Jan 9, 2020, 6:43 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
See https://promotions.united.com/offers/premierstatus for your offer ( Now available for 2020)
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 UA MP elite status buy-up offers(for higher status than earned in 2018)-- 11 Jan 2019
2020 offers -- 10 Jan 2020
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)
PQM gap chart form earlier years, with PQDs requirements things have gotten more complex
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2019 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2019 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2019 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017-2019 Consolidated]
Will UA Grant 2020 EliteStatus if I am XXX PQM/PQS/PQD Short of Qualifying in 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 UA MP elite status buy-up offers(for higher status than earned in 2018)-- 11 Jan 2019
2020 offers -- 10 Jan 2020
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)
PQM gap chart form earlier years, with PQDs requirements things have gotten more complex
Code:
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
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2019 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2019 Consolidated]
Is it worth it making Premier Silver? [2017-2019 Consolidated]
Will UA Grant 2020 EliteStatus if I am XXX PQM/PQS/PQD Short of Qualifying in 2019?
2020 UA MP elite status buy-up offers(for higher status than earned in 2019)
Jan 10, 2020, 5:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: UA Gold, AA, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold, Hertz Gold, Avis PP, and others
Posts: 27
Jan 10, 2020, 6:12 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
What they **should** do is give discounted or at least reasonable offers to those who would have qualified for higher tiers in 2019 if the 2020 program was in place, I would think it's a no brainer if you believe the new scheme incentivizes higher spend and those same folks are willing to spend even more to lock themselves in...
Jan 11, 2020, 7:58 am
#36
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Delta Plat, UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 258
2019 Total PQM balance: 101,908
2019 Total PQS balance: 56
2019 Total PQD balance: $12,290
Qualified level for 2020: platinum
Thanks for your interest
Unfortunately, the account number you entered is not eligible for this offer or your information was entered incorrectly.
Account still shows 1k, but got the email of being platinum. Assuming it changes by the end of the month and maybe this site will work then.
2019 Total PQS balance: 56
2019 Total PQD balance: $12,290
Qualified level for 2020: platinum
Thanks for your interest
Unfortunately, the account number you entered is not eligible for this offer or your information was entered incorrectly.
Account still shows 1k, but got the email of being platinum. Assuming it changes by the end of the month and maybe this site will work then.
Jan 11, 2020, 12:17 pm
#38
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
In general, there seem to be a number cases I would have expected an offer but one was not received, odd. Perhaps the parameters have gotten more complex.
Jan 12, 2020, 3:09 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 22
Hello everyone -- First time poster, so apologies if there's a better thread. I'm a relatively new UA flyer based out of EWR. Made a career change mid-2019, and new job involves intensive travel. Flew enough to qualify for gold for 2020. Offered a platinum buy up for approx $800. Worth it? For job-related travel, I'm limited to economy fares for flights under 5 hours. Traveling is about 50% domestic (to US, Canada, and Mexico), and 50% to London and Asia. I'm mainly interested in making work travel a bit easier and less tiring, so looking for comp upgrades. Occasionally willing to upgrade using my own $. Trying to read up, but it's a ton of info to digest . . .
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Jan 12, 2020, 5:32 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,802
Hello everyone -- First time poster, so apologies if there's a better thread. I'm a relatively new UA flyer based out of EWR. Made a career change mid-2019, and new job involves intensive travel. Flew enough to qualify for gold for 2020. Offered a platinum buy up for approx $800. Worth it? For job-related travel, I'm limited to economy fares for flights under 5 hours. Traveling is about 50% domestic (to US, Canada, and Mexico), and 50% to London and Asia. I'm mainly interested in making work travel a bit easier and less tiring, so looking for comp upgrades. Occasionally willing to upgrade using my own $. Trying to read up, but it's a ton of info to digest . . .
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Gold will have a small impact. How much do you think you’ll spend on UA this year? Even though you fly economy, it you spend enough you could reach status the old fashioned way. Keep in mind that to me”intensive” means flying three or four times each month.
Jan 12, 2020, 8:21 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Hello everyone -- First time poster, so apologies if there's a better thread. I'm a relatively new UA flyer based out of EWR. Made a career change mid-2019, and new job involves intensive travel. Flew enough to qualify for gold for 2020. Offered a platinum buy up for approx $800. Worth it? For job-related travel, I'm limited to economy fares for flights under 5 hours. Traveling is about 50% domestic (to US, Canada, and Mexico), and 50% to London and Asia. I'm mainly interested in making work travel a bit easier and less tiring, so looking for comp upgrades. Occasionally willing to upgrade using my own $. Trying to read up, but it's a ton of info to digest . . .
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
I'm the wrong one to provide any feedback as to what Platinum out of EWR is like. That being said, having Platinum on your return flights might be valuable depending on your domestic activity. And, if you do buy up, you'll get some PlusPoints to play with that could give you some understanding as to potential upgrade options going TATL or TAPC.
David
Jan 12, 2020, 9:25 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
Hello everyone -- First time poster, so apologies if there's a better thread. I'm a relatively new UA flyer based out of EWR. Made a career change mid-2019, and new job involves intensive travel. Flew enough to qualify for gold for 2020. Offered a platinum buy up for approx $800. Worth it? For job-related travel, I'm limited to economy fares for flights under 5 hours. Traveling is about 50% domestic (to US, Canada, and Mexico), and 50% to London and Asia. I'm mainly interested in making work travel a bit easier and less tiring, so looking for comp upgrades. Occasionally willing to upgrade using my own $. Trying to read up, but it's a ton of info to digest . . .
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance here. I have infinite admiration for all the road warriors. Hope to be as savvy as all of you soon.
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2019 Consolidated]
Usually it's not worth it unless you are regularly buying tickets with multiple people (it allows selection of 8 x E+ seats).
Plat also provides some plus points but you'll need to find an acceptable way to use them.
Jan 14, 2020, 2:13 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Gold, peon everywhere else
Posts: 989
In that OPs case, I'm guessing it's the big PQM gap that's driving things...
Jan 14, 2020, 8:10 am
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Yes, 23k short of Gold would seem far away from the 15k threshold mentioned upthread.