Jan 23, 2017, 5:01 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
In general, status at the time of travel ( or changing awards) is what matters.
-- bag waiver, boarding group, upgrade priority,award fee waivers, ...
Your status at booking does not carry over -- with one significant exception.
If you use your status at booking to get E+ access, but then drop to silver or general member, you will not automatically lose your E+ seats. They will stick until a seating sweep event occurs (such as aircraft change, some schedule changes, ...)
Cleared upgrades would not be affected but waitlists are dynamically based on real-time status
PlusPoints can only be use for segments departing prior to expiration. Partially exception -- trip with connecting segments, segment 1 is before midnight 31 Jan local trip but segment 2 (if a valid connection but not a stop) is after midnight, the PlusPoints can be applied to both segments as a single trip.
Archive thread: What happens when dropping status levels – E+ access, upgrade priority & .. {Archive}
-- bag waiver, boarding group, upgrade priority,
Your status at booking does not carry over -- with one significant exception.
If you use your status at booking to get E+ access, but then drop to silver or general member, you will not automatically lose your E+ seats. They will stick until a seating sweep event occurs (such as aircraft change, some schedule changes, ...)
Cleared upgrades would not be affected but waitlists are dynamically based on real-time status
PlusPoints can only be use for segments departing prior to expiration. Partially exception -- trip with connecting segments, segment 1 is before midnight 31 Jan local trip but segment 2 (if a valid connection but not a stop) is after midnight, the PlusPoints can be applied to both segments as a single trip.
Archive thread: What happens when dropping status levels – E+ access, upgrade priority & .. {Archive}
What happens when dropping status levels – E+ access, upgrade priority & similar Qs
Mar 24, 2023, 9:37 am
#46
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Aeroplan 25k, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 196
Status does need to be active the date of entry -- otherwise we could get up to 11 extra months of lounge access perks by making all the bookings on January 31 just before status level drops!
Mar 24, 2023, 10:10 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
For lounge access, the boarding pass and/or frequent flyer card needs to show the Star Gold status as being still valid on the date of entry to the lounge.
Mar 24, 2023, 10:22 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Mar 24, 2023, 10:39 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Bag fees are definitely not waived based on status at ticketing. Lounge access, seating benefits (e.g. trying to change seats) and luggage are all based on current status during check-in. As shown on every e-ticket receipt from United:
Baggage check-in must occur with United or United Express, and you must have valid MileagePlus Premier® 1K® membership at time of check-in to qualify for waiver of service charges for up to three checked bags (within specified size and weight limits).
You can replace 1K with whatever status above.
-RM
Baggage check-in must occur with United or United Express, and you must have valid MileagePlus Premier® 1K® membership at time of check-in to qualify for waiver of service charges for up to three checked bags (within specified size and weight limits).
You can replace 1K with whatever status above.
-RM
Dec 21, 2023, 2:30 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
What happens when one's status downgrades on February 1, 2024?
My understanding is that January 31st of each year is the last day of the status earned from the previous calendar year. The new status year will start on February 1st. So if someone is 1K that is scheduled to be downgraded to Gold, then what happens if the individual is returning on February 1st? I'm assuming the individual will be returning as a Gold rather than a 1K?
If the PlusPoints are expiring on January 31st, 2024, is it possible to apply it to a trip where the departure is before February 1st and the return is on February 1st?
If the PlusPoints are expiring on January 31st, 2024, is it possible to apply it to a trip where the departure is before February 1st and the return is on February 1st?
Dec 21, 2023, 3:08 am
#51
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
My understanding is that January 31st of each year is the last day of the status earned from the previous calendar year. The new status year will start on February 1st. So if someone is 1K that is scheduled to be downgraded to Gold, then what happens if the individual is returning on February 1st? I'm assuming the individual will be returning as a Gold rather than a 1K?
If the PlusPoints are expiring on January 31st, 2024, is it possible to apply it to a trip where the departure is before February 1st and the return is on February 1st?
If the PlusPoints are expiring on January 31st, 2024, is it possible to apply it to a trip where the departure is before February 1st and the return is on February 1st?
No. The PlusPoints cannot be used on Feb 1 because they expire on Jan. 31.
Dec 21, 2023, 3:20 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
Dec 21, 2023, 3:57 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,090
+Ps need to be valid on the day of travel in order to apply them either way. If PZ becomes available and a waitlisted UG does not clear, the easiest thing is to remove the request online and re-apply it - at which point it will clear right away. Talking to an agent at best IME complicates things. Now, if this is an UG where one of the segments has already cleared then indeed the only way to clear it is by calling.
The expiry thing cannot be circumvented by calling an agent. 2/1 is an edge case where in my experience the system still takes 1/31 points - YMMV. An agent will likely strictly apply the rules - my guess. So in that instance I would try and do it online. If it allows you to do it ... you are all set.
Dec 21, 2023, 7:06 am
#56
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,419
Typically you will retain your E+ seats. However, if there's an equipment change that results in a seat map shift then you may not retain those seats (or eligibility to reclaim). Basically UA doesn't proactively boot you out of your selected E+ seats, but if something else causes a seating shift don't expect to hold them.
Dec 21, 2023, 7:49 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,297
Typically you will retain your E+ seats. However, if there's an equipment change that results in a seat map shift then you may not retain those seats (or eligibility to reclaim). Basically UA doesn't proactively boot you out of your selected E+ seats, but if something else causes a seating shift don't expect to hold them.
Dec 21, 2023, 8:09 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
No, you won't always automatically be assigned a different seat. It can happen though. I have had both happen to me- retain my seat and sometimes assigned another. Yes, selecting a seat which would be common across type sub fleets would be a potential course of action- e.g. 7F when a 738 may swap to a 739, but if the swap was to a 320 then it may not. As a traveler you have no way to accurately predict if or when a swap would occur. It just happens, though closer in to departure you can be reasonably assured a type will stick. Further out, all bets are off. Babysitting reservations is key.
Dec 21, 2023, 8:51 am
#60
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
When the clock strikes at New Year, all PQF and PQP will reset to zero. Your previous year status lasts for additional 31 days, however!