1K status suddenly downgraded (then restored)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
1K status suddenly downgraded (then restored)
I earned 1K status at the end of 2017. Until two weeks ago at least (when I last flew and flight attendants knew I was 1K), the phone app and website both showed my status as 1K. But tonight, suddenly both say Platinum. Has anyone heard of this happening before?
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
#3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, MR Titanium
Posts: 458
I earned 1K status at the end of 2017. Until two weeks ago at least (when I last flew and flight attendants knew I was 1K), the phone app and website both showed my status as 1K. But tonight, suddenly both say Platinum. Has anyone heard of this happening before?
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,054
Almost certainly related to this saga -- I am confused about my UA 1K status and when it is effective
When you go to https://mystatus.united.com/ and select "Previous Year", what does it show?
When you go to https://mystatus.united.com/ and select "Previous Year", what does it show?
#5
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
This happened to me about five years ago. It turns out that the miles posted on united.com had been wrong, and some bean counter decided to audit the 1K accounts and drop those of us who had mistakenly thought that we legitimately made 1K. There was general outrage and this move was quickly reversed. Here's the thread: Random Elite Status Downgrade on UA's Website - Anyone Else?
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Did you change your address from non-US to US?
MP status incorrectly downgraded on address change - Options? [UA can restore status]
MP status incorrectly downgraded on address change - Options? [UA can restore status]
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
I called United this morning and spent some time on hold (I was able to prepare, cook, and eat breakfast before getting off hold). The guy talked to his supervisor, and neither one could figure out why I'd been downgraded, and they confirmed that I am 1K, and he said it was restored. I logged out and in again--still show as platinum. But I'll give it a few hours.
But now I worry about the flight I took last week. Did they calculate the miles at the 1K rate or the platinum rate? Is there an easy way to tell? I flew on one leg 2684 miles (L class), got 2013 bonus miles for a total of 4697 miles, and that became 5368 PQM. Is that right? I'd call them back, but it's not lunchtime yet...
ETA: I did not change address or anything like that. I did fly last week, but my boarding passes all showed 1K.
But now I worry about the flight I took last week. Did they calculate the miles at the 1K rate or the platinum rate? Is there an easy way to tell? I flew on one leg 2684 miles (L class), got 2013 bonus miles for a total of 4697 miles, and that became 5368 PQM. Is that right? I'd call them back, but it's not lunchtime yet...
ETA: I did not change address or anything like that. I did fly last week, but my boarding passes all showed 1K.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I called United this morning and spent some time on hold (I was able to prepare, cook, and eat breakfast before getting off hold). The guy talked to his supervisor, and neither one could figure out why I'd been downgraded, and they confirmed that I am 1K, and he said it was restored. I logged out and in again--still show as platinum. But I'll give it a few hours.
But now I worry about the flight I took last week. Did they calculate the miles at the 1K rate or the platinum rate? Is there an easy way to tell? I flew on one leg 2684 miles (L class), got 2013 bonus miles for a total of 4697 miles, and that became 5368 PQM. Is that right? I'd call them back, but it's not lunchtime yet...
ETA: I did not change address or anything like that. I did fly last week, but my boarding passes all showed 1K.
But now I worry about the flight I took last week. Did they calculate the miles at the 1K rate or the platinum rate? Is there an easy way to tell? I flew on one leg 2684 miles (L class), got 2013 bonus miles for a total of 4697 miles, and that became 5368 PQM. Is that right? I'd call them back, but it's not lunchtime yet...
ETA: I did not change address or anything like that. I did fly last week, but my boarding passes all showed 1K.
edit: I tried to match your numbers to the formulas, but couldn't; you might be mixing up the flight distance and dollars. The PQM should be simply flight distance. The PQD is based on the airfare line item in the ticket price. Then your net award miles are 5 * PQD + (bonus) * PQD, where bonus is 4 for Platinum, 6 for 1K.
Last edited by fumje; Apr 19, 2018 at 10:25 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
Just look at your PQD and net Award miles ('RDM'). It should be RDM = 11 * PQD for 1K. If it is RDM = 9 * PQD, then you got Platinum treatment. More simply, was your PQD 427 or 522? (Note: unfortunately distance-based RDM calculations went away a few years ago!)
edit: I tried to match your numbers to the formulas, but couldn't; you might be mixing up the flight distance and dollars. The PQM should be simply flight distance. The PQD is based on the airfare line item in the ticket price. Then your net award miles are 5 * PQD + (bonus) * PQD, where bonus is 4 for Platinum, 6 for 1K.
edit: I tried to match your numbers to the formulas, but couldn't; you might be mixing up the flight distance and dollars. The PQM should be simply flight distance. The PQD is based on the airfare line item in the ticket price. Then your net award miles are 5 * PQD + (bonus) * PQD, where bonus is 4 for Platinum, 6 for 1K.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 86
Looks like this falls under the "Specialty tickets" section of the below link which is 50% of miles flown for L-class tickets:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/united.html
For your bonus miles it looks like you earned based off of the Platinum level in the link below at 75% of base miles:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...r/bonuses.html
So you earned based off PLatinum instead of 1K
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I earned 1K status at the end of 2017. Until two weeks ago at least (when I last flew and flight attendants knew I was 1K), the phone app and website both showed my status as 1K. But tonight, suddenly both say Platinum. Has anyone heard of this happening before?
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
I did try calling the 1K desk, but they're closed until tomorrow morning. And I am curious tonight!
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
Did you earn it by flying 100,000 miles or the required number of segments and the $12,000 spent or did you earn it with a status match? Just asking because 2 years ago, I had achieved the requirement for the status match to Platinum but still saw myself dropped to Gold at the end of the status match period. Which was irritating as I had two international trips before they solved my problem.
At any rate, my status has updated and I'm back to 1K on my app and the website. Good thing I checked...
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I had 109,000 miles and change, over $12,000 in PQD, and 64 segments. I don't actually know what a "status match" is, but I certainly at least earned it the normal way.
At any rate, my status has updated and I'm back to 1K on my app and the website. Good thing I checked...
At any rate, my status has updated and I'm back to 1K on my app and the website. Good thing I checked...
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
I admit that in the past, I have sometimes sneered at the tapas box. But next week I have an international flight on Delta (because although I insisted on flying my preferred airline, the sponsoring company just ... ignored that), and when I'm sitting back by the bathrooms in the middle seat on a Delta flight, where my status is "driveway gravel," I'm going to miss that tapas box. And the drink.