Dec 6, 2015, 6:42 pm
Will UA Grant 2016 EliteStatus if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2015?
Nov 20, 2015, 3:59 pm
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Upfare, yes. Upgrade, no. Call and tell the agent you'd like to upfare to F and ask them to waive the change fee.
Nov 23, 2015, 6:30 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
My situation. Currently sitting at 43.6k PQM/52.5 PQS. I've got one rt booked to ORD which will put me at just north of 47k PQM/54.5 PQS. I had a business trip that got cancelled this week (transcon that would have easily put me over 50k). But, my PQD is way over the requirement, sitting at almost $9300 right now and the ORD trip will put me over $9800.
So what are the chances they'll look at my PQD and see the cancelled ticket and grant me Gold again? Or am I destined for a mid-con MR? It's time like this that I wished they granted status based on $ alone since we all know that's what they really care about....
So what are the chances they'll look at my PQD and see the cancelled ticket and grant me Gold again? Or am I destined for a mid-con MR? It's time like this that I wished they granted status based on $ alone since we all know that's what they really care about....
I heard a story once. In fact,
I've heard a lot of stories in my time. They went along with the sound
of a tinny piano...
There will always be stories, typically anecdotal (but not always) where UA extended the prior-year's status or allowed for a slight shortfall. But there have been far more stories where they didn't.I've heard a lot of stories in my time. They went along with the sound
of a tinny piano...
In times gone by, maybe that could have happened, but UA (and others) have done an excellent job of monetizing the last-minute quest for status. Nobody's really left without a choice. If they want status, they can buy it by-
Flying (cheapest)
Award accelerator (convenient)
Using UA's expensive post-year-end buy-ups (really expensive)
Dec 1, 2015, 1:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: Star Alliance (Gold) MileagePlus (Premier 1K), Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 5
$500 under PQD for 1k - Odds UA is generous?
First time on these forums - and loving it already!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
Dec 1, 2015, 2:02 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
First time on these forums - and loving it already!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
The odds that United gifts you the 1K status while $500 short of PQD is very, very slim. (not going to happen).
If you are that close, I would seriously consider either a $500 mileage run, an up-fare of your upcoming itinerary, or some other method to get the $500 PQD to assure 1K status. IME, it would be worth it...assuming you will continue to travel as much in 2016.
Dec 1, 2015, 2:03 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP, WLG, or the forward most A seat in Y I can get
Programs: UA Plat (and all the derivatives on cars and hotels that implies)
Posts: 491
$500 short, pretty low. There have been reports in the wild of people within $100 (and that might be generous) getting or retaining status. But $500, highly unlikely based on what's reported here in early 2015 (from the 2014 qualification year).
A reasonable valuation of 1k status probably makes it worth spending the $500, especially if you plan international travel next year. Since you're short PQD rather than miles you can use the less time-consuming solution of finding a short expensive flight to get you over the hump, rather than the conventional December search for a long, cheap flight (hello Anchorage, via Houston! which I did this time last year from Minneapolis)
A reasonable valuation of 1k status probably makes it worth spending the $500, especially if you plan international travel next year. Since you're short PQD rather than miles you can use the less time-consuming solution of finding a short expensive flight to get you over the hump, rather than the conventional December search for a long, cheap flight (hello Anchorage, via Houston! which I did this time last year from Minneapolis)
Dec 1, 2015, 9:54 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Portland
Programs: UA 1K, AK Gold 75K, etc. etc.
Posts: 1,660
First time on these forums - and loving it already!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
I'll be passing the 1k mark in 2 weeks on a EWR-PHX trip, but will be just $500 short of PQDs. I've had the MileagePlus Explorer Card and have spent well over the $25k this year.
Odds that UA will "gift" me 1k status?
Many thanks in advance!
Dec 2, 2015, 1:40 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
My situation is that I'll end up with about $12.5k PQD, 45k PQM, and 59 PQS. I was supposed to have a connection the other night, but delays would've forced a misconnect, so I switched to a non-stop. Now I'll end up 1 PQS short of Gold (slow year). I was also supposed to be in BRU right now, but my client canceled the trip due to safety concerns
Will UA grant me Gold status despite being 1 PQS short of official qualification due to my extenuating circumstances and having more than doubled the PQD requirement?
I'll probably try to grab a random short turn from ORD or MKE to ensure Gold for next year.
Dec 6, 2015, 2:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Will UA Grant Me Elite Status if I am XXX PQM/PQS/{PQD} Short of Qualifying in 2015?
I know UA is very stingy about the 1k status, meaning you hit 99,999 they will not give it to you.
In the past they have been more flexible with the other tiers. Has anyone had any communications or discussions with United on this.
In the past they have been more flexible with the other tiers. Has anyone had any communications or discussions with United on this.
Last edited by J.Edward; Dec 6, 2015 at 2:45 pm Reason: Update thread title.
Dec 6, 2015, 2:42 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
I am not aware of any similar promotion for the 2016 elite year, but if there are, please feel free to post.
FWIW this thread was posted last year - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-only-pls.html
FWIW this thread was posted last year - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-only-pls.html
Dec 6, 2015, 2:53 pm
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Dec 6, 2015, 7:28 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Dec 6, 2015, 9:48 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
I was talking to a colleague today about his status, he has 76,720 PQM for the year. (all from SQ and NH)
He has the United Mileage Plus Select Visa from Chase with over 25k in spend.
He has 0 United Flights on the year.
What is his best course of action to earn status? Just fly 4 UA segments?
Can he convert his current card and get this waived? I too was a bit fuzzy on all of the prerequisites required.
He has the United Mileage Plus Select Visa from Chase with over 25k in spend.
He has 0 United Flights on the year.
What is his best course of action to earn status? Just fly 4 UA segments?
Can he convert his current card and get this waived? I too was a bit fuzzy on all of the prerequisites required.
Dec 6, 2015, 9:52 pm
#28
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
I was talking to a colleague today about his status, he has 76,720 PQM for the year. (all from SQ and NH)
He has the United Mileage Plus Select Visa from Chase with over 25k in spend.
He has 0 United Flights on the year.
What is his best course of action to earn status? Just fly 4 UA segments?
Can he convert his current card and get this waived? I too was a bit fuzzy on all of the prerequisites required.
He has the United Mileage Plus Select Visa from Chase with over 25k in spend.
He has 0 United Flights on the year.
What is his best course of action to earn status? Just fly 4 UA segments?
Can he convert his current card and get this waived? I too was a bit fuzzy on all of the prerequisites required.
Dec 6, 2015, 10:42 pm
#30
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
The existing Chase card waives the PQD requirement for Plat or lower -- the two make status just a PQM issue.