best/fastest way to get status starting at 0
Oct 20, 2017, 12:19 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,409
Others likely have better info, but I thought a Pass Plus purchase got one elite status, maybe even 1K.
If you're certain to be taking these flights ~40 times a year, the $25k purchase might get you close, and elite status.
Also, if you have elite status on another airline, United may grant you a challenge, although racking up miles quickly enough on that route may be a bit of a challenge.
If you're certain to be taking these flights ~40 times a year, the $25k purchase might get you close, and elite status.
Also, if you have elite status on another airline, United may grant you a challenge, although racking up miles quickly enough on that route may be a bit of a challenge.
Oct 20, 2017, 1:20 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
Comped 1K status from PassPlus requires a $45,000 annual commitment and doesn't play nice with traveling on expense. It's an extraordinarily low-value status proposition except for GS, for which it can be outstanding.
Oct 20, 2017, 1:29 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,409
Oct 20, 2017, 3:12 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Comped 1K status from PassPlus requires a $45,000 annual commitment and doesn't play nice with traveling on expense. It's an extraordinarily low-value status proposition except for GS, for which it can be outstanding.
(Kind of remarkable that it's only $5k to go from 1K to GS through this program, however.)
Oct 20, 2017, 8:18 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: United
Posts: 34
Buy a business class's ticket to Fly UA82 to DEL and UA83 back. You'll be on a plane for 31 of 33 hours (2 hours in airport) and Silver when you get back 33 hours later (technically on your next leg that hits 4 segment minimum).
Did that trip once on an expired visa :-/
Did that trip once on an expired visa :-/
Oct 21, 2017, 5:17 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
So let's run through the options:
(1) Get a UA Explorer or UC card. This will get you group 2 boarding and a free checked bag. Beyond this Silver only gets you E+ seats at T-24 (which may or may not be gone on this routing) and Gold would get you E+ at booking. None of these status levels get you an F seat though you see an occasional CPU upgrade depending on the route.
(2) Great advice as F is sometimes quite reasonable by comparison - depends on route.
(3) This is an expensive proposition if you don't normally stay 75 nights at Marriott. However there is a shortcut (8 meeting room bookings) but that could also run $800+ or a lot more depending on where you live.
(4) I don't know if I'd call it fun but I think this is one of the best and cheapest fast-track options to Silver as we have recently seen many fares <$500. OF course you will have to endure 20+ hours of torture. You will also need a Chase United card if you want a waiver of the EQD requirements. IMO Silver is not worth much anyway given the Chase UA card is only $95/yr.
(5) Request a status match. If you have high status on another airline UA may agree to give you a fast-track qualification - worth a try.
Note that only option 2 guarantees an F seat. In fact as a 1K at sfo I rarely see free F even when using upgrade certs (RPUs). Probably a bit easier from PIT and maybe DEN but I wouldn't count on it.
(1) Get a UA Explorer or UC card. This will get you group 2 boarding and a free checked bag. Beyond this Silver only gets you E+ seats at T-24 (which may or may not be gone on this routing) and Gold would get you E+ at booking. None of these status levels get you an F seat though you see an occasional CPU upgrade depending on the route.
(2) Great advice as F is sometimes quite reasonable by comparison - depends on route.
(3) This is an expensive proposition if you don't normally stay 75 nights at Marriott. However there is a shortcut (8 meeting room bookings) but that could also run $800+ or a lot more depending on where you live.
(4) I don't know if I'd call it fun but I think this is one of the best and cheapest fast-track options to Silver as we have recently seen many fares <$500. OF course you will have to endure 20+ hours of torture. You will also need a Chase United card if you want a waiver of the EQD requirements. IMO Silver is not worth much anyway given the Chase UA card is only $95/yr.
(5) Request a status match. If you have high status on another airline UA may agree to give you a fast-track qualification - worth a try.
Note that only option 2 guarantees an F seat. In fact as a 1K at sfo I rarely see free F even when using upgrade certs (RPUs). Probably a bit easier from PIT and maybe DEN but I wouldn't count on it.