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"?
Nov 29, 2017, 8:47 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Jan 4, 2018, 7:05 pm
#32
formerly Goflyer100
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion - Hilton Diamond
Posts: 161
Is MileagePlus doing soft landings? I didn't qualify for any elite status in 2017 and I'm Premier Gold until January 31. Will my status after this date be Silver or will I have no status at all?
Jan 4, 2018, 7:11 pm
#33
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
Historically only for non re-qualifying GS.
We have to wait and see. But I would be prepared for no status.
However, you may instead get a status buy-up offer to Silver in a few weeks.
However, you may instead get a status buy-up offer to Silver in a few weeks.
Jan 4, 2018, 8:21 pm
#34
formerly Goflyer100
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion - Hilton Diamond
Posts: 161
Thanks, I will check my email. However I just read an article on TPG that this offer may be a bit around $ 1399 so it's not really worth buying.
Jan 4, 2018, 8:49 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 215
Jan 4, 2018, 8:58 pm
#36
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
If short PQD (even if you have a waiver) it will likely be more.
Jan 8, 2018, 12:30 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Dusseldorf
Programs: LH Senator, Hertz Presidents Circle, IHG Plat. Previous: UA 1K, AAdvantage Platinum;
Posts: 638
To answer my original question - Yes UA does give Soft Landings ...
Just got this e-mail from 1k Voice:
Just got this e-mail from 1k Voice:
Although your mileage activity over the past year did not meet our minimum requirements, to show our thanks and appreciation for your loyalty, we’ve granted you Premier Gold status starting February 1, 2018 and the remainder of the year. To keep your status for next year, you’ll need to meet the published criteria by the end of this year. Please visit www.united.com/premier and click on Premier status qualification requirements for details.
We wish you success in qualifying for next year.
We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.
We wish you success in qualifying for next year.
We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.
Oct 25, 2018, 1:26 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: UA Plat, Delta Plat, SPG Platinum/Life Gold
Posts: 76
Will United ever cut long-term Plat/1K slack with one off year?
Hi all,
I have been Gold/Plat/1K (Plat this last year) for close to a decade but barely traveled at all this year due to having a new baby and staying close to home. I might manage to keep Gold, but even that is touch and go.
Would United ever cut someone in my position slack and either offer an extension or perhaps some sort of short-term challenge to keep my higher status? I am back traveling now but took almost 6 months off flying so was far below my usual this year.
It isn't the biggest deal in the world, just likely that I would shift more business to Delta (I am Delta Plat as well) when there isn't much difference, rather than try to save my United status. I have enjoyed my time with United so would prefer to keep it up.
Let me know if you have ever had any experience with this type of request.
Thanks
Canuck FlyerDad (x3)
I have been Gold/Plat/1K (Plat this last year) for close to a decade but barely traveled at all this year due to having a new baby and staying close to home. I might manage to keep Gold, but even that is touch and go.
Would United ever cut someone in my position slack and either offer an extension or perhaps some sort of short-term challenge to keep my higher status? I am back traveling now but took almost 6 months off flying so was far below my usual this year.
It isn't the biggest deal in the world, just likely that I would shift more business to Delta (I am Delta Plat as well) when there isn't much difference, rather than try to save my United status. I have enjoyed my time with United so would prefer to keep it up.
Let me know if you have ever had any experience with this type of request.
Thanks
Canuck FlyerDad (x3)
Oct 25, 2018, 2:34 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
I was 1K for 4 years dropped to Gold one year when I moved to the arctic and never heard a peep from UA
I slugged it out and got back to 1K on my own after I moved back to reality, so sadly I think you are out of luck!!
I slugged it out and got back to 1K on my own after I moved back to reality, so sadly I think you are out of luck!!
Oct 25, 2018, 3:00 am
#41
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,426
Lots of reports of 1Ks dropping like a stone over the years. The only retention I recall posted was when spouse was GS.
UA has in recent years offered buy up early in the year, but it as not cheap and IIRC only one level (I passed and will pass next year if offered when I drop to Gold).
UA has in recent years offered buy up early in the year, but it as not cheap and IIRC only one level (I passed and will pass next year if offered when I drop to Gold).
Oct 25, 2018, 3:06 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
In broad terms, 10 years of 1K leads to being 1MM, and hence Gold (I know, 1K can be achieved in more ways than flying 100,000 miles, but I'm talking round numbers here). So, UA would say that 1MM mile status does effectively cut a long-term 1K some slack as he or she cannot drop below Gold.
Oct 25, 2018, 3:54 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,431
Hubby will make Plat this year but not 1k (he’s been 1k every year but 1 for the last 15 years). Job stuff, out of his control.
Now his traveling will pick up again. Has anyone successfully contacted UA for a challenge?
Now his traveling will pick up again. Has anyone successfully contacted UA for a challenge?
Oct 25, 2018, 5:25 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montrose, CO
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 548
6ish years ago I had a low travel year with about 60k PQM but $10k PQD. I called in and was able to get my 1k extended a year. I was very happy and surprised. I think the spend and being a MM must have been a factor. It paid off because the following years I easily made 1k and spend plenty of $. Next year I drop to Gold and I’m not even going to attempt to ask for the same consideration because I have low spend this time.
Oct 25, 2018, 5:32 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Deleted. I read on the United site that my answer would not work.
