for the past few years.
I think that the combination of a lengthy 1K history, a plausible story for the temporary shortfall, and a credible promise to resume my previous flying pattern all worked to get the exemption. That plus a polite letter. It was a one-time thing, and I doubt they would do it again for me. Except maybe after another decade. Of course, after another decade as a 1K, I'll be approaching 3MM anyway...
So I was surprised when, a few weeks later, they gave me a soft landing to...1K! No certificates, so definitely 1K-lite. But I spent the year being grateful to United's 1K desk. I have resumed my travel since and have legitimately earned 1K for the past few years.
I think that the combination of a lengthy 1K history, a plausible story for the temporary shortfall, and a credible promise to resume my previous flying pattern all worked to get the exemption. That plus a polite letter. It was a one-time thing, and I doubt they would do it again for me. Except maybe after another decade. Of course, after another decade as a 1K, I'll be approaching 3MM anyway...
Nov 29, 2017, 6:49 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dusseldorf
Programs: LH Senator, Hertz Presidents Circle, IHG Plat. Previous: UA 1K, AAdvantage Platinum;
Posts: 638
I have thought of a one day trip to Germany or elsewhere in Europe - although a Soft Landing would be much softer on the bank account.