Jan 2, 2019, 4:33 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
See https://promotions.united.com/offers/premierstatus for your offer (NOW OPERATIONAL for 2019)
In recent years, in January (typically the second week or so), UA has offered status-buy programs. Generally, UA has limited to no more than an additional 15K PQMs or 15 PQSs ( and similar limits for PQDs).
Past year programs
January 2013 17 Jan 2013
January 2014 13 Jan 2014
January 2015 12 Jan 2015
January 2016 19 Jan 2016
2017 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2016) 20 Jan 2017
2018 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2017) 24 Jan 2018,
2019 -- 11 Jan 2019
Buy up ≈ MAX(rounded PQM gap fee, rounded PQD gap)
Those rules seem to work >90% of the reported cases. (at least in 2017,2016,2015)
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017 Consolidated]
In recent years, in January (typically the second week or so), UA has offered status-buy programs. Generally, UA has limited to no more than an additional 15K PQMs or 15 PQSs ( and similar limits for PQDs).
Past year programs
January 2013 17 Jan 2013
January 2014 13 Jan 2014
January 2015 12 Jan 2015
January 2016 19 Jan 2016
2017 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2016) 20 Jan 2017
2018 UA MP elite status buy-up offers (for higher status than earned in 2017) 24 Jan 2018,
2019 -- 11 Jan 2019
Buy up ≈ MAX(rounded PQM gap fee, rounded PQD gap)
Those rules seem to work >90% of the reported cases. (at least in 2017,2016,2015)
Code:
PQM gap chart for earlier years
to Silver to Gold to Plat to 1K
1K $199 $299 $349 N/A
2K $349 $499 $649 $999
3K $499 $649 $849 $1,399
4K $649 $799 $999 $1,699
5K $799 $949 $1,149 $1,949
6K $949 $1,099 $1,299 $2,199
7K $1,099 $1,249 $1,449 $2,449
8K $1,249 $1,399 $1,599 $2,699
9K $1,399 $1,549 $1,749 $2,949
10K $1,549 $1,699 $1,899 $3,149
11K $1,699 $1,849 $2,049 $3,349
12K $1,849 $1,999 $2,199 $3,549
13K $1,999 $2,149 $2,349 $3,749
14K $2,149 $2,299 $2,499 $3,949
15K $2,299 $2,449 $2,649 $4,149
1K $199 $299 $349 N/A
2K $349 $499 $649 $999
3K $499 $649 $849 $1,399
4K $649 $799 $999 $1,699
5K $799 $949 $1,149 $1,949
6K $949 $1,099 $1,299 $2,199
7K $1,099 $1,249 $1,449 $2,449
8K $1,249 $1,399 $1,599 $2,699
9K $1,399 $1,549 $1,749 $2,949
10K $1,549 $1,699 $1,899 $3,149
11K $1,699 $1,849 $2,049 $3,349
12K $1,849 $1,999 $2,199 $3,549
13K $1,999 $2,149 $2,349 $3,749
14K $2,149 $2,299 $2,499 $3,949
15K $2,299 $2,449 $2,649 $4,149
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017 Consolidated]
2019 UA MP elite status buy-up offers(for higher status than earned in 2018)
Jan 24, 2019, 7:02 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,692
PQS:113
PQD: $21,400
1K buy-up: $2500
Very disappointing considering how far over PQD I was. I feel like I already paid for my buy up and then some. I emailed UA and they wouldn’t budge. So, called AA and they challenge matched me to Plat. Exec. for no charge. I’ve done 7 flights already and couldn’t be happier I switched. $2,500 money grab cost UA 22k in recurring spend.
PQD: $21,400
1K buy-up: $2500
Very disappointing considering how far over PQD I was. I feel like I already paid for my buy up and then some. I emailed UA and they wouldn’t budge. So, called AA and they challenge matched me to Plat. Exec. for no charge. I’ve done 7 flights already and couldn’t be happier I switched. $2,500 money grab cost UA 22k in recurring spend.
Jan 24, 2019, 10:37 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,019
Hardly rare. Flyers out of non-hub airports often have a choice of airlines. For example, United vs AA vs DL out of MSY. No legacy airline has much of an advantage there. Even LAX presents a traveler with choices. If I didn’t go to Houston a bit out of OGG, AA would be an option.
Jan 24, 2019, 11:10 pm
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Hardly rare. Flyers out of non-hub airports often have a choice of airlines. For example, United vs AA vs DL out of MSY. No legacy airline has much of an advantage there. Even LAX presents a traveler with choices. If I didn’t go to Houston a bit out of OGG, AA would be an option.
David
Jan 25, 2019, 6:34 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,692
Hardly rare. Flyers out of non-hub airports often have a choice of airlines. For example, United vs AA vs DL out of MSY. No legacy airline has much of an advantage there. Even LAX presents a traveler with choices. If I didn’t go to Houston a bit out of OGG, AA would be an option.
Jan 25, 2019, 6:05 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Programs: MYOB
Posts: 1,292
2018 PQM. 41,320
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
Last edited by xzh445; Jan 25, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Jan 25, 2019, 6:35 pm
#82
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
Jan 25, 2019, 9:31 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
2018 PQM. 41,320
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
David
Jan 26, 2019, 7:45 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,692
2018 PQM. 41,320
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
2018 PQD. 19
2018 PQS. $2726
Well over on PQM (thanks to 2 P Fare RT YYZ-HNL). Well over on segments.
$274 short on PQD. Buy up offer $300 for Silver. Was no status for 2018
All air travel spend - no CC
Thought about a late/end of year mileage/spend run but was too tired. If travel is expected to be similar, a few E+ seats and checked bags should easily cover that, right? AND I fidn’t have to subject myself to the nude-o-scope and other airport rigors at year end. (Let alone do a meaningless RT somewhere)
This seems like a no brainer to accept, no?
Jan 26, 2019, 8:01 am
#85
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Programs: MYOB
Posts: 1,292
Accepted. Thanks.
Jan 26, 2019, 8:03 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,692
Ah, understood. Now go spend $80 and get PreCheck for five years. One of the best investments you'll ever make in the world of travel.
Jan 26, 2019, 2:30 pm
#87
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Programs: MYOB
Posts: 1,292
Oddly enough, we got Pre Check on about 1/2 of our flights last year, and are not enrolled. But for $16/year....
Thanks!
Jan 26, 2019, 5:04 pm
#88
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,926
Instead of the $85 for PreCheck, might as well pay the extra $15 and get Global Entry for $100. They go out of their way to avoid explicitly saying that having Global Entry guarantees getting Pre on your boarding pass, but 99.99% of the time it's true.
Jan 26, 2019, 5:40 pm
#89
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I'm hitting 100% Pre Check but my wife was already hit 3 times with the random no Pre Check access in the past 2 years.
Jan 26, 2019, 9:29 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,692
Oh, and: If you have the right credit card, you'll even get reimbursed for the $85 or $100, so it's truly a no-brainer.